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‘A Smouldering Explosion of Colour’
 

 Geraldine O’Brien’s ‘Michelmas Daisies’ is a smouldering explosion of colour. The masses of the small flower is a powerful entity. Clear evidence of a great many years as a working artist focussed particularly on flowers. ’Crysanthemums in a Jug’ shows that setting up the flower arrangement the evening before painting achieves a relaxed natural effect with the odd sprig or petal fallen on the ground. In ‘Primroses’ O’Brien shows how closely her flower arrangments mirror the growing flowers.

The impressionist effect of a shimmering blue cloud that Jim Flack achieves in ‘Early May Morning’ is to be been during these days. The stunning carpets of bluebells in woodland and on low moorland in the early hours of a calm, dry day. "Could I die under a cherry blossom tree in full bloom on a full-night of spring?" Is the medieval Japanese monk describing the hevenly experience of being showered by cherry petals. In ‘Garden Cherry Tree in Spring’ Flack conveys the luxuriance of cherry blossom which explodes into existence overnight and, in windy wet weather, can disappear just as quickly. 

In ‘Wild Garlic, Knockreer’ Helena Brunicardi conveys one of the most unique/memorable nature experiences in May. There is no rival to that combination of the sharp, pungent garlic scent and the rivetting visual of the white and green carpet. ‘Amaryllis (with Mangerton)’ shows the importance of setting and location. The curtins and small table focus the flowers theatrically . The backlighting provided through trhe window projects the arrangement off the canvas. The mountain backdrop conveys its huge bulk to the presentation. The perfection and size of the blossoms is the centre of attention.
 
The strength and luxuriance of the colour of flowers is a special characteristic of May. Julie Beckett’s ‘Kerry Fuchsia’ and ‘My Sister’s Tulips’ rivettingly convey the luxuriance of Spring. The close-up treatment shows the perfect and intricate detail of nature. Beckett’s highly textured and layered impressionist treatment give each flower its own unique personality. Her paintings are also sculptures with the work rising off the canvas.

- Frank Lewis