Carl Doran

Selected by panel, the University of Limerick approached me around October last to produce a work to be included in their collection. It’s a great honour for me, and I was absolutely thrilled. After 4/5 months work, I was happy to hand it in to Normoyle&Frawley Framers before it lands at its final destination.

I often think that we’re more the sum of our parts when it comes to being identifiable- where we live, what we own, who our friends are. I wanted to construct something that did a bit more than just relay facial structure or hair colour, for example.

I did a quick sketch, an idea for a collage(above), with the intention of creating a mini collection of things in my front room – paintings, musical instruments, favorite mug and of course, my cat friends, who like to be in as much as possible.

As the piece progressed there were changes, but here is a cropped version (we’ll wait ’til it’s officially unveiled!). This represents about the bottom right 1/4 of the piece.

Watch this space for info on the unveiling, scheduled for this June!!!

I’m delighted to be part of SAW 2, small artworks exhibition Thursday next. Organised by my former tutor in Limerick School of Arts Painting Department, and well respected Artist Gavin Hogg, the show will also feature (Isa)Bella Walsh, Sheila Richardson, Julie Brazil and Nuala O’Sullivan from Contact Studios, along with Gavin himself, and PJ O’Connell.

The show will take place in The Mews, 14 Schoolhouse Lane in Limerick, from Friday 2 December to Sunday the 4th, open 12-6pm.

I’m showing 3 pieces, all made in situ- a plein air piece from an orchard in Clare, and two paintings completed at home featuring my four legged friends (as shown).

We’re delighted to have Úna Mc Carthy, Director of Limerick City Gallery to launch proceedings, and thank N0.1 Pery Square for sponsoring our reception. All are welcome back to the self same venue after for beverages and analysis of the night.

A big thank you to Gavin, and also to Professional Fine Art photographer Declan Greene for documenting the work at short notice. These images are compressed of course for the internet it should be noted.

 

Delighted to have two works re-presented in the Limerick City Gallery of Art (LCGA) this September/October, courtesy of Simon Fennessy Corcoran, current Shinnors Scholar.

These two works were first shown in the South Gallery, as part of You Should Really Go There, curated and ably handled by Seán Lynch. The two pieces (a small part of my contribution to the original show) are visual deconstructions of still-lifes featuring food from the City Gallery Permanent Collection. The food from my chosen works was then prepared and cooked by Master Joiner Raymond Griffin, in a ready-made café constructed by Seán. Our Contact Studios colleague at the time, Michele Horrigan also created some beautiful pinhole camera prints in situ. also, complementing the show as examination of place and purpose.

I believe it to be the only show in the gallery that had a punk band playing in the basement simultaneous to the opening also, with Con Cremin, Fiona and Mickey giving it socks.

A word of sincere thanks to Simon on his excellent installation which was completed with sympathy and good judgement. When transposing works of this nature to differing areas and contexts it’s very easy to lose sight and logic in the name of practicality. This most certainly wasn’t the case here and I wish him well.

I’d also like to mention Mike Mc Loughlin whose audio mapping of Limerick through various organisation’s conversations led to this showing. Mike was one of the founders of Contact Studios almost 20 years ago, and his show Cumann is an intricate audio experience, with our studio members forming part of the ‘grid’. It’s to be experienced in the South Gallery as I write.

Lastly thanks also to Úna McCarthy, LCGA Director for green-lighting the show, and kind words.

Friday September 16 2016 from 5 – 9pm we’ll open our doors to the public, offering hospitality and art and in addition in a first for us, a Limerick Film Premier.

At 7.30pmish we’ll show my good friend and Contact Studios Alumnus Seán Lynch’s ‘Campaign to Change the National Monuments Act’, a short film he showed recently in the RHA in Dublin.

In the film Seán effectively queries the reasoning behind laws in Ireland regarding the use/abuse of metal detectors. In my first onscreen role I characterise the hapless metal detectorist going about his business, unaware of the gravity of the situation.

