8 minute read
Rose
Title of Work
A Touch of Heaven
Advertisement
Near and Far. Close up it goes into the heavens or maybe the heavens are coming down.
Have you ever noticed how the light can play tricks on your eyes? I sometimes think that the Slieve Foy Mountain range can look nearer to Rostrevor on some days than others.
I think that evening light can be illusive. It’s a time when it can flip between making the mountains feel near and far within minutes. This was painted at one of those magical times on the Rostrevor shore. I wanted to study and capture how this occurs.
Title of Work
Evening Glow
Acrylic on canvas. ( 10” x 12”)
The Ross Monument is seen in the ‘distance’ and has connections to its ‘nearby’ village, Rostrevor. A smaller monument was erected in Kilbroney Parish Church by troops who had served with Ross at the Battle of Maida, Italy in 1806. Robert Ross was a key historical figure who was born in Rostrevor in 1766. As a major general (1812) he directed the burning of the United States Capitol and the White House as retaliation for destructive American raids into Canada. He died 2 years later at the Battle of Northpoint, Maryland. The Monument, a 100 foot granite obelisk, was cleared of bramble and restored in 2008 by Newry and Mourne District Council. It was first erected in 1826 "on a hill within view of his heartbroken widow’s home", according to a 2013 report.
I have been painting in Oil, Acrylic and watercolour for over 50 years. Having initially no formal training I attended recreational classes and workshops over the years until finally enrolling in Newry College and obtaining a diploma in Art and Design.
The Church of Ireland has featured in many of my paintings over the years mainly because of its artistic setting but it was only when I frequently visited a friend in St. Bronagh's Flats that I came to appreciate the view around the back.
My first painting was of what I later found out to be the "Tree of Life" window so I thought that this new picture depicting both the "Tree of Life" window and a growing tree was an apt symbol of the Church of Ireland and its outreach to other communities in Rostrevor. My thoughts are particularly of the late Rev Jameson and his work with the senior citizens and he would have loved the plans for the bicentenary.
See also the baptismal roll on the wall behind the font in the baptistry … that work was done by Gladys Mulligan.
Title of Work
Have a Positive Attitude
Gladys inscribed this poem by Walter D. Wintle. Walter lived sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century but there is little information about his life.
Reflecting on the words calls to mind an exhortation from Saint Paul recorded in Philippians chapter four, verse eight.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.
I am an artist who works in acrylic. I completed a degree in fine art and then continued my studies to complete a masters in fine art from the University of Ulster.
My inspiration comes from personal experiences and the local environment of Warrenpoint and Rostrevor.
Title of Work
Kilbroney’s sweet smelling Roses
Medium Acrylic on canvas
Dimensions 20 cms x 20 cms
As part of my personal research for this exhibition I went to have a look at Kilbroney Church. I remember the beautiful roses as I entered the gate. The vibrant red and yellow colours and sweet smells stayed with me yet took me to a place far away.
I used a palette knife to convey the texture to show the beauty and form of the roses. The roses were a joy to paint and I hope this is shown in my painting. I liked the idea of looking at the environment surrounding the church building to answer the theme.
I am self taught. I make work for domestic use and also for exhibitions and competitions. I sometimes dye, paint, stencil and print or otherwise alter my base fabric. I use a lot of free machine stitching.
Medium Textile
Dimensions 30 x 30 cms
The wonder for children of the clear skies of Rostrevor.
Title of Work
The Wonder of the Sky
Medium Textile
Dimensions 30 x 30 cms
St Bronach’s life could be represented by the red rose.
Title of Work
Red Rose of Love
Killian has enjoyed painting from a very early age, and taught Art during his career as a schoolteacher. He specialises in local area landscape scenes, using oils as his favourite medium. He continues to enjoy his artistic activities, and has contributed with enthusiasm for many years, too many to mention, exhibitions with Rostrevor Art Group in Rostrevor, Warrenpoint, and Newry.
Title of Work
Christmas in Rostrevor
Christmas in Rostrevor by Killian McEvoy, featuring Kilbroney Parish Church, was a special commission by Rostrevor Post Office in 2011, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its establishment in Bridge Street, Rostrevor.
It was first issued as Christmas Card, then as a set of Limited Edition Prints. It has also been used to promote various community based projects.
Thanks to Kevin and Mary Hanna, Rostrevor, for kind permission to reproduce the image.
A sample of the Christmas Card from the 30th Anniversary project is included.
Rostrevor Light Orchestra rehearse in the Parish Church for their Christmas Concerts. They used this image on the front cover of their Programme Brochure for their first Concert. They used an updated image of the same scene, on the front cover of their next Christmas Concert Brochure two years later.
Walter McVittie born in 1946 learned art from McDonald Ross and has a lifetime interest in art history. He was on the select vestry in Kilbroney Parish Church for 30 years and at one time together with his wife Gladys served as caretakers for the church.
With regard to the bicentennial he states, “Kilbroney Parish was formed out of St Paul’s due to the rise in population and the centralisation of the town around the square, and so Saint Bronach’s was formed out of Saint Paul’s”. Walter says that his paintings speak for themselves.
Dimensions 2 x 4 ft
The Old Testament Exodus story, about Moses striking a stone in the desert at God's command to reveal a spring, at a time when the tribe had run out and were starting to suffer from thirst.
Title of Work
(Exodus 17:1-7)
I have worked in Ceramics for the past 40 years, marketing my own designs and running workshops for all ages and abilities.
During covid with all the restrictions happening I met up with a few friends in each other’s gardens and started experimenting again in watercolour and acrylics and so it continues.
Title of Work
QUIET SPACE. Inside and Out
MEDIUM. Acrylic on canvas
Dimensions 40 cms x 30 cms.
The theme Inside and Out appealed to me.
The old and the new, the inside and out ... when looking at photographs of Rostrevor I combined snaps of the inside of the church and outside in Kilbroney Forest Park. The landscape, bringing together the ancient church, modern stained glass and architecture. These spaces at certain times can be peaceful havens comforting and healing, I hope I have managed to convey the quiet and calm which can be very elusive everyday. as we meander through the river of life.
I am a trained art and design teacher specialising in three dimensional design and ceramics. I work in multimedia as well as teaching.
Title of Work
Window in Reflection
Medium Multimedia
Dimensions 45 cms x 55 cms
This was inspired by a photograph I took which showed our Lord at the top of the Ascension window taken through the reverse of the window.
