The Outer and Inner Landscape
Plein Air Landscape Sketching
and Painting Workshop

Join artist Kathleen Dunn Jacobs for an outdoor landscape painting and drawing workshop at the culturally rich Essence of Mulranny Arts, located at an Old Convent Campus, on the Western Coast of County Mayo Ireland.

The landscape surrounding the Essence of Mulranny Arts, will be our muse that offers inspirational coast views and sunsets that have stirred artists for many generations.

About this Retreat  

This weeklong creative painting and drawing retreat will help to immerse yourself in the delight of our natural world and rejuvenate your inner landscape by tapping into your creative process. 

Kathleen will provide individualized instruction, demonstrations, discussions and presentations that will provide the format for an exciting learning experience. There will be quiet, morning walks to scenic paths, balanced with quiet study to feed your vision and heart.  Working small, participants will seek to create work with a spirit of place by emphasizing “slow looking” to understand the elements of the natural world, while responding to the grace, order and beauty that is in front of you and from within you. There will be ample opportunity to discuss each other’s work and to discuss international landscape painters throughout history. Nourishing food and stimulating conversation will be balanced with time to work alone to reflect on your purpose within your artistic life and process.

Mulranny is a small seaside village on Clew Bay in Co. Mayo. It is located at the dramatic western edge of Ireland, the end boundary of Europe. Here, land and sea meet at the threshold of a powerful creative adventure. Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holy mountain, rises majestically from the sea on the opposite side of the bay. It is here that the ancients as well as the modern-day pilgrims have climbed the steep path to the summit. You can see the small chapel’s reflective glint on the top.

This is sheep country and below the village the sheep stand still as the tide comes in over their grazing patch on a salt marsh. They have learned to patiently stand and wait for the waters to recede so they can once again graze the salty grass. The rhythm of life here is dominated by these tides, flowing over the white sand beaches and then leaving in hasty withdrawal to the vast Atlantic Ocean.

All skill levels are welcome.

About Kathleen

Kathleen Dunn Jacobs, an artist from central New England, draws inspiration from her home life and the diverse landscapes she encounters during her travels. Her paintings merge perception with elements of abstraction and imagination, capturing the "spirit of place" through a tonal color palette that reflects the grace and order she sees in nature. Kathleen's background in arts education includes roles as Marketing/Education Director and teacher at the Truro Center for the Arts in Cape Cod, MA, and Concord Art Association in Concord, MA. She served as the Director of Education at the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, NH, after moving to New Hampshire in 2015. Kathleen earned her BFA in painting and art history from the University of Massachusetts and her MFA in Painting and Critical Visual Studies from Lesley University College of Art and Design in Cambridge, MA. Currently, she teaches painting and drawing across the United States and internationally and regularly showcases her work throughout New England.

Kathleendjacobs.com or groundingstonefarm.com

From all of us here at EOM

You are warmly invited to stay a while.

We invite you to imagine standing on the panoramic hillside of our studio, taking in the spectacular views of Clew Bay and Croagh Patrick (Ireland’s holy mountain).

Open your heart to the profoundly moving drama of the constantly shifting Atlantic skies, reflecting an ever-changing light show on the bay. The wildness and grandeur of this spectacular area belie the peace and connection you will feel to Ireland and to this very special place.

Lie on a blanket in the heather and watch the stars emerge on a clear night, or walk along the rocky shores to gather shells, driftwood, and memories. Feel yourself letting go of the stress of everyday life as the mystery and beauty of this land awaken your senses.

This unspoiled landscape provides a haven of inspiration and experimentation, a place to stretch your skills in whatever medium you are working with, all within an amazing, state of the art studio.

Join us in Mulranny, Ireland.

Set in the heart of the Wild Atlantic Way, Essence of Mulranny Studios provides a sanctuary for creativity—where the rugged beauty of Ireland’s west coast becomes both backdrop and inspiration. Surrounded by stone walls, sea air, and the deep-rooted myths of the land, you’ll find the perfect setting to truly immerse yourself in your work and your growth.

Local Villages

Meet the local people, warm, friendly and always happy to chat and share a story or a cup of tea. While you're here, take some time to explore the charming village of Westport, where you can shop at the quaint stores and perhaps stop by a local pub or two.

Connect with Nature

Finding something to inspire you is not hard with the richness of the various eco systems surrounding Mulranny - from marine to mountain landscapes, with grasslands, bog and heather hills - this enchanted land casts a spell on any artist.

Enriching Excursions

Visit historic sites. Learn about the infamous Irish Pirate Queen and visit one of her many castles. Hear the story of our Stone Age ancestors and experience the myths and magic of Irelands spiritual roots while standing in one of the ancient stone circles. This is indeed a land of legends!

Find Your Inspiration

Make sure to pack your camera and sketchbooks because you're about to embark on a journey that will capture your heart and fill your mind with boundless inspiration. Prepare to be swept away by the sights, sounds, and stories that make this place truly magical.