......and the living is easy!

It's looking like we might have a real summer here in Doolin! Not at the moment, actually, but our opening weekend, the sun was splitting the stones! We hope it continues, and that you find time to stop by the Market while you are spending time out and about!

Our latest project, the Lightening Strike Gallery, has been a big success! This unique art gallery presents the work of a different local artist on the Saturday of each week on the stage of the Russell Brothers Community Centre. The gallery hours coincide with the Doolin Saturday Market and Craft Fair, giving local residents and visitors an opportunity to view the work of local artists while visiting the Market.

So far the gallery has featured work by Doolin artists Corinna Schroeder-von Frihling and Kathy Sambrook. This Saturday we are delighted to feature the art of Vicky Lennie. Originally from Edinburgh, Scotland, and a graduate of the Glasgow School of Art, Vicky Lennie has been living and working in West Clare for 13 years. On moving to Ireland in 1996, explorations of her new home led her to a series of land and seascapes, emotional responses to the environment, and the movement of elemental forces. She was soon involved in life-drawing sessions with local artists, which rekindled the fascination she had for the subject and brought the nude to the forefront of her work. The return to the seascape as subject matter came after a break of four years during which time her two children were born.

Many of Vickie’s seascapes were painted on site, through the window of her camper van. “By working in this way, with an ever-changing scene in front of me, I aim to give the viewer a sense of actually being there, over a period of time. The beauty of paint is that it makes visible the actions of the artist as the work was being made.”

Past exhibitions include a three woman show at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Dublin, 2000; Doolin Artists annual group shows, 2000-2003; solo show, Tides Gallery, Liscannor, 2001; and a three-woman show at the Belltable Arts Centre, 2004.

Vicky’s work will be exhibited for one day only this Saturday, June 13th, at the Lightening Strike Gallery at the Doolin Saturday Market and Craft Fair. The gallery hours will coincide with the Doolin Saturday Market and Craft Fair from 10 until 4 at the Russell Brothers Community Centre in Doolin. Admission is free.

For more information, or if you are an artist who wishes to be considered for an exhibition, contact Toby at doolinmarket@gmail.com.

In other news, the Doolin Saturday Market and Craft Fair has gotten off to a good start this year, as we welcome old friends and some very interesting newcomers! This week we would like to welcome Mark & Margôt of Rathlir Farm! Mark and Margot bought a rundown farmhouse and surrounding land back in spring of 2004. The holding includes a developing wood and a traditional bog. Over the last five years Mark & Margôt have lovingly refurbished the main house, restoring the surrounding homestead from derelict ground to an attractive, productive organic farm including an orchard with a variety of top fruit trees and a kitchen garden. Rathlir® Farm gained full symbol organic status from IOFGA last summer.

Mark & Margôt erected two tunnels this February which, together with a small glass house for germination and an enlarged kitchen garden, are now the centre of a growing horticulture business. They look forward to supplying quality salads and root vegetables grown locally, in season, with full organic certification. They have a stall at the Doolin Saturday Market and Craft over the summer and will be introducing freshly picked, seasonal food to all who visit the Market.

As always, the Doolin Saturday Market and Craft Fair is a rambling affair, full of a fantastic array of food and crafts, including a wide selection of baked goods, hot and cold snacks, local and European cheeses, baskets, textiles, ceramics, photography, and much much more!

Hope to see you Saturday!

Photo above: Rathlir Farm at sunrise. Courtesy of Mark Pierce.