Irish boat artwork inspired by the peaceful evening light at Kinvara Harbour on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. This original felt landscape artwork by Yorkshire felt artist Janine Jacques captures the iconic Galway Hooker boats sailing beneath a glowing sunset, celebrating Ireland’s rich maritime heritage through layers of merino wool and mixed fibres.
MEDIUM Original felt landscape artwork created using merino wool and mixed fibres
STYLE Irish maritime art
LOCATION Kinvara Harbour, County Galway, Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland
SUBJECT Galway Hooker boats sailing at sunset beneath a rising moon
As the sun slowly sank below the horizon, our day in Kinvara was coming to an end. With the children tucked up in bed, the harbour became very peaceful, giving us a chance to relax and simply enjoy the view from our apartment overlooking the water.
The Galway Hooker boats gently breezed across the water for the final time before nightfall. Their red sails gleaming in the light of the fading sun. In the dusk, the sun setting, the moon took up it’s position to light up the night sky.
It was a calm, reflective moment that stayed with me long after we returned home, inspiring this original felt artwork.
With dark and stormy skies above,
The boats with the red sails, so loved.
Watched by those upon the shore,
Racing as someone keeps the score.
Tree bark and butter, mixed with care,
Create the bright red sails so rare.
Weatherproofing at its best,
A treasured heritage to be blessed.
These Irish boats, through all the years,
Come together to be cheered.
Once a year, a celebration and a race,
These Galway Hookers show such grace.
Galway Hookers are traditional fishing boats from Galway Bay and are instantly recognised by their striking red sails. Traditionally, the sails were made from calico and weatherproofed using a protective mixture of tree bark or, sometimes, tar and butter. This process, known as “barking the sails,” gave them their rich red colour.
Today, Galway Hookers continue to race during annual festivals and regattas, preserving an important part of Ireland’s maritime heritage and celebrating generations of skilled craftsmanship.
MEDIUM: Original felt landscape artwork – approximately 29cm (H) x 30cm (W).
MATERIALS: Merino wool and mixed fibres
PRESENTATION: Mounted in a premium acid-free mount measuring approximately 45.5 cm × 45.5 cm, ready for framing.
Each artwork is individually handmade, making every piece completely unique.
Colours and tones may vary slightly from those shown on screen.
If you are based in the UK, I can arrange professional framing before dispatch. Simply select the framing options below when ordering. Framing times will vary depending on my framer’s current workload.
Drawing on my degree in Fine Art, I use merino wool in lots of different colours (as you would tubes of paint) and lay out the loose fibres of different coloured wool onto my base (as you would paint on canvas).
Once finished the next stage is to make these loose fibres of wool stick together using the ‘wet felting’ technique to make the wool painting into a piece of felt. You do this by adding hot soapy water and friction. The hot water opens up the wools scales and the friction (rubbing/rolling) binds them together. During this process the wool shrinks by about 15-20% and you end up with one piece of felt material.
Once the felted picture is dry I needle felt into the piece to sharpen some of the details.
The final felt art is attached to a piece of acid free mount board and mounted as seen then posted out ready for you to take to a framer to choose the frame.
Click here to read more about the process.
This original Irish boat artwork would make a thoughtful gift for anyone who loves Ireland, Galway Bay, traditional sailing boats or the beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way. It is a wonderful gift for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, housewarmings or as a lasting reminder of a memorable visit to Ireland’s beautiful west coast.
Your original artwork will be carefully packaged with card and bubble wrap to ensure it arrives safely.
UK Royal Mail Tracked 24 service
INTERNATIONAL Tracked and signed for service
If you have any problems at check out on your mobile phone – please try your computer instead. If you can’t order via your computer please cotact me and let me know. I will then help you with your purchase. Thank you Janine.
