artist inspiration – Derval Freeman

Artist Interview

Here is an in depth interview about my art that I did recently with Ruan Shields recently.

The beginnings of a new work. Quick rough sketching and mark making with pencil. The drawing is an opportunity to be expressive and free. They are inspired by my walks and trails I map as I walk. I am also inspired by the rocks and boulders that I come across scattered in the landscape ofContinue reading “The Small Ones”

Making Space for Pink and Order

This is one of the fun parts of making the painting. One of the expressive parts for colour, as the values form from lights into darks. It’s almost like the colour is dancing along with the under drawing’s lead.

Light Movement

Crying Elephant

From a recent hike, here are the things that catch my interest. The rings of the tree showing so many years and the little ‘elephant eye’ in the center as if it were in a moment of nostalgia.. This just came to mind for a brief moment.

What Survives

A large scale work in progress.. It’s a question of what survives and what must give in.

Incognito 2019

So thrilled to be a part of this

Killing Pink

Having my son Aaron home from Berlin the past week, I was excited to show him my new work in my studio. He made some interesting observations and one that worked for this particular painting titled Killing Pink. So I revisited it once more with some extra blue and now I think it feels moreContinue reading “Killing Pink”

Sparrow Hawk Mountain

Trying to fix a painting.. inspired by thoughts and visual awareness from my hike today..well yesterday now.. terrains, tree felling, January sunset, tree stumps, wild winds over Lough Tay and spying on sparrow hawk trying to fly against the winds.. .

Observer – Creator.. the Same

I am the observer, less the creator.. This is where my painting is taking me right now.. It may look like an entirely different artist’s work but if you really look at it, it’s not.. I’m letting go of order and expectation. That being entirely from my own expectation and criticism within my own institution..Continue reading “Observer – Creator.. the Same”

White World

Moving on with this current work in progress and this newly begun small little painting, I hope for the colour to return soon in this white snowy February we are having right now..

Featured Art Work : : Ledge

My painting ‘Ledge’, Oil and mixed media on canvas, 61cm x 61cm is currently being featured in Irish Artist -Irish Artist Info My inspirations for this painting derives from my many trips up into the open landscape of Wicklow National Park. Its vast sense of space and atmosphere with the constant moving and ever-changing skiesContinue reading “Featured Art Work : : Ledge”

Before the Water Falls

Some thoughts for my next work. I stood at the brow of the waterfall over powerscourt that day, looking at Djouce Woods and taking it in within its own environment. That was the ground down there that I picked up most of the pine needles which are incorporated into my recent paintings. With the SugarContinue reading “Before the Water Falls”

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Sections of detail from a work in progress. All my new work is inspired by my walks and explorations of the Wicklow mountains and forests.

The Start

Part of how I begin a painting The woods is a place I am mostly drawn to. I have a need sometimes to bring some parts of it back to the studio and include as part of my painting. Here is how I begin the painting. Lots of thought goes into the composition before I start.Continue reading “The Start”

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I am working off this quick sketch I did yesterday out in on a hike. I am also mixing in different elements from video and pictures I took on my phone for brief reference. The colours and movement in the landscape are so vibrant these past few days

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Two new paintings I’ve began the last 2 days. There was so much colour in the landscape today. It’s been so dark and cold for weeks sometimes hard to get going with even just a ‘normal day’. I walked in the woods today with the sun to my back and my shadow in front. Continue reading “270116”

Teeth

Something for my painting. I am drawn to parts on the landscape that give a sense of fragility. In time unfortunately these remaining trees will be chopped down like the rest.

Friction Of Thought

Hiking through Djouce woods today and ended up here. Not a sole to be seen as on a normal day this place has lots of people around. It was a great experience to get the space to myself and really take it in..