Watercolours
Brid Clarke - Watercolours
Nuala Clarke - Mixed Media
Pat Clarke - Photographs

In Spring, to experience the vibrancy of new growth I visit Howth and the south-facing cliff walk on Howth Head in particular - I walk among vivid colours of gorse, whitethorn, fuchsia, all new life and energy. In recent years this walk has been enhanced by Fingal Council. On Easter Sunday this year, this walking, seeing, and sketching experience was heightened by meeting friends and exchanging greetings with the ever-widening mix of people in cosmopolitan Dublin.

Autumn I associate with Malahide, the changing colours of the Castle woodlands, and the tree-lined Dublin road, and I also find comfort in the village as the days shorten. September this year was a wonderful month to paint outdoors; especially memorable was a visit to Donabate to look back at the village from the other side of the estuary. As I waited for the sun to move more westward and cast its shadows on the village, I experienced a cold shiver, watching repairs to the rail viaduct - thinking of what might have been. Sunset brought an awareness of stillness and birdlife and silver grey wet rivulets left by the falling tide. High ISO settings allowed me to photograph night shots without flash; although one flash did momentarily disturb a heron!
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There is red and a colour somewhere between butter and ash, behind it a baby-blue and the white-grey we're used to calling the colour of clouds reflected on the surface of a sea which crashes curling and foamy over a diluted green turquoise below here.
“I confess I find such a place not lonely or depressing but inspiriting. You are thrown at the same time back upon yourself and forward against the mystery and majesty of nature.”
- The Way That I Went, Robert Lloyd Praeger, 1937- writing about Nephin Beg, North Mayo
Later; my bare feet register the black rocks as warmer than the others and spiky barnacles keep me above the high tide mark.
Later still; teams of rain roll over the hill, while crows circle, flip and dive above the damp, twilit street. I make my way back to the house where they're waiting for me, dinner ready and fire lit.
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An invitation to Italy in May to mark the 20th anniversary of the founding of the European Association of Property Managers was an event not to be missed. The original signing of the agreement between professional organisations (of the then 12 member States) was held in Florence in November 1989 on the day of the fall of the Berlin Wall. That day 20 years ago was a great occasion. It was the culmination of agreement on a new EU organisation and on the day it was linked to an impassioned speech from the leader of the German organisation about the then unfolding events in his country.

I am happy to say the Organisation continues to flourish and to promote learning, expertise, understanding and co-operation.
Being in Venice in spring-time was a new experience. I was amazed and surprised with the impact fresh green could have on a city which is overwhelmed with ornate building and water… water which reflects all the splendours of the city and its myriads of human-kind.
"Evening - Venice" maybe captures a glimpse of my continued pleasure of being a delighted observer of Venice and of diversity and beauty.
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“I always enjoy my Studio exhibition, it's a time to talk and share
hospitality.
I hope you can come and visit at some time during the week.”
Brid Clarke