Blog – Page 2 of 58 – Emma Cownie

Posted on November 3, 2025December 7, 2025 by emma cownie — Leave a comment

Cruit Lower, Kincasslagh

Summer in Donegal is full of light. Even if its damp summer there is still lots of light. The northly latitude sees to that. It only seems to get properly dark for a couple of hours after midnight and dawn comes impossibly soon. So its great for painting and getting out and about but the light is not so interesting for photography or sketching, especially if, like me, you like lots of strong shadows. So my paintings are usually based on images that are captured in the autumn months. Otherwise, mornings and evening are best for interesting colours and shadows.

Autumn Light on Cruit Island, Donegal _ E,mma Cownie — Autumn Light on Cruit Island, Donegal _ Emma Cownie SOLD

Cruit Island is one of my favourite places in Donegal. It’s rocky and sparsely populated but is accessible by a handy bridge.

Donegal Cottages, Cruit Island _Emma Cownie SOLD

We have driven past the collection of farm buildings at Cruit Lower many times but I only managed to capture an image I liked enough to paint this spring. It was an uncharacteristically warm and sunny run of days this May.

The farm has long fascinated me as you have to drive through it. These through roads through farms are not unusal in rural areas in Ireland (and Wales). Informal tracks through a collection of farm buildings, now divided by tarmac.

Painting of Donegal, Ireland_EmmaCownie — The Through Road, Ireland by Emma Cownie

Lower Cruit was for sale last year and I had a good look at it online. It was interesting as you can only glimpse some of the buildings from the road. I cant remember how much the asking price was. Getting on for a million Euro, maybe. Way out the reach of a poor artist! You got a lot for that; a collection of beautiful historic buildings (some pre-famine era) and access to a beautiful beach and some really incredible views of the West of Donegal. Here are some of the photos from the website. I dont know who bought it but I really hope they look after the beautiful old buildings.

Cruit Lower – the view you cant see from the road!

More information about Cruit Lower

https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/40904015/cruit-lower-co-donegal

1901 census information http://donegalgenealogy.com/1901cruitlowr.htm

Kinclasslagh wikipedia

https://www.donegalcottageholidays.com/cruitisland-cruitisland

https://www.booking.com/city/ie/kincaslough.en-gb.html

An Encounter on Cruit Island

Posted on October 19, 2025October 19, 2025 by emma cownie — 12 Comments

“Fast” painting

“Is this a fast painting or a slow one?” My husband asks.

This question gives me pause.

“A fast one” I reply.

Painting of Portnoo, Donegal by Emma Cownie — Portnoo Colours (Donegal) by Emma Cownie

My paintings usually take days to complete. On average three days. A smaller one quicker. Commissions are still “slow” paintings.

Lately, though I have taken to completing paintings in a single sitting. This may well be several hours, but its a single sitting.

Rocky Ground Bun An Inver by Emma Cownie

The results are more sponanteous-looking. The process feels slightly out of control. Often I think “I have bitten off more than I can chew” here. But I stick with it. Years of painting have taught me to ignore the impulse to give up. To push on, even when when it looks a bit ugly.

There may well be things wrong; colours or details but they dont matter too much. I will alter them if they really bug me. Mostly I dont. The brush strokes are broken and incomplete. In some places they are deliberately rough. The canvas shows through in places. Often I am uncertain if I like the painting when I stop. Its usually a bit of a surprise. I have to fight my perfectionism.

Painting of Narin Donegal by Emma Cownie — Narin Rise, Donegal by Emma Cownie

I am racing ahead of my thoughts. Ahead of my critical mind that tells me its not good enough and to keep painting. Now I refuse to listen and keep going. It’s intense and exhausting.

Over Cruit Island, Donegal and painting by Emma Cownie

My father died in June this year. He was 92. My heart is broken. He was a lovely, funny and kind man and I miss him terribly.

Posted on May 11, 2025May 11, 2025 by emma cownie — 13 Comments

Arranmore Swansong

We have been living with a lot of uncertainty since summer last year. This is why I have found it difficult to write regularly. Last summer, Biddy, our aged Collie-cross was so frail I didn’t come to Donegal with her. I didn’t think the long bumpy car journeys would be fair on her. The vets are an hour away. She was pts in November last year. It was an honour to look after her in her final days and I still miss her. I will write about Effie in a separate post, soon.

Artie and Biddy — Artie the cat and Biddy 2023

It is with a heavy heart that I say that we are planning to leave Donegal. It’s a difficult place to live without family near by. It’s a stunning place and the recent sunshine has really highlighted that. It is possibly the most beautiful landscape I have ever seen and I will be very sad to leave. I am not entirely sure where we are going. I will let you know when we know.

In the meantime, I have painted a series of small paintings of Arranmore Island.

Painting of Arranmore Island by Emma Cownie — Children at Play – Arranmore Island by Emma Cownie

If you are interested in buying an Arranmore painting you can here: https://emmafcownie.com/product-category/paintings-ireland-emma-cownie/donegal-paintings-emma-cownie/donegal-islands

Posted on March 21, 2025March 22, 2025 by emma cownie — 17 Comments

Jacksons Art Prize – Extended long list!

