Merry Christmas from the Rosages'

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

from our home to yours...

May you find Peace, Hope, and Joy

this Holiday Season...

The Rosages'

2008

"Peace on Earth... Goodwill toward Men"

The quaint little village of Blarney in County Cork...

After arriving at our hotel earlier than expected with our group... we had plenty of time to explore the small village of Blarney before our tour of Blarney Castle the next day. And explore we did... Tami and I walked the streets of Blarney from one end to the other.

The streets and buildings had a charm and the weather and light were perfect! The only way it could have been better for me is if I had my paints and easel and could paint "en plein aire". I didn't have the paints but I did have the camera... and plenty of scenes to choose from. The small painting below is referenced from a photo I took of Tami below it.
.

"Just down the hill a bit..." ... 8x6" Oil on Panel, alla prima, 11-2008.

Tami in Blarney....

.

As we walked the town we found a great little "Fish and Chips To Go" place and got some chips... which are similar to our "steak fries"... and onion rings. The "chips" we are used to here in the states are called "crisps" in Ireland. We gathered our "chips and onion rings" and headed for a small park in the center of town where all the locals gathered to play or watch soccer (football). We had a great/relaxing afternoon...

enjoying our food, the park, and each others company...

resting up for the next day and our "Quest to Kiss the Blarney Stone" and gain the gift of gab...

Here we are at the Blarney Castle on the beginning leg of our quest...

.

more to come...

.

"Off to Kiss the Blarney Stone"... Our Quest for the Gift of Gab!

The Flight: we are so small...

As Tami and I flew from Wilmington to Atlanta, and from Atlanta to Dublin I had a revelation. Now take into consideration... I am not a world traveler... in fact at age 46, this was only my 4th flight (first trans-Atlantic)... so I was as wide-eyed as a child when we took flight. The sky was full of those puffy white clouds reminding me of those "Jesus in the sky" paintings all over the internet... Heavenly to say the least. Two things I realized... #1... there are still a lot of trees left and... #2... we are small.



Most people, myself included, get caught up in our own world and often think the world revolves around us or at least around our small inner circle of friends, family, and acquaintances. Up in the clouds I realized just how small we are... a very humbling experience. Humbling yet uplifting... uplifting in the fact that as small as we are God knows the very number of hairs on our heads (Luke 12:6-8). He not only knows us... He loves us! John 3:16...

Check out this short video that shows just how small we are....

Kevin Barry's Irish Pub in Savannah... Pappy's 70th Birthday Celebration!

Located on River Street in Savannah, Georgia... Kevin Barry's Irish Pub became our favorite hang-out during our recent trip to Savannah in celebration of Pappy's 70th birthday. We had a blast everywhere we went but seemed to migrate to Kevin Barry's on three separate occasions in our two day stay... definitely due to the Good Craic! The pub is named after Kevin Barry, a young Irish patriot who gave his life in Ireland's fight for freedom... much like our own Nathan Hale of the American Revolution. Our food was excellent... the Guinness gave us strength... and the entertainment was superb! Irish folk singer Harry O'Donoghue was one of the main reasons for our Good Craic'n Time! Watch the video below and you'll see what I mean. If you ever get a chance to see Harry live... do so... and if you are ever in Savannah... be sure to drop by Kevin Barry's Irish Pub!
.

Happy Birthday Pappy (Dad)!!!!!!
.

LtoR: Mike, Fonda, Pappy (Birthday Boy), Granny, Tami, and Bernie.

.

Irish Singer - Harry O'Donoghue - Irish music


Click HERE to see more Harry O'Donoghue videos...

Thanks Pappy and Granny for the GREAT weekend!

Máirín Fahy and "Trad on the Prom"... Galway

Tami and I had the pleasure of seeing on of the greatest Irish shows in my opinion while in Galway... "Trad on the Prom"... featuring several top ranked dancers and musicians including Máirín Fahy. I thoroughly enjoyed Máirín's fiddle playing while Tami loved her sister, Yvonne's amazing talent on the Bodhran, a percussion instrument. If you are ever in Galway... do NOT miss this show! One of the coolest things they mentioned was that the Irish traditional music is still alive and well in the mountains of North Carolina. They even played an Irish reel that crossed over into our old time mountain music and into our modern day blue grass.

