Happy Fall 

I am grateful to be writing this fall newsletter as I settle in for the winter months, enjoying my new visa status! After many emails, phone calls, letters, meetings, and digging my heels in, I was granted a one-year extension to reside in Ireland, with some hopeful options for the following year. This news came not a moment too soon, with lots of people and lucky stars to thank.

The other major development since the summer newsletter is that the show ‘Home is on the inside’ is hung and on view at Molesworth Gallery. Perhaps you live a bit further than a few hours drive? click here to see the show online. The work was well received and the highlight of the opening was a couple approaching me saying ‘These paintings have a twin peaks vibe’ which made me blush — thank god for the mask to hide my glee.

I am trying to find a way back into working after the buzz of opening the show, trip to Dublin, and feeling the emptiness of the studio. Slowly I am getting there, enjoying the process rather than fighting it. 

Life in lockdown part IV: Laying on my kitchen floor with lavender eye mask to stave off a migraine.

Exhibition news

The painting above has been shortlisted for the Zurich Portrait Prize at the National Gallery of Ireland. Click to view more from this series. 

-works will be on view November 13th through April 3rd 2022

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'Home is on the inside' opened at Molesworth Gallery

-on view until the 30th of September

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Three pieces in this years RHA 191st annual

-opening on the 27th of September 

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We Can Dance a show of six female painters with ties to West Cork

-opening the 24th of September

ie explains a painting

'Pelican lake'

Often the case when at my grandparents the adults started with a cocktail hour around 5 pm. Ice filled glasses were filled with wine slowly melting and being topped off with either liquid or more ice. After the nightly news and ‘the wheel’ (wheel of fortune) Grandpa would go outside to light the charcoal, we all migrated with him, chatting as the grill warmed up and hoping for some ‘tidbits’ of steak he always had as an appetizer. 

This one visit I had been galivanting around the lake shoeless and sockless all day long. A dark rim of dirt traced the perimeter of my feet. My dad, spotting this asked me to wash them in the pond. He asked me to come closer to the water so he could help me clean them off. I had no desire to get my feet wet in that cold water. As I refused, he persuaded, eventually he tried gently splashing water on my feet. I remember being so hell bent on not washing my feet I started to run away from him. I ran arms spread wide in the direction opposite him, not considering what might be in my way…such as a hot weber grill with porkchops nearly finished. I didn’t have time to turn or redirect myself. My left arm struck the hot grill and knocked it to the ground. I felt so foolish. I looked down where I had struck the grill with my wrist, just below the base of the thumb. The first thing I thought when I looked at my crispy  bubbled wrist was ‘that looks like chicken skin’. Then the pain set in. After that I can’t remember much, except my mom and grandma handing me ice wrapped in paper towels to place on it, getting me into pjs, and having me take childrens pain relievers.

After I was settled, dinner still went on that night, but I had a very special seat, in the chair pictured. A tray was pulled up to this giant chair that sat in the living room, I was at least five feet away from my family eating their dinner, occasionally throughout the meal they would ask ‘How are you doing?’ ‘Do you need anything?’. I was content. I was wrapped in one of my grandmas handknit blankets, eating dinner, and starting to feel the seriously awesome vibes of Benadryl kicking in.

Tips and recs

Feeling  woozy from so many issues when it comes to the state of the planet, the first four recs in this newsletter are focused on being eco conscious.

Zero Waste Chef is an Instagram account I follow. I am already nervous person enough, I have to be careful about how I engage with the frightening topic of climate change. I value how Anne-Marie offers simple, calm tips on how to waste less and make big changes with small actions.

Twothirds is clothing company making sustainable clothing that lasts, and has drastically less impact on the planet. Their long-term goal is to have zero impact, based on their current strategies they are getting there. I own a dress that is made with such craftsmanship I cant foresee when Ill need to mend it, but look forward to doing so as it is already a beloved item in my wardrobe. 

Speaking of repair...The Art of Repair is a brilliant, beautiful book written by artist and mender Molly Martin. This book highlights some of Molly’s favorite repairs she has made over the years and teaches basics techniques in doing this yourself. I recently mended a wool blanket with the help of her instructions and felt a great sense of empowerment in breathing new life into an old object.

I am a firm believer in small and big changes in helping fight climate change, and one of those ways is to generate less waste. With that in mind, I encourage you to frequent your local thrift store and score some good deals. I am always amazed at what people are willing to part with, and have furnished about 90% of my cookware, household items, and clothing this way. On top of generating less waste by buying new...I spend a fraction of the cost, get brands I couldn’t otherwise afford, and the money from these shops is going to great causes.

Lastly…a book because I couldn’t not

No One is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood. (Warning this book has the marmite effect)

I however, found it moving, relevant and highly relatable. A quiet theme of the book is Aunthood*, and the challenges and joys of this very special role in the family unit.

*I think of all the titles I’ve ever acquired, 'Auntie' has brought me the most joy so far. Shoutout to Annie my niece who just became a big sister to my new niece Rosie!

Recipe box

I caught wind of this via the recipe club podcast, which has become a delight to listen to. I know it sounds weird, disappointing and potentially awful but, I beg you to try it out. It's a revelation in taste and amazement in its ease to make.  

Here is the recipe I originally followed from the Roasted Root.

Chickpea Brownies // 9 Servings

Ingredients

• 1 can chickpeas drained and rinsed
• 2 eggs (or 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed meal with 6 tablespoons of water)
• 50g cocoa powder
• 3 TBLS Coconut Oil
• 1 tsp Baking powder
• 133g Brown Sugar (or coconut sugar)

*highly recommended optional add-ins: nuts or extra chocolate 

Make

1. Place all ingredients (sans mix-ins) in a blender and blend until smooth.
2. Stir in add-ins if using
3. Pour into a prepared square baking dish
4. Bake at 180C/350F for 25min 
5. Cool at least 20 min. 

Wishing everyone a peaceful heart and calm mind.

Thank you for reading!

-ie

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