It’s fun and informative, and should add a lot to Limerick’s Culture Night scene!!

image: Sean Lynch Campaign to Change the National Monuments Act video still, courtesy Kevin Kavanagh Gallery Dublin & Ronchini Gallery London

 

I’ve been working on some paintings while also nearing completion of my Skippy’s Tale illustrated book. The piece on the left in progress is based on a sketch of Mandy and her mother Squealer sleeping on the couch. It’s hard to say how much more work will go into it – certainly some more layers of solid paint/ dry – brushing and some light glazes at least.

On the right a painting made in situ in an orchard near Clonlara, Co. Clare. The day started out sunny but rain began in earnest after about an hour and a half and brought proceedings to a close. I think I managed to get something of the trees’ lyrical structure, and hearing random apples drop in their own time around me was an extremely pleasant experience.

My thanks to fellow artist Declan Greene for letting me tag along!

 

Next up – news on Culture Night 2016.

After over a year’s work I am near completion on Skippy’s Tale, my second illustrated Cat’s Tales book. While it is a story (albeit based on real events), my intention is to create a childrens’ book whereby Death or Loss can be approached in a subtle way, without purporting to provide answers.

The story concerns a stray cat who was taken in by my friend Des Hayes’ family when he was young. There was a tragic turn of events however, when Skippy’s kittens wandered into a snowy landscape and perished.

 

It’s not all tragedy though, as we recount also the happy moments of Skip’s life, and how she brought joy also, and had a comfortable existence with her human friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a short extract:

           ‘Emerging out of her home into the newly snow covered garden, she called for her young. But there was no response.

          From the high vantage of her roof she could not spy them, but observed a trio of tiny paw-prints, and followed them…’

I hope to go to print in August, and have a few launches around the country.

 

I requested my friend and well respected Art Photographer / Artist Declan Greene to see if he could do the impossible not so long ago – to photograph my super slick, multi layered semi – transparent paintings. As always, he came through with flying colours.

 

Here’s a small sample, but be aware these are compressed from about 7 – 10 Mb to 350 Kb or so, but the clarity and detail are super, close to 90% acurate, as opposed to 60% accuracy at best.

 

I’d highly recommend him, and I’m not getting a cut!!

www.greenelens.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My old friend and Contact Studios Alumnus will have a launch for his second illustrated book Friday, May 13th in the Shannon Rowing Club, Sarsfield Bridge at 8pm.

Hugo is, of course, a long time fan of our musical musings, and we were delighted to be asked to play to liven up the proceedings.

So, expect myself ‘The Highwayman’, Pam ‘The Sailor’ Dunne, Rory ‘The Dam builder, and Kevin ‘The Spaceman’ O’Keefe to bring our own original compositions and versions of personal favorites – come one come all!!!!!

 

Update!!

 

We had a great oul hooley in the rowing club, with over a hundred patrons attending. Great spread in the Limerick Leader newspaper also, while Myles Breen provided a great intro to the whole affair.

Well done Hugo!!

photo courtesy Dave Gaynor

Luggage Doors Operating my Audio/Visual Art music group were in full effect in Kilcornan, County Limerick Sunday May 1st. We were on hand to provide a thank you gig to all who helped raise 1,000euro for the Milford Hospice.

Organised by John Dunne, Pam ‘the Sailor’ Dunne’s Dad, we were delighted to give our time to the worthy cause. A savage night was had by all, and we got to be at our first ever big cheque presentation!!

I am delighted to be exhibiting in The Hunt Museum for the month of February, as part of the Curator’s Choice. When contacted by Naomi O’Nolan about the opportunity I had a hard task in deciding what work to exhibit, but settled on this moody outlook on my backyard. Its a medium sized oil painting on canvas on board, attempting to capture qualities of interior and exterior light, with a cameo by Mandy pondering the moonlight while perched on the shed roof.

An Artist Conversation on Wednesday February 24th at 11am in the Hunt Café will complement the showcase. All are welcome – but please, no tough questions!