Commissioning a Painting: Jumping Over Ben Bulben

Here is another example of a recent commission.

‘Jumping over Ben Bulben’

Mixed media on canvas board, with 22.5-carat goldleaf, in a white wooden tray frame. Final dimensions: 91 x 76 x 6cm framed.

This was a very special painting which captured a favourite family moment for the client, with two sons and a daughter, while in their teens, jumping off the wall at Drumcliff Cemetery, Co. Sligo, where W.B. Yeats is buried. The moment was captured in a superb photo which they gave to me to work with.

The Client really loved the colours and Banksy styling in Dublin Bay Wonder and was interested in reflecting this in the moment captured by photo of the kids jumping off the cemetery wall some years back.

I really enjoyed painting this and using the ‘Banksy’ styling for the figures, reimagining the landscape with the colour palette of Dublin Bay Wonder.

While creating this piece, it seemed appropriate to include a verse from Yeats's poem, ‘Under Ben Bulben', and I blended it into the orange and pink abstract bottom banner on the painting.

I actually remember the poem from school … My teachers may not believe me, but I do …!!!

Here are a few words from the Client on what the process was like for them:

'It was a pleasure to work with Niall on this commissioned piece and witness his creativity flowing throughout the process. Niall listened attentively as we explained the photo of the children at a special place. He regularly reached out with ideas and for our input. Though Niall drew from similar artwork he had created, he sought to make this piece unique for us. The addition of the script with a stanza from Yeats makes the painting even more meaningful. Through all the details that Niall included, he created a work of art filled with energy and movement and very fitting for the suspended moment of the children in the air. We are thrilled with this painting and smile each time it catches our eyes'.

A & M, Canada.

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Interested in commissioning a special painting?

If you are interested in commissioning a special painting, please contact me on niallleavy100@gmail.com | +353 (0) 87 2512571, or contact Denise or Deirdre in the Doorway Gallery at denise@thedoorwaygallery.com.

Many thanks.