Trad on the Prom, true to it's name, is the best of Irish traditional live entertainment, performed in the new conference center of the Salthill Hotel, located on the seafront promenade over looking Galway Bay and the Clare Hills.

The Band
The Trad on the Prom band comprises of the finest musicians on the Irish music scene today.The band includes Gerard Fahy on uileann pipes, Chris Kelly on guitar, Yvonne Fahy on accordion and percussion, Brendan Hayes on keyboard and guest musicians Brian Morrissey, Padraig Rynn and Kieran Munnelly on concertina, flute, banjo and additional percussion.
SOURCE:http://www.tradontheprom.com/show.html

The video below is an interview with the "Trad on the Prom" members discussing the music, dancing, and success of the event...

Spotlight Galway- Trad on the Prom


Finale from Trad On The Prom At Milwaukee Irish Fest

"Here's to you Ronnie Drew"...

Just after we got home from Ireland we got news that Irish folk artist Ronnie Drew of the famed Dubliners passed away... Many a'Irish souls are sad tonight...

Ronnie Drew, singer and guitarist: born Dú*Laoghaire, Ireland 16 September 1934; married 1963 Deirdre McCartan (died 2007; one son, one daughter); died Dublin 16 August 2008.

Irish folk singer Drew dies at 73

"Earlier this year many of the artists who had taken inspiration from him – U2, Sinead O'Connor, The Corrs, Chieftains, Damien Dempsey, Shane MacGowan, Christy Moore – released a tribute single, "The Ballad of Ronnie Drew", with proceeds to the Irish Cancer Society. It topped the Irish charts and a frail-looking Drew gave an emotional interview thanking them when they performed it on RTE's Late Late Show in February. "Illness can make you happy in a strange way," he said, "because it makes you realise people are there for you".
SOURCE: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/ronnie-drew-lead-singer-of-the-dubliners-900669.html

The Ballad Of Ronnie Drew


One of my favs...

The Dubliners - In The Rare Old Times

"Máiréad's Window" by Bernie Rosage Jr.

"Máiréad's Window"... County Clare, Ireland... 20x16"... Oil on stretched canvas by artist Bernie Rosage Jr., 11-2008.

Finished work for the Enchanting Ireland series...

Click on image to enlarge....

While traveling through Ireland we noticed so many quaint little cottages... many with thatched roofs and white-washed walls. 99% of them had a splash of color and flowers a plenty... a woman's touch you'd say.

Dedicated to my wife's ggggreat grandmother, Margaret Fetters Lee, who was born in Belfast, Ireland. Margaret is a nickname from the gaelic... Máiréad (MAW-rayt or MAW-reed)... which means "pearl".

"The Cliffs of Moher" by Bernie Rosage Jr.

"The Cliffs of Moher"... County Clare, Ireland... 20x30"... Oil on stretched canvas by artist Bernie Rosage Jr., 11-2008.

Finished work for the Enchanting Ireland series...

Click on image to enlarge....

The Cliffs of Moher in County Clare on the West Coast of Ireland is Ireland's premier Tourist attraction. The 700ft high County Clare cliffs attract tourists and stretch for nearly 5 miles along the Western Shore.

Cherish the Ladies... "An Irish Homecoming"... a Review

A review of the Cherish the Ladies... "An Irish Homecoming" concert at Kenan Auditorium on the campus of UNC at Wilmington, NC, October 24, 2008.

"Superbly led by the larger than life Joanie Madden on whistles, flute, harmony vocals and introductions, these ladies dusted the perceived cobwebs off traditional music by presenting it in a new light, with a mixture of first class 'kick-ass' playing, sensational singing, dynamic dancing and infectious humour, that packaged it and sent it into the modern world - without ever losing respect for the musical roots." This homely approach, with great stage banter, ensured not only an entertaining night but also that never before has 'trad' been so enjoyable.
The Belfast Telegraph, UK

This review is worded perfectly to which I'll add the addition of new singer, Michelle Burke, is the crowning jewel on this already superb and talented group. Her vocals and Irish dialect warm and enchant the soul... watch the video below to see what I mean. The friends that the Ladies brought with them added an extra treat and truly made this an Irish Homecoming. The champion dancers added so much with their timely precision. Dermont Henry was a hoot! Bohola gave the music even more depth. I cannot say enough about Maura O'Connell... her charm and dry humor were only eclipsed by her awesome singing voice. My parents, wife, daughter, and I enjoyed the show immensely... The Kenan Auditorium was a perfect setting for this treat. Enjoy the various youtube videos and link of a few of the songs played at the concert.

