When beginning this series, Duffy questioned how she could encompass the specific natural detail of the region through paint. She quickly determined that the tactile experience of being there should be manifested through physical application of the material. Using acrylic paint and a wide range of palette knives, Duffy carved rocks, smeared distant harbors, and pulled strands of grass that undulate in the wind. Varying sizes of panels allowed her to play with scale and create different interpretations of the same scene.

When hiking the Burren Way, Duffy notes that “the way is not always clear, markers not always evident.” She selected scenes for her paintings accordingly, some showing definite pathways and others more obscure, almost abstracted. Support from a Material Needs grant allowed her to conduct a sustained investigation of her subject, and the freedom to experiment with materials, size, and perspective. With this new series she hopes to guide viewers on their own journey through the unique natural wonder of the Burren Way.

Completed Works