Ruth's World

Here's another taster from my Silhouette Art series, I hope you like them.  Keep an eye out for the boys ones coming soon.

Introducing my next project; 'Silhouette Art' by Ruth. It's a quick look at a series of children and teenage wall art that I'm working on.  The series will depict kids hobbies and interests in silhouette form...for your little girl who loves ballet...your sister who always has her head stuck in a book...your son who lives for his footie...your gorgeous niece who loves to ride her favourite pony...your little nephew who loves his dog and that son of yours who's always glued to his computer! So keep watching! Silhouette Art by Ruth - 8"x 8" Acrylic on box canvas

Here's one I've recently finished for my baby dancer!   My daughter loves to dance and she chose the subject and colours for this painting herself. Pointe Shoes by Ruth Kelly It's a little 6" x 6" x 1.5" on box canvas, for her bedroom wall and I plan to paint another matching one for her but I want to get cracking on one I've been itching to get to for some time first.  All will be revealed soon!

I'm stepping back into 'Family Tree' mode again for a bit.  My daughter says I have some very interesting people and stories in my family history and I have to agree.  I've been doing a bit of research along Fergus O'Ryan 's line because of an exciting piece of information passed on to me by my second cousin...Thanks Ted!   Apparently Fergus lost a brother during the war and here's how the story goes.... When hostilities broke out during World War II and Ireland had declared its neutrality during the early years of 1941, the Irish Government realised that they needed to become more independent and self-sufficient because most of its food requirements were being carried aboard allied vessels.  Seán Lamass, Minister of supplies at the time (a veteran of the 1916 Rising, the War Of Independence and the Civil War and who later served as Taoiseach) felt that the creation of an Irish merchantile marine, neutral and with no military aims, was necessary.  Thi

Alleluia! I'm finished 'Wedded Bliss' and I couldn't be more pleased and delighted with the way it turned out. There was so much detail in it that it nearly did my nut!  The curtain folds and tassels, the lace on the bodice of the dress, the intricate design on the headboard and bedspread, trying to capture the implied light coming through a window from the right, the shadows, the shading, I thought I'd never be finished.  But I love it so much that I hate the thoughts of handing it over.  It's like giving up my child for adoption!! 'Wedded Bliss', 16" x 20", Acrylic on Canvas I've chosen a 3" wide, smooth, satiny black finish, natural wood frame with a curvy crown profile to finish it off (thank you pictureframes.com ) and I must say, it is perfect for my painting.  What do you think? I think I might use the same frame for my ' Turmoil ' as well when I'm ready to frame it.  There it is, sitting pretty in the back

...still working on 'Wedded Bliss'.  I hope this young couple's marriage lasts as long as it's taking me to finish this painting; a very, very, very long time! I've been busy, busy, busy and haven't had the time to dedicate to it, but I'm back on track now and the young lovers are emerging at last, albeit slowly.  So here's a quick update on progress and I shouldn't be too long more finishing it.  Keep watching! 'Wedded Bliss' - A work in progress by Ruth Kelly

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