a helping of haggis & a toast to robert burns

okay, so i'm not so into the haggis, but i'll toast to burns any time :)
hey everyone!
here's what i've been working on over the last month ~ finally complete!
this painting will be in the silent auction at the Denver School of the Arts Robert Burns Supper benefiting DSA students who are performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival ~ the world's largest performing arts festival! Students from DSA have received the great honor of being one of 40 schools nationwide selected to perform. 50+ students will write, produce, and perform an original play on the international stage in Edinburgh Scotland in August 2008.

funds will help get the lads and lassies to Scotland and the supper will help us have an uproariously good time celebrating the birthday of Scotland's Bard, Robert Burns!

More info on the event in case you want to come :)
*Feast on delectable food and drink.
*Enjoy magical and festive Celtic entertainment by Marta Burton and Friends. [here i am loving celtic music!!]
*Partake of a Scotch Sampling and Seminar with Buzz Dabkowski. [oh yeah baby!]
*Bid on a huge array of amazing items at our silent auction!
[which is where this beauty will be :)]
*tickets are $60 per person, and the dress code is plaid
kilts encouraged gentlemen! :) woohoo!
**click on the title for more info, or go here:
http://www.blacktie-colorado.com/rsvp/rsvp.cfm
[use event code Burns08]

If you can't join us at the actual event, you may make a donation at the site page or bid on items during the event!!

in case you're wondering about the painting, here's a little something i've written up to accompany it at the auction:

As one of the most iconic images of Scotland, Eilean Donan is recognized all around the world. Situated on an island at the point where three great sea lochs meet, and surrounded by some majestic scenery, it is little wonder that the castle is now one of the most visited and important attractions in the Scottish highlands.

The name Eilean Donan, or island of Donan, is most probably named after the 6th century Irish Saint, Bishop Donan who came to Scotland around 580 AD. The first fortified structure was not built on the island until the early 13th century as a defensive measure, protecting the lands of Kintail against the Vikings who raided, settled and controlled much of the North of Scotland and the Western Isles between 800 and 1266. From the mid 13th century, this area was the quite seperate "Sea Kingdom" of the Lord of the Isles where the sea was the main highway and the power of feuding clan chiefs was counted by the number of men and galleys or "birlinns" at their disposal. Eilean Donan offered the perfect defensive position. However, playing a role in the Jacobite risings of the 17th and 18th centuries, ultimately culminated in the castle's destruction.

For the best part of 200 years, the stark ruins of Eilean Donan lay neglected, abandoned and open to the elements, until Lt Colonel John Macrae-Gilstrap bought the island in 1911. Along with his Clerk of Works, Farquar Macrae, he dedicated the next 20 years of his life to the reconstruction of Eilean Donan, restoring her to her former glory. The castle was rebuilt according to the surviving ground plan of earlier phases and was formally completed in July of 1932.

You can explore almost every part of the Castle from the Banqueting Hall to the bedrooms. You'll be following in the footsteps of many a warrior.

Eilean Donan has starred in many films, including:
• Bonnie Prince Charlie starring David Niven (1948)
• The Master of Ballantree starring Errol Flynn (1953)
• The New Avengers (1976)
• Highlander (1986)
• Loch Ness (1996)
• James Bond - The World is Not Enough (1999)
• BBC One Television Identity (1997 - 2002)

Readers of "Scotland" magazine have voted Eilean Donan as the Best Castle in Scotland under the magazines "Icons of Scotland" 2007 awards which are now in their 5th year.

**SOLD for $375!!** YAY! :)