Ruth's World

Here's my latest 'Sneaky Peak'. A commissioned work; two newlyweds sharing a kiss and a toast to wedded bliss!   Bride and Groom relaxing on the matrimonial bed and enjoying a glass of champagne following their marriage. Sooo many tassels and folds in this one and along with the light and shadow to try to capture, it's proving a real challenge so far but at the same time I'm enjoying painting it. I've just started work on the bedspread which is proving equally challenging because of the abstract pattern; almost like a painting in itself.  I'm also looking forward to tackling the bride's dress, with its intricate lace and detailing. Yep, this one is going to take some time to finish.  I'll keep you posted!

Here's something I finished recently for the Kiddies. I decided to paint it while I was waiting for ' Turmoil ' to dry because I had been asked by a few people to create some children's wall art, so this is No.1.   I call it 'Little Ballerina' and am going to call the series 'Ruthie' (my nickname when I was a kid).  It'll be my little 'by the way' project in between the serious stuff.   Keep watching for No.2...all suggestions welcome! Little Ballerina by Ruth Kelly Acrylic on box canvas.  Little Ballerina by Ruth Kelly

Turmoil by Ruth Kelly .  (Oil on canvas board - 16"x12") Finally my first painting in oils is finished but believe it or not, will take the next 6 months or so to dry properly before I can varnish it.  I'm still not sure about painting with oils. I do think the result is a softer, more dreamy painting but the waiting game is so frustrating! And now for the profound insight beneath the external ...the meaning behind my composition. Like many others, my life has been strewn with numerous tumultuous events throughout the years.  Crisis and turbulence which at the time I struggled to overcome and was imprisoned in my sadness. On many occasions I would distance myself from my torment with a visit to somewhere solitary where I could lament and wallow in my despair and endulge in the pleasure of being sad. Thankfully I realised how gratuitous my melancholy was and managed to get through every storm and come out stronger the other side. This painting

I've decided to try my hand at Oil painting as opposed to the Acrylic paints that I normally use.  I like the 'soft' effect that can be achieved with oils.  They take much longer to dry than acrylics which allows you more time for blending but on the other hand, it's a pain in the ass waiting for it to dry before you can go back in to work on another layer.  I'm not sure yet which I prefer.  I'm finding the oils a bit frustrating because of the long drying time.  Now I know why oil painters have several works going on at the same time.  I guess I might start work on an acrylic piece as well while I'm waiting for the oil to dry.   Anyway, here's a look at the progression on the oil piece that I'm working on.  I've chosen to use a limited colour palette of black, purple and white, just to see what I could do with it.  It will be a silhouette seascape when it's finished, just something I thought might be a little different to try.  I hope it

 This is a small 10" x 8" acrylic painting of my now 16 year old son's first pair of shoes. I found them while doing a clear out at the weekend and decided to paint them before I throw them out. Now they're immortalised forever! I called it '3..2..1...TAKE OFF' as a reference to the little embroidered space rocket on the fronts of them and the implication of my son's first 'take off' in his new shoes.  I must try to find my daughter's first shoes and paint them too. I enjoyed painting these so much that I may paint a whole series of baby's shoes...watch this space! 3..2..1...Take Off!  by Ruth Kelly  

I've finished the 'Blue Rose' at long last. I've been struggling to find the time to get down to finishing it over the last few weeks and although I had plans to add a bit more to the background, I've decided to call it quits and hand it over to the Ennis Art Bomb Project . 'Blue Rose' by Ruth Kelly I used my lovely gold paint again for the background which was difficult to photograph because of its shiny finish and there are hints of floating leaves in there too which don't show up either but you get the idea. Why did I choose a blue Rose as a subject?  Well, a natural blue Rose doesn't exist in reality and because of this, for some they have come to symbolise mystery and longing to attain the impossible.  Some cultures believe that the holder of a blue Rose will have all his or her wishes granted.  So I painted it in the hope that whomever becomes the owner of my Blue Rose will have all their wishes come true! 'Blue Rose' A

My latest piece is something I'm working on for the Ennis Art Bomb Project , an event due to take place during the Ennis Street Festival on 5th, 6th & 7th of July to promote Art & Crafts within and around Ennis, Co.Clare, Ireland.  The intent is to share free Art & Crafts wi th the public in order to develop a closer relationship between the community and art within Ennis and the surrounding areas and also to create a visual impact in Ennis during the festival. The concept is brilliant , with various locations around Ennis town being 'bombed' with paintings, sketches, poetry, s c ulptures, jewellery and lots of other great pieces, which will be free to take by whomever is lucky enough to happen upon them! Here's some items from a previous bombing . So if you find yourself in Ennis, Co.Clare during the Ennis Street Festival , keep an eye out for a fantastic free piece of art! Below painting is the beginnings of what wi

Here it is...' Golden Tide '. I didn't have any profound inspiration for this one I'm afraid, other than a desire to use my new Gold paint.  I couldn't get it to photograph very well in the frame either; the background is much darker in reality but my camera kept trying to lighten it (I know, a workman always blames his tools) and I used a greeny turquoise hue on the tide which isn't showing up in the photo at all.  Anyway, I hope you like it. Golden Tide by Ruth Kelly

Here's a quick peak at what I'm working on at the moment. I bought myself a new gold paint for a treat (a toss up between that and a bottle of wine , paint won but went back for the wine too!...and believe it or not, the pa int was more expensi ve than the bottle of wine. ) I wanted to try it out so this should be a golden nightime beach view when it's finished, I hope...if I can get the shine right on the moon and the reflections. Hope to have it finished soon so check in to see it in a few days, unless it all goes t*ts up!  

I've been trying to concentrate on doing a bit more painting lately, so the writing is on hold for a bit and I'm going to work on a few new pieces over the next few weeks. I have too many on my Paint List and I want to knock a few off if I can. So this time, I decided to paint a little something in time for Valentine's Day! I'm afraid I have a predilection towards all things drippy and sappy at times and this is one of those times. This one I call 'Lotsa Love Behind The Red Door', and yes, I have a red front door! ... a nd this is where I'll end my spiel at a risk of sounding schmaltzy. Enjoy! Lotsa Love Behind The Red Door by Ruth Kelly

I've finally finished 'Baby Boy'or 'Baby Blue'...not sure what to call it yet. It's a portrait based on a photo of my son, asleep in the crook of his daddy's arm in the corner of the couch. He's fifteen now and almost as tall as his dad so I wanted to paint something to remind me of when he was a small fry. I chose to paint it in black & white although it was a color photo but I introduced some colour in the blue blanket and on his lips. I just wanted to try something different to see what it might turn out like. I'm not sure if I like the colour splash effect or not, what do you think?