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.

Spring Exhibition 2010

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.

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

Last Ooctober 2008 I retired as a social worker/probation officer and became an art student.

I decided I needed to create a proper art portfolio if I wanted to develop my painting/art hobby any further and commenced an Art Portfolio course at Dunboyne College of Further Education. The tutor is Bernie Leahey, an internationally known designer and textile artist. The course is 3 days pr. week and has 12/13 students of all ages.It covers 6 art modules, drawing, design, painting, mixed media, sculpture and embroidery.

It has proved to be very exciting, educational and inspiring and has pushed me out of my comfort zone.

In the Gallery you can view images of some of the projects completed to date.

The Irish Museum of Modern Art facilitates an open workshop at Studio 10 (in the converted stable block) every Friday morning and I have been attending since last October.  Participants get a quided tour of the current exhibitions (which is brilliant ) and then go back to the studio to create their own art work (which may not be as successful) inspired by the exhibitions.

The images below was inspired by the exhibition “In Praise of Shadows” which showed the history of animation art.

The arts group 2008 exhibition , entitled “Bru na Boinne” (Boyne Valley) is taking place at the Solstice art centre in Navan, Co. Meath. All are welcome to attend the opening on the 28th November at 8 pm. The exhibition runs until 23rd December.

MAG invite Boinne.pdf

Members are submitting three paintings or art work which will be selected on the 26th November. Below are my submissions

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.

Robert Ballagh and me