I am delighted to announce that I have made Jacksons Art’s extended long list for their 2024 Art Prize. The list was announced on 14th but as I didnt get an email from Jacksons, I assumed I hadn’t made the cut. So imagine my delight when I find a “Congratulations” email that isn’t telling me I have won a load of bitcoin has arrvived in my inbox.

It reads “With 12,964 entries submitted, from 129 countries, the selection process was incredibly competitive. As an artist on the Extended Longlist of 3,168 works, you are in the top 25% of entries. The full list is available to view here. ” I am on page 5 if you want to look.

Carn (Donegal) – Bridge Street in Carndonagh, Donegal

Update

The excitement only lasted a morning. Turns out that my email provider had hidden the “Congratulations” in a folder it calls “Promotions” which is mostly emails from Art suppliers. It had been there for a week before I spotted it. Strange how I had no problems seeing the “Thank you for Taking Part” email yesterday afternoon. Oh, well.

Jackson’s Art Prize 2025 Extended Longlist Announced

Posted on March 5, 2025March 7, 2025 by emma cownie — 6 Comments

Flying Fruit Bowl Podcast

I am delighted and honoured to have been interviewed by Aaron S (@aaronsehmar on Instagram) for his Flying Fruit Bowl podcast. If you haven’t come across his podcast and website check it out – he’s a thoughtful and insightful interviewer who is a very talented photographer in his own right. He’s interviewed a diverse range of talented artists. There is a lots to discover. It’s like a breath of fresh air.

Flying Fruit Bowl Instagram account

Flying Fruit Bowl website

DIRECT DOWNLOAD: https://open.acast.com/public/streams/65a7aa539b536b00171d8ee3/episodes/67acc03e9c6f7f7f2859bc1a.mp3

APPLE MUSIC: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-flying-fruit-bowl/id1548279888

SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/episode/02nik9zJGEU7zLMtPzIjih

Posted on February 16, 2025February 16, 2025 by emma cownie — 10 Comments

Bannau Brycheiniog (the Brecon Beacons)

Table Mountain, Crickhowell by Emma Cownie

I have been painting Bannau Brycheiniog – the official name for the Brecon Beacons since 2023 – for a while now. Living in flat Cardiff as a student for a decade, I used to enjoy seeing Carphilly Mountain off in the distance. At weekends, I would catch the local train to Taffs Wells and climb Garth Mountain (Subject of the 1995 Hugh Grant film “The Englishman who Went up a Hill but down a Mountain“). Those mountains gave me a sense of very different landscape nearby.

The Mountains of south and mid-Wales was my favourite destination for days out and holidays. When I first started painting seriously, the Beacons were a favourite subject matter. When I used to sell prints on Artfinder back in 2013, “Crick in the Snow” was very popular. I loved painting the lines of hedges and trees. I have a fascination with layers of things – fields, hedgerows, houses. I think I enjoy seeing them spread out at a distance. It gives me a better sense of the toptography of the physical landscape. How the land undulates; rises and falls. I can look at a 2D images a create a 3D image in my mind’s eye.

I have explored different approaches to this subject matter. I have used a design-style – where the colours are flat and very simplied.

Oil Painting of Brecon Beacons — The Distant Beacons 2015

Painting of Pen Y Fan — Autumn Beacons 2014

To a more less-stylish and realistic approach, with softer colours.

Beacons painting commission by Emma Cownie

To a semi-realist approach with elements of stylished flat colours.

Three peaks – Brecon Beacons painting commission

Recently, I was drawn to painting Wales again. I was looking to paint small landscapes using acrylic gouache. Using a different medium produced interesting results. The Acrylic Gouach is chalky in nature and tends to result in pastel shades. I like this. I found that the lighter colours (pale yellows and light greens) needed several layers to get the strength of colour I wanted. Each painting was a surprise to me. They did not turn out the way I expected but I liked them beacuse the softer colours were more respresentative of the landscape than the oils I used in the past.

Recent paintings of Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) – in Acrylic Gouache.

Hazy Beacons - Emma Cownie — Hazy Beacons – Emma Cownie

Buy Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) paintings here

Find out More

https://www.exploringmidwales.co.uk

Posted on December 31, 2024December 31, 2024 by emma cownie — 1 Comment

New Year Sale – 30% off

To Celebrate the New Year I am giving 30% off all work on my website – to get the discount you have to enter a code at the checkout. Where’s the code? Join my email list and it will be sent to you, automatically. The sale ends on 15th January.

View from the Pier (Portnoo)-Emma Cownie SOLD

If you have already joined my mailing list and haven’t had my latest newsletter with the sale code check your SPAM folder.

Posted on December 28, 2024December 7, 2025 by emma cownie — 15 Comments

Update on Effie, our border collie puppy

I know this isnt about Art, but at the moment Effie is taking up most of my waking time, so its an explanation as to why I havent been painting. Thinking about it, yes. Doing it, no.

We have had Effie for just over a month now.

What have a learnt about puppies in general and border collies (bc) in particular?

