Blog - Cora Murphy Irish Landscape Artist

BlogIrishArtist2019-12-19T10:12:10+00:00

coramurphyart

Contemporary Landscape Painter
New Oil Paintings and Limited Edition Prints released directly to my mailing list.
**Weekend Special** Every Friday

20% OFF this week as we ‘Begin Again’. Limite

20% OFF this week as we ‘Begin Again’. Limited Edition Print available in Medium, Large & X-Large. 🌍 Shipping available.
As we set about about the business of re-commencing our lives, it feels fitting and - hopeful - and chimes with the painting's inspiration - "The stormy times are not forgotten, but behind us now as we begin”. Wherever you are, I wish you courage, confidence and peace as you Begin Again. I hope this time has enriched your life and re-enchanted your connection with our lovely world.

Thanks for following along here and for all you do, to help me do what I do 💖

#irishart #irishartists #beginagain #sendlovehome #weekendspecial #coramurphyart

20% OFF this week as we ‘Begin Again’. Limite

20% OFF this week as we ‘Begin Again’. Limited Edition Print available in Medium, Large & X-Large. 🌍 Shipping available.
As we set about about the business of re-commencing our lives, it feels fitting and - hopeful - and chimes with the painting's inspiration - "The stormy times are not forgotten, but behind us now as we begin”. Wherever you are, I wish you courage, confidence and peace as you Begin Again. I hope this time has enriched your life and re-enchanted your connection with our lovely world.

Thanks for following along here and for all you do, to help me do what I do 💖

#irishart #irishartists #beginagain #sendlovehome #weekendspecial #coramurphyart

20% OFF ‘Begin Again’ for ‘Back to Work Week

20% OFF ‘Begin Again’ for ‘Back to Work Week’ as we all Begin Again. Good Luck everyone xx We are STILL in it together 💖
In response to LOTS of feedback I have discounted ‘Begin Again, Daybreak Over Down Patrick’ by 20% this week. It’s available in Medium, Large & X-Large and ships worldwide.
As we set about about the business of re-commencing our lives, it feels fitting and - hopeful - and chimes with the painting's inspiration - "The stormy times are not forgotten, but behind us now as we begin”. Wherever you are, I wish you courage, confidence and peace as you Begin Again. I hope this time has enriched your life and re-enchanted your connection with our lovely world.

Thanks for following along here and for all you do, to help me do what I do. I am deeply grateful to you for ALL the ways you have supported me and my work though this exceptional time. I am sending HUGE hugs and very best wishes to each of you.

xx

Cora

#beginagain #ireland #newbeginnings #irishart #irishartists #artfromireland #homedecor #oilpaintings #contemporaryirishart #contemporaryirishlandscapepaintings #coramurphyart #interiorart #artforinteriors

**Weekend Special** 20% OFF All at Sea Given the

**Weekend Special** 20% OFF All at Sea

Given the times that are in it and our scheduled release into the 'new normal' on Monday. My Weekly Weekend Specials this week can only be All At Sea.
These past months have been, at best, 'topsy turvy', but there has been opportunity too, to pause a minute and think about our lives and how we want to spend our time.

All At Sea was painted during a time of change and uncertainty, in response to days spent in solitude on the shoreline. Looking out to sea and documenting it in layers felt like a meditation – a sort of roadmap in to serenity. And a way forward.

For me, more than ever, I want to paint and to be All At Sea in the best possible way! I went for my first swim over in Dunmore (beyond Clonakilty) last Friday - it was VERY fresh and VERY fabulous. Wherever you are, I hope you get to see the sea soon and feel sand in your toes and a sense of joy and connection in your life and with our lovely world.

#irishart #irishartists #studiolife #seascapes #interiorart #wip #coramurphyart #home #love #contemporarypainting
#abstractlandscapes #largepaintings #artforinteriors #modernirishart #contemporarylandscapepaintings #artforinteriors #interiorsinspo #bigart #artfromireland
#interiors #inspiration #art #contemporaryirishpaintings #mymurphy #weekendspecial #coramurphyart

**WEEKEND SPECIAL** 20% OFF All at Sea this weeken

**WEEKEND SPECIAL** 20% OFF All at Sea this weekend! This is an XL size framed (with me at 5ft2” for scale!). Medium, Large and XL available for Worldwide Shipping.

#weekendspecial
#irishart #irishartists #studiolife #seascapes #interiorart #wip #coramurphyart #home #love #contemporarypainting
#abstractlandscapes #largepaintings #artforinteriors #modernirishart #contemporarylandscapepaintings #artforinteriors #interiorsinspo #bigart #artfromireland
#interiors #inspiration #art #contemporaryirishpaintings

**GIVEAWAY** Tis Thursday!! Which means it's almos

**GIVEAWAY** Tis Thursday!! Which means it's almost time for my WEEKEND SPECIAL! EVERY Weekend is Special so I do a 20% OFF 1 X Special Print Each Weekend. ⁠
Win a Box of Artcards: Guess which one of these 15 Limited Edition Prints is this Weekend 20% Off Special. No 1 being top left, No 15 being bottom right! Capiche?!⁠
- Please comment below to win! ⁠
Winner announced 5pm today!!!

