The most colorful time of my year.

It’s been a pretty busy year with work and a new human who is just 5 months old.  

I love this time of year. It reminds me of plum pudding my mum used to make with Guinness and mixing it with a wooden spoon to make a wish. Lighting a candle and leaving it in the window to welcome strangers. My Irish Christmas is very different to my American one. My house is full of color which inspired the color in these illustrations. 

So here is to disconnecting and enjoying time with people we love... and also FaceTiming home on Christmas Day. 

The illustrations are a mix of watercolor and gouache.

Irish Tales 3 : The Children of Lir

Long ago in ancient, there Ireland lived a King and ruler of sea called Lir. He had a beautiful wife, called Eva, who gave him four children – eldest son Aodh, a daughter called Fionnula and twin boys, Fiachra and Conn. When children were young, their mother Eva died. Lir and children were very sad, and King wanted a new mother for his young sons and daughter, so he married Eva’s sister Aoife who, it was said, possessed magical powers. Aoife was jealous of the King's Children..."

  http://irelandofthewelcomes.com/the-children-of-lir/

Cursed from Children to Swans.  

Irish Tales : Deirdre of the Sorrows.

In honor of all things Irish and Saint Patrick I thought it would be fun to illustrate some Irish book covers based on our folklore and myths.  

First up is Deirdre of the Sorrows. 

A girl-child was born to Siobha on the night of a full moon. Her proud father, Feidhlim cradled her gently in his arms and named her Deirdre. He took her to the druids and asked them to foretell his infant's future. The druids looked towards the stars and glanced sadly at the newborn. "What do you see?" Feidhlim asked the druids anxiously. They answered "This child will cause great trouble. She will grow up to be the most beautiful woman in Ulster but she will cause the death of many of our men."..... Read more

Background color 1.  

Background color 2.