Study of Osborne's "Rush Village" by George Corcoran

Rush Village (after Osborne) by George Corcoran

I was inspired by this painting of "Rush Village" by Walter Osborne (1859-1963) which portrays a village of thatched white-washed cottages, a couple of figures and a horse and cart. The road seems to be of clay with an open drain running down the centre. On the face of it, it seems to be an idyllic setting but on closer scrutiny one can almost sense the poverty and hardship endured by the inhabitants of this small seaside village.

Therein lies my dilemma...

Should i try to copy the original attempting to capture the atmosphere as Walter Osborne did whilst painting en plein air all those years ago, or perhaps paint it in brighter colours in order to "improve" the scene?

I decided on the former.

As to whether or not i have succeeded is not for me to say, but i can say that I enjoyed every minute of Walter Osborne's company.

What a loss to Ireland and indeed the world when he died at age 44. We can only dream of what he might have achieved had he lived for a few more years.

Rush Village by Walter Osborne

George Corcoran
George studied at The National College of Art, Dublin, under Henry Healy and Des Carrick, and also for a short time at Dunlaoghaire College of Art. He paints in oils, gouache and acrylics.  His subject matter is varied but mainly landscape and seascape.  He developed a love of “ Plein Air”  paintings on numerous weekly trips to Achill Island, Co Mayo under the expert guidance of The Late Henry Healy RH.A He has exhibited in numerous group shows and presently exhibits at The Peoples Gallery in The Powers Court Centre, Dublin.  His work has been purchased by Dunlaoghaire Rathdown County Council and many individuals as far away as Australia.  You can contact George by email here.