Grange Art Studio

The Old School house Art Group, of which I am a member, are holding this years summer exhibition at Castletown House, Celbridge, co. Kildare.

Castletown House , Ireland’s finest Palladian mansion, built in the 1720s and recently restored by the OPW. are well worth a visit. You can enjoy guided tourse of the house throughout the day or a class of wine in the Kitchen restaurant or walled garden terrace. Bring good walking shoes if you enjoy long walks through the extensive parks and along the river.

In these historic surroundings the members of the art group are delighted to exhibit new paintings and art work in the Housekeeper’s Room.
The exhibition will be opened by The Hon. Desmond Guinness on Saturday 20th June at 2.30 pm

The Show will continue until Sunday 28th June and is open from 10 am - 5 pm every day (except Monday)

Castletown House and Park is located 20 km from Dublin on the M4 - take the Celbridge West exit and follow the sign for Castletown House.

Having submitted 3 paintings/textiles to the RHA’s (Royal Hibernian Academy) annual exhibition - and been rejected - one of my textile works  will be exhibited during the “The RHA Unselected Show” at the Bad Art Gallery, 79 Francis Str. , Dublin 8.

The show will be opened by Bertie Ahern , TD on Thursday 14th May , 6 - 8 pm and will run for 4 weeks

This years event for all interested Dunboyne artists opens on Saturday 13th December at 7 pm with mulled wine at the Old National School in the main square in Dunboyne, Co. Meath. The exhibition is also open on Sunday from 11 - 4. See you there.

A painting with images from my previouse life as a social worker was recently commissioned and here it is “Wheel of Change”  ; firstly the finished painting and then some of the details found within.

I am currently attending life drawing classes at historic Rossnaree House at Slane Co. Meath. The course is organised by the artist and owner of Rossnaree , Aisling Law and the excellent tutor is Sam Horler. The course is inspirational and
enjoyable and will continue every Thursday morning throughout June and July.

For further information : www.rossnaree.ie

Aisling law is also offering residential art courses at her loft studio at Rossnaree House later this summer. See poster below.

Robert Ballagh and me

I am taking part in this exhibition which is part of the Bealtaine Festival , co-ordianted by Age & Opportunity and mentored by artist and Bealtaine ambassador Robert Ballagh. The venue is the Toradh Gallary, Ashbourne Civic Offices, Ashbourne , Co. Meath. It will be opened on Thursday 15th May 2008 at 7.30 pm by Robert Ballagh and Cllr. Nick Killian. The exhibition will run until 12th June 2008.

17 members of the Ratoath Community Art Group and The Old Schoolhouse Art Group are taking part in the exhibition, to celebrate creativity in older age. with original art work mentored by Robert Ballagh during two workshops in April at The Venue, Ratoath.

Take a trip to Ashbourne and visit this exciting show at a wonderful new gallary venue.

Opening hours: Monday - Friday 10 am - 5 pm.

How to transform ordinary fabric from plain to “wow”?

To breath fresh energy into syntetic fabric and textile; second hand cloths, recycled  lace curtains, old embroidery and lace; and by incorporating salvaged old objects like jewellery,  tiny mirrors and shells.

To build depth and character into the piece of fabric by using manipulation techniques involving ; layering, dissolving or distorting - softening, fusing and bonding - by using heat.

To develop interesting patterns and unique surfaces on or with the fabric and objects and create 3-D works of art.

The textile art I have made to date reflects my experiences, interests and personality. They have been inspired by my interest in nature, my many long walks along the sea shore or in the mountains and many hours spent working in and enjoying the garden.

I usually start with an idea of what I want to create and choose pieces of textile which reflects in some way to the image I have in mind.

The heat manipulation of the layers of fabric can reveal surprising discoveries and as the work evolves, it leads to other variations, different elements gets exaggerated, altered or added and expose new aspects of the original inspiration.

Depending on what type of fabric used, the layering, colours, embroidery or lace may encourage new ways of thinking about the piece of work.

Often the imagery may become more and more abstract but I always try to retain the essence of the original inspiration.
The addition of a new media like a small mirror or a pearl will often create a further new image.

It becomes my personal interpretation.

The fact that the art work is layered, fused and moulded by heat increases the stability and longevity of the work.

I partisipated in the Christmas exhibition with 24 art works of which 14 were sold and one commission was received. A successful event for myself and also for many of the other artists taking part. I especially appreciated the great interest in my new textile art pieces. It has encouraged me to try and develop the technique further and try and produce even bigger works.
I am thankful for all your generous comments, appreciation, interest and support.

The Dunboyne Artist’s annual christmas exhibition is just around the corner and preparations are well under way.

The exhibition will open on Saturday 15th December between 7 - 10 pm. Come and join us and enjoy mulled wine and a fantastic display of art by an increasing number of local talent.

The exhibition is also open on Sunday 16th December between 10 am - 3.30 pm

An exciting raffle will be held again this year.

I will be exhibiting 19 new works which can be viewed in the Gallery site below.