At Reen Roe, Oil on linen 28cm x 20cm, 2010⁠ ⁠

At Reen Roe, Oil on linen 28cm x 20cm, 2010⁠
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#fromthearchive #seapaintings #paintingsfromthesea ⁠
#allatsea #coramurphyart

'A Postcard from the Sea' oil on linen, 40cm x 50c

'A Postcard from the Sea' oil on linen, 40cm x 50cm, 2016. ⁠
A few years back I went on retreat to @CillRialig Artists' Residence in Kerry armed with a HUGE piece of linen. I think it was c. 8 metres long! I had every intention of painting out of my skin. ⁠
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As is most often the case - what I set out to do on residency rarely materializes. As the work tends to take it's own tangents and have it's own will!⁠
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Reality landed a few days later when I found myself crawling around the floor making many, many separate paintings! It was an incredible way to work - akin to writing a diary when you have a LOT to say and your pen can't move quickly enough. Making the smaller pieces came naturally - they almost spat themselves out! I loved the immediacy of them - it felt like taking dictation! Whereas attempting the bigger work felt terrifying and sickening. Heavy! Absolutely leaden!⁠
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These days I am working on large paintings and - settling into a rhythm that is still beyond my comfort zone. In the in-between years I've learned ideas need to land at the right time, in the right place - and they never, EVER, EVER come fully formed. Picasso said 'Inspiration exists but it has to find you working' - he was right! ⁠
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'I bear in the tide', oil on canvas, 100cm x 120cm

'I bear in the tide', oil on canvas, 100cm x 120cm, 2016 - marked a shift in my painting both in style and sensation. The painting and indeed it's title was inspired by Maya Angelou and her poem 'Still I Rise'. It is about standing in your power in spite of fear and knowing who the f**k you are! ⁠
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Prior to this painting, I think I had been doing a lot of 'earning my stripes' as a painter. Having never been to art school, I graduated slowly into my comfort zone over years. This painting was a bellow forwards - shrieking 'If I feel the sea is yellow - then it can be yellow!'. ⁠
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I remember the exhilaration of over-painting the safe layers beneath and the absolutely power-ful flow of the process. It was magic. It represented a sea change in my work. A stamping of feet and a marking of territory - I knew, I knew the sea - but more than that I was starting to know (and trust!) myself and the act of this painting marked a recognition of my own place in my work. Bearing in and believing in it - harnessing it's power and moving forwards. ⁠
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'Still I Rise' is a massive, powerful poem - made more poignant today as #BlackLivesMatter gathers momentum. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Mayo Angelou and so many black people who have inspired or guided my work. I will be doing my part to share opportunity, educate myself and to ensure a more equal world. ⁠
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Please See full text of 'Still I Rise' in first comment. ⁠
#fromthearchive #coramurphyart #contemporaryseascapes #irishartists #artfromireland #home #artforinteriors #seascapes #ibearinthetide #abstractlandscapes #coisfharraige⁠

'Becoming' Oil on canvas, 50cm x 40cm, 2016⁠ Thi

'Becoming' Oil on canvas, 50cm x 40cm, 2016⁠
This week I am digging in to the archive to talk about paintings I have made in response to the sea. Becoming is a good place to start as it was painted in response to Reen Roe Strand while I was on residency at @Cillrialaig Artitsts' residency in Kerry. That was the spot where I really started looking at the sea. ⁠
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I was attempting to capture the power of the sea in heavy gestural, textured layers while keeping the palette fresh and uncluttered. It was painting in many layers and was one of those ones that kind of ended suddenly with a sigh. It was the first of my paintings, I think that felt - to me - like tearing a snapshot directly from the scene. ⁠
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I have vacillated in and out of this heavy gestural style over the year. These days, I tend to make my paintings in lots of loose layers - building atmosphere and suggested texture as I go. But the essence of what I want from my work remains the same, I want them to be restful but stimulating and to feel fresh and fizzy - brimming with all that good sea energy. ⁠
I am, now as then, holding on and letting go. ⁠
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#seascapes #therollingwaves #reenroe #ciarraí #CoraMurphyArt #fromthearchive #irishartists #contemporarylandscapepaintings #largeart #artfromireland #artforinteriors #coisfharraige #abstractlandscapes #largepaintings #artforinteriors #modernirishart #contemporaryseascapes

