The Old Irish Goat Workshop with Ardith Goodwin

A mixed media workshop celebrating the life and history of the Old Irish Goats.

Creativity and a wild imagination were always second nature, I am hard wired that way, but becoming a professional artist and global art educator, well that wasn’t on my radar. On one of my darkest days I went to the library and checked out some books on watercolor and the Splash volumes caught my eyes and heart. I call it a divine moment, because that book really was the trigger that sent my world in a completely new path of creativity, good medicine, and an insane devotion to self-study and love of color.

All this to say, tapping in creatively and learning to problem solve were life giving and life changing for me. Today, I run an amazingly successful corporation and professional painting practice. I have collectors world wide, a crazy wonderful following of artists seeking to discover their versions of beautifully different and interesting, and I travel internationally teaching the recipe for moving through the world creatively tapped in.

There is no greater honor for me than to impact the human heart of others in ways that inspire them to push past ordinary and reconnect with their passions and artistic gifts. I LOVE to paint, and to write wild words, and pair the two…..then teach others how to do the same.

What’s YOUR version of creative magic? If you aren’t sure… spend some time in The Land of Ardithian and I betcha you might find out!

What’s the week like?

During our time at EOM Studios we will experience a multi-dimensional approach to an art workshop. Based in the glorious town of Mulranny, we will take half day excursions into the countryside of Mayo County and explore castles, geography, and historic places. As we do this, I will be guiding you on capturing specific creative attributes based on color, pattern, and textures, that we will incorporate into our illustrative ideas. There will be fun excursions for shopping in Westport, incredible cuisine, and plenty of time to walk and explore the shores of Clew Bay.

As we learn about the amazing history of the Old Irish Goat, and visit them in person, this hands-on aspect to our workshop will add a personal layer to our subject matter based on capturing the details of their personalities, structure, voice, and stories. Learning to move through the world creatively will be our overarching umbrella goal and we will do that through the daily experience of pairing place with subject matter with imagination.

Because the Old Irish Goats are endangered, we will spend a great deal of time learning about how they were once numerous, and now, at risk. Story telling ideas and play will be something we share verbally and in creating our own watercolor and fluid acrylic sketches. Ultimately, our goal will be to create a collaborative children’s book together about Stripaticus Goatigans, who’s a direct descendant of the Old Irish Goats and lives in The Land of Ardithian.

I will be teaching you how to sketch expressively and simply, but also to use the physical attributes of the settings in Ireland and the anatomy of the goats to explore expressive realism, watercolor and fluid acrylic renderings, and book making. When the workshop wraps, you will be a co-illustrator in the children’s book, Stripaticus Goatigan Loses His Stripes, which will be available on Amazon.

You do not need to have strong drawing skills to be successful in this workshop, but you do need to have a willingness to learn and apply the imaginary ideas we will share in colorful, expressive ways. Teaching painters to discovery their versions of beautifully different and interesting is important to Ardith and every workshop she offers meets the artists where they are in their skill sets. Join us for an incredible 8 days to celebrate the history of the Old Irish Goat and experience Ireland through creativity, imagination, and children’s book publishing!

12 Random Facts about the Old Irish Goat

It was in England that the breed was first called the ‘Irish goat’.
The Old Irish goat was Ireland’s only goat breed until around 1900.
A thick cashmere undercoat under its long outer coat helps to keep the goat warm in cold weather.
It is possible to tell the age of an Old Irish goat by counting its horn rings.
Unlike the modern breeds of dairy goat, the Old Irish goat can be found in a variety of colours and colour patterns.
In domestication, the breed could give up to 200 gallons of milk a year.
Large numbers were once imported into England and Scotland annually, being called the ‘harbingers of spring’ as the drovers arrived in each town and village.
It is closely related to the native goat breeds of England, Scotland and Wales.
Feral herds of Old Irish goats are led by a female, the males forming bachelor herds for much of the year.
Now only found in the ‘wild’ feral state, the goats once caught, are easily brought back into domestication.
It has small ears worn in the pricked position.
There are no tassels (wattles) on the neck.

Join Us in Mulranny

Skills You Will Learn

Using Real Life Observation and Collection For Subject Matter And Ideas

Daily Strategies To Boost Creative Thinking and Ideation

The History and Importance Of The Old Irish Goats

On Site Sketching

Loose, Expressive Sketching For A Likeness

How To Use Water-Soluble Pigments For Illustration (Students will receive their own watercolor set with course)

Layering of Water-Soluble Mediums

Basic Distortion Skills For Structure

Blending and Technical Skills For Color Mixing

Miniature Book Making

Illustration and Page Elements for Children’s Book Publishing

Basic Children’s Book Publishing Info

Exquisite Corpse Collaborative Art Game

Join the Workshop

About Ardith

As a self-taught artist of 20 years, she found her gift of painting and visual transfer by accident.