Cherish the Ladies with Michelle Burke singing "Donegal Rain"...



Maura O'Connell... "Down by the Sally Gardens"... Click on link to see and hear...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2UZReQGNVI

Maura O'Connell preforming "Trouble in the Fields" which she called a modern day folk song when she preformed it at the show. Click link to see and hear this great performance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l87JpWkbI0

An Irish Homecoming....

Tami and I are in for a real treat tonight... we're taking my parents as an anniversary gift to see Cherish the Ladies in concert. The concert (An Irish Homecoming) is in Wilmington on the campus of UNCW and features an all-star gathering of musicians performing in the Celtic and Irish traditions adored the world over. Joined by champion dancers and former dance ensemble members of Riverdance and The Chieftains, the renowned Celtic band Cherish the Ladies, vocalists Maura O'Connell, Dermot Henry and Eddi Reader, and the accordion and guitar duo of Bohola will bring Ireland to Wilmington for one amazing evening.

I'll give a full report soon...

"Low Tide at The Long Walk" by Bernie Rosage Jr.

"Low Tide at The Long Walk"... County Galway, Ireland... 11x14"... Oil on stretched canvas by artist Bernie Rosage Jr., 10-2008.

Finished work for the Enchanting Ireland series...

Click on image to enlarge....

"Streets of Bunratty" by Bernie Rosage Jr

"Streets of Bunratty"...County Clare, Ireland... 10x14"... Oil on stretched canvas by artist Bernie Rosage Jr., 10-2008.

Finished work for the Enchanting Ireland series...

Click on image to enlarge....

Thatched Roof Cottage #2... County Clare, Ireland

"Thatched Roof Cottage #2... County Clare, Ireland"... 6x8" Oil on panel, alla prima, "Enchanting Ireland" series, 9-2008.

This original oil painting by American Artist, Bernie Rosage Jr. is available for purchase... click HERE to check availabilty.

Click on image to see a larger view...



Another quaint thatched roof cottage from County Clare, Ireland.

WIP's for Enchanting Ireland series...

Here's the latest update of my Works in Progress (WIPs) for the Enchanting Ireland series...

Think I'll call this guy Sean Dempsey after the the main character in the song, "Dublin in the Rare Auld Times" by the Dubliners...

close-ups

close-up

"Galway Hooker #1"... small oil painting.

"Galway Hooker #1"... 6x8" Oil on Belgian Linen on panel, alla prima, 8-2008. "Enchanting Ireland" series, 8-2008.

This painting is for sale... Click HERE to find out about the availability of this painting. Will ship to Ireland!

Click on image to see a larger view...

Galway City was one of our favorite places on our recent visit to Ireland. The bay has a beauty all its own... especially when the Hookers are out and about. I know what you're thinking... I thought the same thing when a friend said that I had to photograph and paint a Galway Hooker... I thought to myself "what kind of tour did Tami book?". The friend told me to go home and google "Galway Hooker"... the laugh was on me... they are a beautiful sailing vessel unique to the west coast of Ireland and the Galway Bay. This small painting was for a study of the sailing vessel for a large painting I am working on of Galway Bay... expect a few more of these small studies of Hookers in the future.

These small paintings are inspired from my recent trip to Ireland... in most cases they are studies for larger works for a solo exhibit titled "Enchanting Ireland" that will debut August 2009 at the Baysden Gallery.

This painting, on a Belgian Linen on panel with painted sides, is easily framed or displayed with a decorative easel.

All my paintings are signed originals using artist grade oils and archival surfaces. "Certificate of Authenticity" included.