NATURAL STUDIES
In Natural Studies, local artist Eimhin Farrell invites us into a quiet, reflective world shaped by the landscapes of Lough Muckno and Rossmore Park — places of personal significance and natural beauty. This collection of aluminium etchings blends traditional printmaking techniques with a contemporary twist, as line and colour come together to evoke the gentle rhythm and atmosphere of the natural world. Each piece is a study in both environment and emotion, offering a glimpse into the artist’s deep connection with place. Through subtle textures, delicate lines, and the unexpected energy of coloured inks, Farrell captures fleeting moments of serenity, inviting us to pause and experience nature as both muse and masterpiece.
NATURAL STUDIES
This exhibition Natural Studies consists of a series of aluminium etchings inspired by some of the natural scenery of the area surrounding Lough Muckno, Castleblayney and Rossmore Park, just outside Monaghan Town. I have chosen these areas as the inspiration for this exhibition as they are locations which I hold very dear to my heart, frequently visiting the shores of Lough Muckno and Rossmore Park to be in the company of the sounds of birds singing, trees swaying in the breeze, and the gentle flow of the lakes’ waters against the shore.
Stylistically, these etchings have been made with a particular focus on trying to replicate traditional intaglio printmaking styles, with heavy use of line drawing to convey depth and tone. In terms of colour, I decided to experiment with coloured inks, and this changed my perspective on what the show was to become a completely different identity. Different colours of ink gave the etchings a new dynamic and added a different sense of life to the natural features I have attempted to portray within each image, and ultimately became a crucial aspect of the overall aesthetic of my etchings both individually and collectively.
It is impossible to truly replicate the phenomenal feeling of being surrounded by nature in all its majestic splendour, as nature, I believe, is a work of art in its own right. All I have tried to do is simply use these locations as inspiration to create these etchings, and to hopefully capture as much of their natural beauty as I can within them. Perhaps they can be said to be, indeed, natural studies…
Eimhin Farrell
Insta: evfarrellart