She’s the one!!! Between Tides is this Weekends

She’s the one!!! Between Tides is this Weekends 20% OFF Special!! Offer closing at midnight. Available in Medium, Large & X- Large sizes. Shipping worldwide 🌎 💙🌊🙏 THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT #Ledgebags
#irishart #irishartists #studiolife #seascapes #interiorart #wip #coramurphyart #home #love #contemporarypainting
#abstractlandscapes #largepaintings #artforinteriors #modernirishart #contemporarylandscapepaintings #artforinteriors #interiorsinspo #bigart #artfromireland
#interiors #inspiration #art #contemporaryirishpaintings

*WEEKEND special* 20% OFF * I've been thinking ab

*WEEKEND special* 20% OFF *

I've been thinking about ‘Between Tides’ lately as we move forwards into the unknown and an utterly changed world. One of my larger paintings, it was made when I was between collections and a bit directionless.
I often say my work is a mix of holding on and letting go, Between Tides was painted in many, many layers over months. It was frustrating, and a joy to make too. It revealed itself to me slowly and was perhaps my biggest lesson in holding on and letting go. In my work (and my life!) - and I expect yours too - ideas don't come fully formed. The motion of moving forward helps me gain momentum. ‘Between Tides’ taught me that ‘neither here nor there’ is some place too – often a good place where new ways and ideas evolve. It reminds me that forwards is a direction and to always have faith in the future.
#irishart #irishartists #studiolife #seascapes #interiorart #wip #coramurphyart #home #love #contemporarypainting
#abstractlandscapes #largepaintings #artforinteriors #modernirishart #contemporarylandscapepaintings #artforinteriors #interiorsinspo #bigart #artfromireland
#interiors #inspiration #art #contemporaryirishpaintings

**Weekend Special** 20% OFF Between Tides. Avai

**Weekend Special** 20% OFF Between Tides. Available in Medium, Large & X-Large sizes. Shipping Worldwide.
Here’s an X-Large (40" x 33") with me (5ft 2") for scale. I’m really hoping to be in the sea this weekend. Sending you all the Friday feels. I hope you have a lovely weekend and do something that makes you smile. Thanks as ever for all your support. 💙 🌊
#irishart #irishartists #studiolife #seascapes #interiorart #wip #coramurphyart #home #love #contemporarypainting
#abstractlandscapes #largepaintings #artforinteriors #modernirishart #contemporarylandscapepaintings #artforinteriors #interiorsinspo #bigart #artfromireland
#interiors #inspiration #art #contemporaryirishpaintings

20% OFF Lough Carra this weekend! Every weekend is

20% OFF Lough Carra this weekend! Every weekend is Special, so I’m doing a Special Every Weekend! Each Friday, one of my Limited Edition Prints will be reduced by 20% (expires Midnight on Sunday!). There are 28 to choose from - so your fave will be on special before the end of the year!! 🙏💚
Prints available in Medium, Large & X-Large sizes. Shipping 🌎
#irishartists #studiolife #contemporary landscapepaintings #oilpaintings #interiorart #irishlandscapepainting #irishart #homedecor #coramurphyart #mymurphy #contemporarypaintings #abstractlandscapes #irishinspired #artfromireland #bigpaintings

Weekend Special! 20% OFF Lough Carra this weekend

Weekend Special! 20% OFF Lough Carra this weekend 💚 Every Weekend is special, so I’m creating a Special EVERY Weekend!! Each Friday, I will reduce 1 of my Limited Edition Prints by 20% 💚There are 28 to choose from so your favorite will be on Special Offer before the end of 2020! Artwork is available in Medium, Large & X-Large sizes and ships worldwide. Keep your peepers peeled 👀 💚 . #irishart #home #homedecor #artforinteriorsesign #interiors #irishlandscapepaintings #contemporarylandscapepaintings #abstractlandscapes #irishpaintings #coramurphyart #mymurphy #ireland #landscapes #irishseascapes #loughcarra #maigheo #themayolakes

I miss my hairdresser! Like almost as much as I mi

I miss my hairdresser! Like almost as much as I miss the sea 🌊 ! This photo seems like a minute ago when I was signing prints in my studio. I’m delighted to be back and working away behind closed doors. I am hoping to host some Open Studios before too long but for now I want to say hi and welcome to all the new followers.
A little about my own background. I’m Cora, a contemporary landscape painter based in Cork City, Ireland. I came to art relatively (very!) late – I didn’t start painting until I was 30 – it’s not THAT long ago! I moved back to Ireland in 2008 to paint full time, following 15 years overseas. I am an oil painter and enjoy using cold wax. I tend to work in series – often doing an extended residency at a location while making a body of work in response to that place. A few years ago, I took a step back from the gallery network so that I would have more time to paint. I now release my new collections directly and exclusively to my mailing list.
The best artist statement I ever read said ‘I like painting, it makes me happy’ and that is why I do what I do. It’s not always easy, but it is usually that simple. I think anything is possible. .
Thanks for following along 🙏 I’ll be sharing work in progress on stories as the new series develops. Do please drop a comment below letting me know where you came from and what you like to do. Happy weekend, almost x Welcome aboard💚
#irishart #irishartists #studiolife #seascapes #interiorart #artwip #irishart #irishartists #studiolife #seascapes #interiorart #artwip #coramurphyart #home #love #contemporarypainting

