' Hedgerow & Wayside'
Native Plants of County Kilkenny
Collaborative exhibition coming up 7-17 August 2025!
Blackthorn Blossom | Draighean (Irish)
The Blackthorn (Sloe) Blossom has been magnificent this year in Ireland. The tiny frothy flower petals have just started to fall with the Spring rains and winds. The spikey stamens are left, giving the trees a 'bottle brush' appearance. Soon the Sloe berries will form producing a good crop of black Sloe berries in the Autumn. They are too bitter for human consumption, but marinated in sugar and gin - they produce a delicious Winter tonic drink!
Visit:
https://instagram.com/jenniecastleartist
Welcome to my website!
My artwork explores the context, structure and details of the native plants which are growing on the land surrounding my sandstone studio and home in County Kilkenny, Ireland. The land, named an Spéir ARK, was once a field for grazing sheep and has been left to regenerate or re-wild itself. The native plants are drawn and painted with sustainable charcoals, coloured pigments and egg tempera. All materials are biodegradable and can be returned to the earth.
Willow charcoal and coloured pigment and egg tempera artworks
Creeping Thistle Illusion
(Feochadán reatha)
was selected and exhibited at the Bloom Botanical and Floral Exhibition at Phoenix Park, Dublin from 30 May - 23 June 2024. Creeping Thistle is a native Irish plant which is much maligned and classified as a Noxious Weed. It provides food and a habitat for many pollinators, including native butterflies. The artwork has been created with willow charcoal powder, coloured pigments and egg tempera on Fabriano paper. These materials are both sustainable and biodegradable and the artwork can be returned to the Earth at anytime.
Wild Teasel (Leadán úcaire)
Willow charcoal, coloured pigments and egg tempera on Fabriano paper. The materials are both sustainable and biodegradable.
Willow charcoal, coloured pigments and egg tempera on Fabriano paper. The materials are both sustainable and biodegradable.
Willow Charcoal and Coloured Pigment Tempera on Fabriano Paper
'Hyacinth'
Willow Charcoal on Fabriano Paper
Willow Charcoal on Fabriano Paper
Bloom Botanical & Floral Exhibition, Phoenix Park, Dublin
June 2023
10th Annual Claregalway Botanical Expo, Claregalway Castle
August 2023
June 2023
10th Annual Claregalway Botanical Expo, Claregalway Castle
August 2023
'Keep it Wild'
365 days 365 biodiversity drawing diary
an Spéir ARK, Ireland 2022
Visit my Instagram page to see all the pages of this diary...
https://instagram.com/jenniecastleartist
365 days 365 biodiversity drawing diary
an Spéir ARK, Ireland 2022
Visit my Instagram page to see all the pages of this diary...
https://instagram.com/jenniecastleartist
Sunday Irish Independent: 1st January 2023
Copyright All rights reserved Jennie Castle Artist
