Chirp!

So I have just discovered the joys of Twitter. Having never understood the whole thing really, I've been bitten by the bug. Or perhaps pecked by the bird. The standard of work on there by other artists is humbling, to say the least, and the instant gratification of the response time is going to my head a little. It's a tad dizzying to get followers in Italy when you're living comfortably on the Aul Sod.

So to shamelessly self-promote, please please pretty please come follow me on Twitter. I'll be your best friend.

"On Writer's Block"

As a painter and writer, I have experienced my fair share (and more!) of writer's/painter's block. Using a bit of acrylic paint and canvas, I decided to transcend the very concept of writer's block itself by making it the subject of my work. This is guaranteed to make me feel creative and empowered (until the next bout of block strikes with a fiery vengeance).

Painting is My Muse

Painting without inspiration was something I used to avoid. I genuinely believed that I needed to feel like painting in order to paint. I slowly came to the realisation that this wasn't truly the case. After all, I doctor even on days where I'm not at my most doctorly!

I started out by doodling with my paints in front of the television. I found that painting, in and of itself, made me feel more creative and that some of my best work has come out of this habit. It's also enjoyable, therapeutic and something I never regret. I'm a firm believer that every painting is a stepping stone, so even my absolute scribbles will lead to better things.

As such, I paint every day, rain or shine, however I feel. Painting, in and of itself, is my muse.

When my paintings take on a life of their own

So I took out a nice blank canvas, poured some acrylics on a palette and got painting. I started out with a plan to make a kind and lonely farmer tending his land. Somewhere along the line, his sky turned a shocking shade of magenta, his fields turned into aquamarine mountains and the farmer himself morphed into a dancing bride...

I have tried to stick to my plans, but my art really loses something in that process. It's almost like trying to breathe life into something that's long gone. If I could capture that in a painting, I'd be one happy woman, but thus far it eludes me.

So far, I just look forward to 'meeting' my paintings as they come from the end of my brush/cocktail stick/butter knife.

Colourblind

Dear readers, it only came to my attention in recent years that I am mildly red/green colourblind. I discovered this in medical school when I was asked to demonstrate use of the Ishihara tests. I couldn't read a thing! In spite of this, I paint. A lot.

I'd love to see what everyone else sees in my artwork. Through my eyes, the colours are pretty good.

Either way, it hasn't stopped me yet!

"Jemima in a Field"

"Jemima in a Field" is an oil painting on deep-edged canvas. I'm told that it appears as though Jemima was placed in a field by an external force. Readers, I can only assure you that Jemima walked there of her own volition (even if there were other places she'd rather have been)! This piece is mainly about quiet contemplation.

"Someday"

"Someday" is one of my oils. I painted it on paper without any liquin (not a fan of liquin anyway). Believe it or not, this was my third draft. I wanted to simultaneously capture the despair of a difficult situation and the hope that things might not always be that way. The window is small and high up, but the guy is tall and skinny, so he'll get there eventually!

I paint...

Hello, dear people of the internet. My name is Emer Ahern, an Irish painter. In my spare time, I also work as a doctor (which I love). I've always been fond of creating things and enjoyed the artwork of others.  Whether I'm painting or writing, feeling wonderful or dreadful, I tend to just lash my thoughts and emotions at the page.

I never really shared my works with anyone until recently and feedback has been mixed. The strength of some of the positive comments, though, has really touched me and I've felt encouraged and inspired to get the stuff out there.

What I make tends to be on the abstract side of things, and it'll never be "fine art" as such, but I've been told it's interesting...

So I'm going to use this blog to discuss the paintings and possibly to rant once in a while! My work can be viewed at www.emerahern.com.