Elementary education was her path right out of college, but she unexpectedly faced multiple medical challenges and was forced to give up teaching and go on disability while her body healed. As luck would have it, a visit to the library and some time spent with her favorite watercolor books showed her that she had a gift for not only drawing, but the use of color and imagination. That experience transformed her life.

As an artist who teaches, she travels the U.S and abroad conducting art workshops, hosting creative travel journeys, as well as small group academic study for professional artists in her studio in Mobile, Al. She is a passionate advocate for teaching adults that their creative points of view and visual language matter as well as finding joy in the devotion and mastery of fundamentals.

Ardith holds true to her faith and the belief that no matter what challenge life throws her way, nothing will quench her spirit to continue creating, sharing, and inspiring. With joyful determination, she shares her love of art with children and adults and actively promotes the lifestyle of moving through life as a creative.

Her full time working gallery, Ardithian Arts Studio, is located at 1100 Dauphin St., Suite A, Mobile, Al. 36604

From Our Host Lora

You are warmly invited to stay a while.

We invite you to imagine standing on the panoramic hillside of our studio, taking in the spectacular views of Clew bay and Croagh Patrick (Ireland’s holy mountain).

Open your heart to the profoundly moving drama of constantly shifting Atlantic skies, reflecting an ever changing light show on the bay. The wildness and drama of this spectacular area belie the peace and connection you will feel to Ireland and to this very special place.

Lay on a blanket in the heather and watch the stars emerge on a clear night or walk along the rocky shores, to gather shells, driftwood and memories. Find yourself letting go of the stress of everyday life, feel the mystery and beauty of this land, awakening your senses.

This unspoiled place provide a safe place of inspiration and experimentation to stretch your skills in whatever medium you are working on, in an amazing state of the art studio..

Secure Your Spot

Join us in Mulranny, Ireland.

Dream about the history of past times, evident in every field with old stone walls, every stoic castle and each abandoned cottage.

Local Villages

Meet the local people, warm, friendly and always happy to chat and share a story or a cup of tea. While you're here, take some time to explore the charming village of Westport, where you can shop at the quaint stores and perhaps stop by a local pub or two.

Connect with Nature

Finding something to inspire you is not hard with the richness of the various eco systems surrounding Mulranny - from marine to mountain landscapes, with grasslands, bog and heather hills - this enchanted land casts a spell on any artist.

Enriching Excursions

Visit historic sites. Learn about the infamous Irish Pirate Queen and visit one of her many castles. Hear the story of our Stone Age ancestors and experience the myths and magic of Irelands spiritual roots while standing in one of the ancient stone circles. This is indeed a land of legends!

Find Your Inspiration

Make sure to pack your camera and sketchbooks because you're about to embark on a journey that will capture your heart and fill your mind with boundless inspiration. Prepare to be swept away by the sights, sounds, and stories that make this place truly magical.

Your Time with Ardith

Your 8 days will be a beautiful blend of studio time, delightful excursions, cultural experiences and of course, plenty of free time to rest and explore!

You can arrive, unpack your suitcase (and your art supplies) and truly relax, at the gorgeous Essence of Mulranny Retreat center, operated by artist, Lora Murphy. We will be visiting enchanting villages, strolling along the beautiful coastline, touring ancient castles and ruins, picnicking in the heather fields and creating all along the way! The creative inspiration will be all around you!

Join Us in Mulranny

Your general itinerary for your time in this magical place.

There may be a few changes here and there, depending on weather usually but we will let you know.

We will collect you all at Westport Train station at 4pm and whisk you away to Mulranny, about 30 mins drive. After a champagne reception, we will gather for dinner and sharing and get you settled in to your rooms at EOM or DeBrun house.
The MAC studio will be open from 9am to 8pm and is a short walk from the residence areas Class will be from 9:30am to 4pm.
We will serve lunch at 1pm each studio day at the MAC.
This day is an all day trip to Achill Island. Lunch will be at a lovely little restaurant (your expense)
Dinner will be served back at EOM.
Class will be from 9:30am to 4pm.and dinner will be at a lovely little pub in the Village (included)
We often have a special entertainment on this evening but it depends on availability. We will let you know.
1⁄2 Studio day and a trip to local attractions including Westport and the Old Irish Goat center. Dinner will be at the Famous Nevins restaurant (your expense).
1/2 Studio day and finishing up work. Delicious dinner with wine and sharing.
The bus will take you to Westport train station for a 9:45 departure to Dublin or the Galway bus.

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Your home for the week.

This beautiful learning center is complete with well equipped mixed media/encaustic art studio, private bedrooms, a cozy gathering room with fireplace and group kitchen for those midnight snacks!

All meals will be included and prepared by an on-site private chef and will focus on delicious, healthy cuisine. For larger groups we house students in the village, in apartments with spectacular views.

Join Us in Mulranny

May 20th - 27th, 2025