Sea Sceals Part II: ‘The Thundering Silence of t

Sea Sceals Part II: ‘The Thundering Silence of the Sea’ was painted while on residency @cillrialaigarts artists’ retreat in Kerry. At that time my focus was making large paintings in the interior of the boglands at Emloughmore. It’s a dreamy location in the heartland of Kerry with lots of wild life for company. As is the way of it, often what I set out to do on a particular residency takes a tangent!
Each day, I would take a walk on Reen Roe beach closeby. It’s a glorious stretch of coastline and as it was mid-winter, I had the expanse to myself. While walking, mulling over my own minds meanderings, it struck me how in spite of my solitude the sea was SO loud! When I actually listened to the crashing tides – it was absolutely bellowing! I couldn’t hear anything else. The violence of it was startling - the elements demanding our attention – before whispering on to the shoreline at my feet. How I had somehow been ambivalent to it was startling.
A solo beach walk seems a sort of moody splendid isolation – as if we are the only living thing - when in fact the land and sea are latent with incomparable presence and energy. It’s fairly engaging company so I’m never lonely. Upon return to the studio I made ‘The Thundering Silence of the Sea’ in layers of oil paint. It was satisfying and definitely scratched that itch, helping to document that time and place.
FYI during the storms of January 2014 so much sand was washed away from Reen Roe beach that the remains of a 4,000 year old pre-historic forest (now petrified tree stumps) was revealed - so definitely worth a trip when we find our feet again 💙

#irisharts #reenroe #ciarraí #home #painting #coisfharraige #thesea #seasceals #coramurphyart bio

I can not wait to see, feel and be in the sea! Aft

I can not wait to see, feel and be in the sea! After family, the sea is the absence I am feeling most in this time of Covid. The Sea literally fills up my senses - the sight, sound, smell, salty taste and heart-halting, startling splash of it feel like a vital life force that I can plug right in to.

I have had a few revelatory- or what a great friend terms ‘coming to Jesus’ - moments by the side of (or in) the sea.
I’ll share some here in coming days in a short series that might as well be titled ‘How I became a Landscape Painter’. ‘At Inchydoney’ above was painted following my first trip to the wonderful West Cork island as a VERY shaky novice driver. I had just moved to Cork following 15 years of city life overseas and was clueless about driving, navigation and life in Ireland. I had no sense of direction but my inner compass, like the tide brought me home to the sea.
I remember very clearly walking the beach with an inner knowing I was in the right place and time and having a wonderful new sense of feeling ‘at home’ at home.
My art making prior to returning to Ireland had been conceptual - chairs bound up in masking tape anyone?! And while painting was a key part of my practice, with some hindsight and a lot more experience, I can read much of that early work as sharing a central theme of ‘Longing’. There was a seismic shift in those white sands at Inchydoney that day in 2008 when I fell forward’s into Belonging.
Shortly afterwards ‘At Inchydoney’ spilled out onto the page. My first intuitive, responsive landscape. It was a celebration of the sea - and in truth a celebration of me. I didn’t know what I’d do or how I’d do it but I knew I could go forwards from here.
In many ways I feel I made a home for myself literally in the landscape. As a constant tap root of inspiration it harnessed, or maybe tethered me, and gave me a genre I feel comfortable but not hemmed in by, there’s nutrients and much nurture for growth as a continuum.
The sea is so central to my work - it has underpinned my work and given me buoyancy in my life. 💚 🌊 Oh I cant wait to see the Sea More Sea Sceals tomorrow. ‘At Inchydoney’ is available as a M, L or XL Print.

20% OFF ALL Limited Edition Prints and Paintings u

20% OFF ALL Limited Edition Prints and Paintings until Monday! Click on link on image. Shipping 🌍 worldwide!
Send 💚Home.
#irishart #home #oilpaintings #irishartists #loveseascapes #abstract #art #contemporarayirishlandscape

Send ❤️HOME! Art Card Gift Boxes from €15. O

Send ❤️HOME! Art Card Gift Boxes from €15. Old fashioned correspondence means so much now. Let your loved ones know you’re thinking of them, or have a box delivered to them so they can spread the love. Or #designhack a little #selflove and frame them 😉 Eitherway spread the love like it’s a virus 💚 Or a cure 💚.
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#sendlovehome #artcards #irishart #home #love #covidcorrespondence #covidcure #letterwriting #ireland

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