One hill further – cnoc amháin níos faide

This year I was honoured to be asked to create the artwork for the cover of Oisín Leech’s debut solo album ‘Cold Sea’.  Much of the album was written and recorded in Inishowen and is a stunning collection of music which beautifully captures the atmosphere and essence of this peninsula at the top of Ireland.

I’ve given this painting the title ‘One hill further’ to echo one of his songs, beautifully supported by musicians Steve Gunn, Tony Garnier, and local fiddler Roisin McGrory from Culdaff.

Oisín on One Hill Further:

“There’s both a darkness and a beauty in the Irish landscape – in this song I embrace both sides. It’s this counterpoint that inspired me to write the song,” Leech explains. The track is about the fact that change happens slowly and then one day jumps up on you and takes you by surprise; it touches on themes of love lost, love gained, love cherished, fatherhood and family. In some ways it’s a lament sung to the sea about the reassurance of love. The ocean responds and offers a sense of belonging.

The lyrics are about missing someone who has moved on – someone who can be glimpsed on the horizon, but who cannot be reached.” (Klofmag, 2024)

I think the space created in this painting relates to Oisin’s words.  The heavy scored textures through the oil created curved and twisted linear shadows which shift and move through the day making it a painting that demands time to be taken in fully. Time to remember the pathways and detours of life, what we’ve let go of and what we have gained.

• Original Irish Landscape Seascape oil painting
• Donegal landscape painting
• Péinteáil Tírdhreach Dhún na nGall
• Original artwork
• Oil on canvas.
• Painting size  26 x 26 cm
• Framed size (approx.) 43 x 43 x 3.5 cm
• Off white limed wooden frame, soft grey mount with glass.
• Price includes frame.