What an unforgettable trip! Thanks to everyone who made this journey with us to the Wild West Coast of Ireland!

From Lora Murphy, Founder of Essence of Mulranny:

This week, we bid a fond and heartfelt farewell to Lyn Belisle and her incredible group of artists, who filled Essence of Mulranny Studios with creativity, warmth, and laughter during her retreat, Encaustic Vessel Exploration.

Over the course of the week, our studios came alive with the scent of beeswax and the sound of shared stories, as participants explored the symbolic and tactile world of mixed-media vessels. With every layer of paper, plaster, and wax, their artworks told personal stories of memory, resilience, and connection.

Lyn, a long-time member of the Painting with Fire community and a dear friend of EOM, brought her deep well of knowledge and kindness to every moment. We're so grateful for her energy and for the generosity of the entire group who made this retreat such a meaningful experience.

EOM and Mulranny will miss you all, but we hope the magic made here continues to ripple through your creative lives!
A million thanks to Mike Lanford for his amazing video, below:
Using the photos above as reminders of your work, please fill in the information below for the catalog. After you hit the Submit button, it will come straight to me to copy into the catalog with a photo of your work that I will edit. I have also added space for you to upload three of your favorite photos form the trip to be included, but that part is optional. 

    Catalog Information

    Describe Your Work
    In about 200 words, share what inspired your vessel(s) and describe your creative process — including any challenges you faced and successes you experienced while making them.
    Example:
    “My vessel, Tidekeeper, was inspired by the shifting colors and rhythms of Clew Bay. I wanted the form to feel like it could have been unearthed from the shoreline, weathered by wind and salt. I began with cane and mulberry paper, layering wax to give the surface a translucent, tidal quality. My biggest challenge was balancing fragility with strength — the paper seemed too delicate at first, but as I added layers and embedded bits of seaweed fiber, it began to hold its shape. One breakthrough came when I used rusted wire to bind the rim; it added a visual anchor and echoed the weathered textures I saw on the pier. The most satisfying moment was watching the wax catch the light for the first time, revealing tiny flecks of embedded sand. It felt like the vessel was holding both the memory of the workshop and the spirit of the place.”

    Describe Your Experience
    In about 200 words, reflect on what it was like to work as part of the group in the Mulranny studios. Share how Ireland — including visits to Achill Island, the abbey and cemeteries, the goat sanctuary, and the delicious local food — inspired and influenced your creative process.
    Example:
    “Working in the Mulranny studios with this group felt like stepping into a circle of instant kinship. The rhythm of our days — mornings filled with quiet focus, afternoons exploring, evenings sharing discoveries — shaped my work in ways I didn’t expect. Achill Island’s dramatic cliffs and restless waves reminded me to let my vessels carry a sense of movement. The abbey ruins and weathered headstones added a layer of history and reverence to my forms, while the goat sanctuary brought in an unexpected playfulness; I found myself adding small, whimsical details as a nod to those curious faces. The local food became part of the sensory memory woven into my work. There was something about the shared meals and laughter that made the studio feel both adventurous and safe. By the end, I realized my vessels were not just shaped by my hands, but by the land, the people, and the conversations that happened while we worked side by side.”

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    Max file size: 20MB
    Max file size: 20MB