Happy hibernation season!

Since my last newsletter I have felt a few shifts in my life, all for the best I think. My biggest personal annoyance has been a slug who wandered over a painting while I slept, leaving a track of shiny juice — so really life is grand. I am taking a grounded approach to the holidays this year, trying to keep things simple, and maintain daily habits that allow me to keep chipping away at new paintings.

Prints for sale!

On view

Cover Versions — RHA, Dr. Tony Ryan Gallery

     An exhibition of artworks that have been on or in Gallery Press publications for more than half a century.

Outhouse Art Auction — Online Art Auction, Nov. 20th

     A signature fundraising event hosted by Outhouse to raise funds to maintain and enhance the centre as a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community in Dublin and Ireland.

Tyranny of Ambition — Highlanes Gallery in Drogheda

     A group show of contemporary painting in Ireland.

Winter Group Show at Molesworth Gallery opening December 3rd, featuring this winter scene.

ie explains

All good children, screen print, edition of 10, 2022

paper size 24x24cm image size14x14cm

My grandpa always stayed in bed a little later, especially when at the lake. My grandma however would get up earlier than everyone, and be in the kitchen making coffee, taking onion bagels out of the freezer to defrost, and squeezing oranges for my grandpa to wash his pills down with.

Eager with happiness, and excitement I would wander to her in my nighty and watch her prepare a breakfast tray for him: always a cup of coffee in a blue China cup, a smattering of pills (some necessary, others like his garlic pill taken because someone on the Today show said it was a good idea), and a small glass of fresh squeezed orange juice.

We’d enter the bedroom, and he would smile to see us, I would jump up on the bed and climb up to him, enjoying the slippery sensation of the silk sheets. The size of their California king felt more like an island than a bed. I would eye the tattoo on his arm, and occasionally poke it with my finger — he would turn his head and bark, which became a fun game. My sister might be tagging along too at this point. He’d give us a grin and say something along the lines of ‘How are my little darlings?’ and we’d giggle. Then he’d take a sip of coffee and hold out his hand. I would then place one pill at a time into his palm singing ‘1,2,3,4,5,6,7 All good children go to heaven. When they get there, they will Yell, ‘Gee Papa, You’re Swell!’ When I finished, he’d pop them all in his mouth and wash them down with the OJ. I remember thinking ‘I am glad he takes seven pills because otherwise I couldn’t sing the song.’

Recs

Since my last newsletter I have been to a movie theater…TWICE! I saw Hallelujah at Act One in Acton last month. It’s an incredible portrayal of a creative life, the creative process, and how one’s art slips into its own life leaving the maker as only the vessel the piece came through.

This last week I saw The Banshees of Inisherin in Bantry — it was dark, simple, and hilarious. If you can see it in a theater or on a large screen it’s well worth the effort.

Lastly on the film front, it’s a weird one, but I found it delightful in content and visuals, highly recommend The Love Witch.

Chris Ballew’s album Soul Unfolded has been a dose of good vibes. I came to discover this album via a favorite podcast of mine, Labyrinths.

Listening to How the Grinch Stole Christmas put me in the holiday spirit yesterday.

I have fallen in love with all the clothing products Organic Basics makes.

Eat this

Pumpkin Oat Bran Muffins

45 min start to finish

12 muffins

I have been making these muffins for years and during my stint as a baker, they made their way on to the menu having a cult following.

I think making them without the chocolate chips is a bad idea. I think eating them slightly warm, with obscene amounts of peanut butter is a good idea.

I also have made a very delicious version with applesauce in place of pumpkin and dried cranberries instead of chocolate chips.

Ingredients

• 355g      Oat Bran

• 118g      Brown Sugar

• 118g      Flour (Im a big fan of using spelt)

• 9g        Baking Powder

• 1.5tsp    Mixed spice or Pumpkin pie spice

• 1 tsp     Salt

   

• 235g      Canned pumpkin (or cooked pumpkin)

• 118g      Milk (plant or cow)

• 2         Egg whites, lightly beaten

• 29g       Vegetable oil

• Handful or seven of chocolate chips

Make

1. Preheat oven to 425F/180C

2. Prep a 12 portion muffin pan with either liners or veg oil.

3. Mix oat bran, sugar, flour, baking powder, spices and salt in a large bow in a bowl.

4. Whisk pumpkin, milk, egg whites, and vegetable oil together until smooth.

5. Gently fold wet into dry, then add chocolate chips.

6. Spoon mixture into muffin tins (12 muffins total).

7. Bake for 20 minutes, allow to cool slightly before eating.   

Thank you for reading, and I appreciate you subscribing.

Take care, see you in November!

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