It’s been a long time since my last residency… 5 years, in fact.
I was supposed to be here in 2020, but we all know what happened that year. So, this week, I found myself arriving in Listowel on the #13 bus, almost in tears, my heart aching with anticipation.
In a way, it felt like I’d been gone for so very long, and in another way it felt like only last year that I was here, painting every day, having a scone and coffee at Lynch’s Bakery, take out lunch from Lizzie’s, a bowl of soup for dinner at The Horseshoe and a Guinness at John B’s. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone and catching up with what life has been like here in Listowel during covid and beyond.
The great news is that things seem to have returned to (a relative) normal. The streets are busy with traffic and shoppers. Lynch’s Bakery opens a whole hour earlier (yippee!) I have noticed that places are closed more than they used to be, so I’ll pay attention to store and restaurant hours. But boy, am I glad to see them all again!
Already we’ve seen lots of good friends as they’ve popped into the gallery to say “Hello!” And Mary popped by to bring a yummy treat! Yesterday several people called and messaged to tell us the quarterly Horse Fair was going on up on Market Street. What a treat! There were horses, ponies, miniature horses, a donkey and puppies!
It’s so very special to be welcomed back this way! I am always amazed by how much people go out of their way to make sure we experience all that Listowel has to offer.
This year I am here with Terry Shipley. She’s hard at work in the studio right now, creating gorgeous ceramic beauties…stay tuned for updates on her creations!
I will be diving deep into my Thin Places series. I’ve been working on this body of paintings since I came home from my very first residency in 2016 (Can it really have been 6 whole years ago?) To deepen my understanding of Thin Places I took a 12 day tour of ancient sacred places in Ireland and came directly afterward to Listowel. It was such a moving and introspective journey through Sligo, West Meath and Doolin, spending time with several Cairns, Ring Forts, Holy Wells, a Brehan School ruin, St Colman’s Hermitage in The Burren and many other beautiful, ancient sacred places. I hope to find more here in Kerry. I bet we all know who might be able to help… Ahem, is Mr Damien Stack, world renowned Listowel and County Kerry historian and most extraordinary furniture store owner, around this month? I sure do hope so!
Until I catch up with him, and everyone else, I’m in the studio, writing and painting.
Can’t wait to see everyone!
Hey Ya’ll, I’ve missed you so much!
We’re back, and we’ll see you soon!
exciraanddelira 