Puppies are exhausting. Unbelievably so. There are long threads devoted to this topic on message boards/forums where people will detail lack of their of sleep and exhaustion across many breeds. I have read more than once, that some people (women? men? It could be either to be honest) cried every night for a month after getting their “adorable” puppy. Have I cried? No, but I have certainly shouted at my husband from exhaustion more than once. Its getting better, slowly. BC are marmite dogs – they have legions of fans who adore them but the rescue shelters also have more than their fair share of abused collies.

What have I learnt about bc puppies

They are not like other dogs – they are very sensitive – especially to sound and dont like traffic or shouting
They will “go” all day if you dont make them have several naps during the day
They get cranky if they don’t have naps – Effie takes a longer than I would like to go to sleep for her afternoon nap.
They can chew ANYTHING but dont always want breakfast in the morning.
They do crazy digging before they go to sleep. They are meant to be making a bed but Effie NEVER sleeps on the spot where she’s been digging
They are REALLY clever – much smarter than any other dogs I have come across
They are free spirits (which means they may well refuse to do the thing they know how to do because they dont WANT to do it). What’s the word for that – stubborn? Perhaps I am not a worthy leader/owner/guardian? It’s a tough role to fill.
They LOVE company.
They also need quiet time.
They dont like strangers sticking their faces in theirs saying “How cute!” They can get really upset by that sort of thing.
They love to play games and will play on their own too. They are willing pupils so long as they like the treat (cheese is good).
If you dont find them a job to do, they will find their own. If it goes quiet its usually because she’s found something really good to chew.
Effie likes zips – on cushions, pillows, jeans – where ever she can find them. She also likes tassles. And hats, and tea towels. Most things really.
She is an excellent guard dog but doesn’t just bark her head off.
Effie gets hiccups a lot
Effie doesn’t hold grudges and every day is a new start!
I wish I had her energy.
I love her.

Posted on December 8, 2024December 8, 2024 by emma cownie — 14 Comments

Meet Effie: Our New Puppy (and some red squirrels)

This is going to be short. I am snatching a few minutes whilst the puppy sleeps.

Long story short; our beloved Biddy, who has been with us for 15 years had to be put to sleep. In our grief we made a truly daft decision and immediately got a puppy AND moved house in winter. My mother said it was compliment to Biddy that we wanted another dog straight away. I think she was being kind, but she does love animals so maybe not.

So enter Effie. Or the “Scruffy One” as my husband called her as we watched her and her sister (our choice of two) cavort around the farmer’s yard with great energy. This was the one my husband picked.

She was covered in mud (poop) and slightly pink from blood. Her litter-mates picked on her. The farmer said ‘I think she will be the kinder dog”. Kind means gentle in this part of County Derry. Yes we picked the underdog.

So we took home a mucky pup and gave her a shower. She has dealt with the transition to indoor life with three cats very well. We, the humans have found it a tougher transition.

There is a lot to learn with collies. They are not like other dogs. They are super smart but also very sensitive. We are exhausted from trying to keep up and understand her. I have been doing a lot od reading. I find Barbara Skyes’ books on Border Collies really helpful. We still haven’t quite finished moving house!

We think Artie has had experience with collies before

She is pretty much house-trained after 3 weeks (probably slow for a collie) but needs to be made to chill out and nap several times in the day or she gets fractious and grumpy at night. Every morning is a new start even if she went to bed sulking with us, and greets us both with a kiss (lick on the ear) and chest (to gently rub).

And the red squirrels? We saw two this week. For the first time in my life. They are very rare in Britain. They are more common in Ireland but shy. We saw two on Inch Island when we were out exercising Effie.

She has to be exercises away from other dogs and grass until we’ll after her second vaccination. We saw them scampering across a lane from a wooded area. They are very different from their grey American cousins. They are smaller, delicate with russet red coats and tuffed ears. When they run their bodies and tails undulate in an elegant way. The second time I saw one I could see it had a white chest. It was fleeting sighting so I don’t gave a photo but I can offer a couple of paintings I did many years ago.

Times up. Effie stirs.

Posted on November 3, 2024November 3, 2024 by emma cownie — 8 Comments

Timelapse of a Commission (with Nellie)

It’s not until you film yourself painting that you realise just how long a painting takes. I *know* how long they take, usually several days, sometimes longer. Actually seeing the process makes you realise how painstaking and slow the whole process is. Its taken me a while how to work out how to do a timelapse film and its a joy to see the work “fly” along. This is how it feels to me as I am painting (when its going well). Of course, a film can’t capture all the standing back, breaks to change the water, to clean the palette, or just to *look* at the painting. That is a dedicated painting shirt, by the way. There’s a lot of paint on the front of it.

Nellie had been lying on the bed whilst I was painting and came over when I put the palette down. Flossie and Nellie have always taken a great interest in my painting. So much so that I have been reduced to using a small camping stool as they insisted on walking along the back of the chair I used. My water is in a small jam jar with a scew-on lid as Nellie frequently tries to drink the (probably toxic) paint water if I leave it unattended. The palette also has a lid to help keep it damp and keep playful paws away from the paint. They are a large part of the reason I paint in water-based acrylic paints these days instead of oils.