Are you sewing seeds?

I've told you to dare to imagine and to go plant some seeds. They are both very important. Are you doing it? You never know where these things will take you. Its like a secret journey. Unlike the journeys we take towards fulfilling our dreams, these are totally unpredictable. Let me explain.

Yesterday when writing my blog I looked up a link to Angela Jupe to post for you. I'd tried to find her email when I returned from Ireland in October, but had failed. For some reason this time all sorts of information about her showed up in my Google search. I must have included "garden" in the search this time. Funny how one word can make all the difference in the world. Think of the word "love"...

Immediately after posting my blog, I emailed Angela. I always wanted to thank her again for allowing us to paint in her garden. How great to have a way to finally reach her! I told her that some of my students were painting her garden and I also sent her to my blog to read what I had written. A few short hours later I had a letter from her.

I can't tell you the excitement that I felt the rest of the day. Reconnecting with someone, especially someone in a different country that you think you'll never speak to again. She was very excited to hear from me and wants to see pictures of the paintings my students are doing. She would like to post them on her website! Wow my Wednesday night ladies, talk about exhibiting! This won't be a one month showing!

I told you from the start I didn't know where blogging would take me, but I was up for the ride. Its been just a few short weeks, maybe not even a full two and its opened new things for me. Don't be afraid to take those unpredictable journeys. Sometimes they'll reap a smile in your heart at a time you might need it most...

Angela Jupe's garden

Angela Jupe's garden was magical.

(http://gardens.ireland-guide.com/bellefield.garden.8143.html)

(http://www.angelajupe.ie/)

Photographs can't capture its size, ambiance or beauty. I won't even try. I did however want to give you a glimpse of this hidden paradise. I hope it inspires you.

When my students saw the painting I did in the garden, they immediately wanted to paint it too. My class chose two different images and are currently working on capturing the essence and peaceful serenity they felt by merely looking at my photographs. I'm amazed at how well they are interpreting it. Each one's work is different, yet they are all depicting a haven that draws you in and makes you wish you could just go sit on their bench.

Imagine a peaceful morning, the sun warm on your shoulders, a cup of hot tea in your hands and a fragrant stroll down her many paths. Overwhelmed by her beauty, you'll sit on one of the many benches to contemplate all that is good and beautiful with the world. (a wonderful reprieve from the morning news) You'll be thankful for this time in your life and having this opportunity to be exactly where you are. Your mind empties. Calm surrounds you. Your spirit is lifted.

I wish to give you a quiet moment in the garden...

Awfully awful, part 3

I awoke before everyone else the next morning. It was early, but I couldn't stop thinking about this "cottage" we arrived at in the dark of night. Awful Offaly was in my head. We hadn't seen anything on our drive in. I couldn't contain my curiosity so I tiptoed to the bedroom window to peek behind the curtain. How interesting. Plantings, flowers, trees, could this be a garden? It was hard to tell; the window was at ground level and there were pots and plants everywhere. I went out into the grand room. Directly across from each other were two enormous glass doors where red flowered curtains were drawn. One one side I could see our car and many other stone buildings. Oh my, it reminded me of Perouge, France! Had I landed in a medieval paradise? The other side revealed walkways, stone stairs, cerulean blue iron filigreed gate and railing, large urn-like pots with white hydrengeas and directly facing me across the large lawn in formal fashion was a fantastic glass house! My body tingled with excitement. I didn't know what to think.

Everyone was sound asleep. I wanted to shout for joy! I wanted to share my excitement! I wanted to go outside and walk around! My nightgown seemed inappropriate, plus I couldn't open the door...

I went up to the loft where Ciaran was sleeping to look out that window. Why wasn't anyone waking up! How could they sleep with all this interesting stuff around us? The loft window was really a door. It opened out to a small deck which overlooked a very large garden. In the garden was the most interesting gazebo I've ever seen. It will no doubt be the subject of a future Susan Roux painting. The garden was filled with trees and plantings that it obstructed my view. I saw only parts of this expanse and I wanted to see more.

The property was magnificent. The garden, though mid-October was still splendid. We later found out at a distant pub that the owner, Angela Jupe, is the best master gardner Ireland has. Awful Offaly? It turns out that Offaly is Irelands best kept secret! It is old, medieval and very beautiful.

I asked Angela if she minded if I invited other artists to come paint with me in the garden. She was overjoyed. Turns out she had just purchased one of Mat Grogan's (www.matgrogan.com) paintings six months prior. She was excited to meet him.

...and so this was how this wonderful little gem became the sight where I finally got to paint with Irish artists. The highlight of my trip!

As for the terrible accent, it seems the man from the pub who gave us directions had probably been in the pub awhile drinking a few too many Guinness's...

(Photographs by Michael McAllister)