Grange Art Studio

TRIPTYCH

Helene Malone,Una Ryan and I are three Meath artists from different backgrounds who met as members of local art groups – The Old Schoolhouse Art Group, Dunboyne and the Meath Arts Group.

Our interest in art and art education has over time cemented our friendship. A common passion for visual expression has led to a collaboration in terms of exhibiting our art work together under the title TRIPTYCH.

The body of work at this exhibition is a result of our attendance, since September 2009, at Dunboyne College of Further Education, FETAC Level 6, Art and Art Business course.
This is the only FETAC Level 6 course available in Co. Meath.

The subject matter is people and every day things in their lives. The work includes figurative paintings on paper, board and canvas in oils, acrylic and mixed media.

I have been a so busy since last summer that this website has been pushed further down the priority list each month.

Updating is now long overdue:

Art education:

I completed the art Portfolio course at Dunboyne College of Further Education in May 2009 and was selected for the Solstice Art Student of the Year award at the graduation seremony in September. Well done me !!!
I obtained a place at the Art and Art Business course (FETAC level 6) at DCFE.

I also obtained a place on the DVI (Drawing and Visual Investication ) Certificate course at NCAD (National College of Art and Designe)

As both courses are part-time (-they say) I decided I could manage both since I have “all the time in the world as a pensioner”.

In practice the courses has kept me busy 24/7 since last September, but enjoying every challenge.

The DVI course is now “hotting up” and we are preparing for completion of final drawing project before Easter.

The FETAC Art and Art Business will run until the end of May.

Samples of completed projects for both courses will be put up in the Gallery shortly.

Exhibitions:

Spirit of Dunboyne Festival October 2009

Dunboyne Christmas Exhibition, December 2009

Meath Arts Group Exhibition , Toradh Gallery, Ashbourne, December 2009

Sostice “In Between” Gallery, Navan, January 2010

While the exhibitions got a lot of attention and visitors it is evident that the recession has hit the art world and it is generally agreed that for the next year - or two - we will be busy making art and not selling too much.

Not complaining!

Upcoming Exhibitions:

07.04.10 - 20.04.10: Gallery space, Cabra Library, Dublin 7 - Spring Show - Old Schoolhouse Art Group

22.04.10 - 30.04.10: Gallery space, Cabra Library, dublin 7 - “Tripych” - Level 6 figurative paintings with 2 friends.

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.