📌 Lil' note: ciaraioch.com is now taking Christmas orders for prints, gift cards and value bundles - each archival-quality print on textured heavy paper is made in Ireland, shipped in eco-friendly packaging with discount tracked postage available, and comes with free treats for every customer, including stickers, bookmarks, and Gráinne Mhaol A6 mini-prints 🎁 (It's this or trying to find a very rich, very old husband - help a girl out.)
A little daily thread of some prints from me aul' online shop/siopa from now until Christmas - first up, a hard-working canine friend warms themself by the familiar range in this watercolour and pencil illustration of a cosy rural Irish kitchen.
Originally a limited edition linocut print, this giclée print copy is "Men Of The Blaskets", based on a photo by C.W. von Sydow c. 1924 - a reminder that people have lived, and survived, during the toughest of times through the strength of community.
The selkie is a creature from Irish, Faroese and Scottish folklore who has the appearance of a seal in water, but sheds its skin to come ashore and reveal a human form. If a human finds the skin and hides it away, the selkie cannot return to the sea.
Galway shawls were a specific type of heavy-weight shawl worn by Irish women. This illustration is a representation of some of the patterns and styles of Galway shawls, surrounded by lyrics from the traditional Irish folk song of the same name.
Brigid/Brigit, associated with blacksmiths, spring, cattle, and fertility, among others, and stories including blinding herself in one eye to escape being married against her will. The three-armed cross is associated with the triple goddess and the Trinity.
Tough year for art sales and I depend solely on it for a living, so if you like anything I do, I'd appreciate if you'd keep me in mind when buying gifts for friends or family. If you hate what I do, I'd appreciate if you'd keep me in mind when buying gifts for enemies or nemeses.
Anu (Anand/Anann) is associated with the idea of the mother goddess of Ireland. The pair of hills known as the Paps Of Anu (Da Chich Anann, "the breasts of Anu") in Kerry are believed to be named after her.
The pine marten is Ireland's rarest (and one of our prettiest) native mammals, and was almost lost to extinction through hunting for fur, poisoning, and destruction of their forest habitat. The hardy little creatures are now making a welcome comeback.
Final day for orders before Christmas, cut-off is 8pm this evening - perfect if the person you're buying for loves last minute gifts panic-bought from weird women online