Celtic Irish Lovers Set of 6

Description

CONANN OF THE FIANNA Link to print

Conann is a warrior figure from Irish myth and legend. This is one of my more decorative works and I keep the original artwork over my own fireplace. It took much longer than my other representational artworks but it was worth the effort.

THE KISS BENEATH THE SKY OF STARS Link to print

DIARMUID AND GRAINNE Link to print

The tale of the pursuit of Diarmuid and Gráinne is one of a number of epic but sad tales known as the ‘Great Sorrows of Storytelling’.

Diarmuid Donn Mac Duibne, ‘the master and charmer of all women’ was, buy all accounts a very beautiful young man who took the heart of a certain Gráinne, a girl of great beauty herself -but betrothed to Fionn Mac Cumhaill, the legendary leader of the greatest band of warriors ever to roam Ireland, known as the Fianna Éireann. Fionn had no intention of letting go of such a beautiful bride-to-be and relentlessly pursued the pair all over the countryside until finally Fionn and his army caught up with them and their escort, but peace was agreed between the warring factions. In his heart Fionn was still angry and unforgiving and when Diarmuid was grievously wounded during a wild boar hunt Fionn allowed him to die. He went to draw water for him -for Fionn had the gift of healing -but each time Fionn let the water slip from his fingers rather than heal the gaping wound. So it was that the beautiful and brave Diarmuid was finally parted from his beloved Gráinne.
I first drew this as a pen and ink work back in 1973 and reworked it, together with the sister work from that earlier period, Conánn of the Fianna, for my book ‘Érinsaga’ published in 1984.

THE DREAM OF NUADA Link to print

I painted this when I was living in Connecticut, USA, and while I had a model for the female figure I had none for the male so I dug out my Thin Lizzy photo file (I did a lot of artwork for Irish band Thin Lizzy around that period) and drew on guitarist Scott Gorham as inspiration –the likeness has often been spotted by Lizzy fans and I have a laugh when they tell me they have copped the similarity. Never mentioned it to Scott. Yet!

The painting illustrates an episode in my book ‘The Book of Conquests’, published in 1978 and depicts the fateful tryst between Nuada of the Silver Arm, king of the mystical Tuatha Dé Dannan, and his war-goddess lover, the Mórrigán, a sorcerous shapeshifter. She is here in human form to seduce Nuada and extract his secrets and plans for battle.

CROÍ na CEISTE. Link to print

My own grandfather, the artist Thomas FitzPatrick and his daughter Mary were superb illuminators -and Mary especially was part of the Celtic Revival with her use of richly decorated Celti- influenced motifs in her scroll-work and illuminated addresses.

I have always loved the ancient abstract non-figurative illuminated Celtic Monastic masterpieces and have tried many time to emulate them.

This one is titled ‘Croí na Ceiste’, translated as ‘The Heart of the Matter’ and is  a tribute to the many women in my long life, including my amazing daughter, who have sustained me through thick and thin.

I regard it as one of my best and most original designs and it was prepared with the assistance of that wonderful genius Jeff Adams and colourist John Quigley.

ERI AND HER LOVER Link to print

Celtic Irish Fantasy Art Print from my original painting ‘Eri And Her Lover’. This original artwork is a painting from my book THE SILVER ARM based on the Celtic art, myths and legends of Ireland.