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.

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.

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.

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

MAG invite Boinne.pdf

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