John O'Donohue's Burren Region

This painting was inspired by the memory of irish poet philosopher John O'Donohue (1956-2008). He spoke about this region of Ireland (the Burren) as a place where "an ancient converstaion between the ocean and the stone is going on". I placed a tiny image of John high atop the rock at the waters edge in this painting.

With its krykes and clifts, the unique landscape of the Burren region in western Ireland is where John O'Donohue spent his childhood.
I was introduced to his work through SOF's "The Inner Landscape of Beauty" and bought "Anam Cara" shortly thereafter. His poetry is best enjoyed with the poet reading it himself.

Here is an excerpt from one of my favourite poems: Beannacht

On the day when

the weight deadens

on your shoulders

and you stumble,

may the clay dance

to balance you.

And when your eyes

freeze behind

the grey window

and the ghost of loss

gets in to you,

may a flock of colours,

indigo, red, green,

and azure blue

come to awaken in you

a meadow of delight.