New Paintings

Sleeping Cats and en plein air orchard painting
Sleeping Cats and en plein air orchard painting

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.

Skippy’s Tale Update

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.

Skippy and family
Skippy and family

 

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.

 

Three unfortunates
Three unfortunates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

New Photo’s

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

 

Red Dusk
Red Dusk
On the couch
On the couch
Out of the Rain
Out of the Rain
Furze Dusk
Furze Dusk

Luggage Doors Operating for Limerick Slang Book launch for Hugh (Hugo) McMahon

Hugo Mc Mahon admires his own publication
Hugo McMahon admires his own publication
Limerick slang
Limerick slang

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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!!

Luggage Doors Operating
Luggage Doors Operating

photo courtesy Dave Gaynor

Luggage Doors Operating 2016

Luggage Doors Operating with John Dunne
Luggage Doors Operating with John Dunne

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!!

Cats at the Hunt Museum! February 2016

Moonlight, Mandy, Thomondgate
Moonlight, Mandy, Thomondgate

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!

Luggage Doors Operating perform at Durty Words, Sample Studios, Cork, Friday 29January, 6.30pm.

Durty Words
Durty Words

Myself and my fellow Luggage Doors Operating members are taking our peculiar brand of music and visual art hi-jinks to Cork City Friday 29th January. Organised by Kate O’Shea and others from the Limerick Printmakers, in collaboration with Sample Studios of Cork, there should be something for everyone. It’s all kicking off at 6.30pm so do come along if you’re round, or even make the trip especially!

It’s a homecoming of sorts for Kevin ‘Kevlar’ O’Keefe, main axe-man with the group, so we’ll be trying hard not to let the side down. Also we welcome Shannon on concertina and Liam on the fiddle for part of the set, an ongoing collaboration with two other Fine Artists.

Only Westmeath to go on our Hometown visits now!!

Dublin book launch of Mathilda’s Tale in Steambox, August 21st, 7-9pm

Steambox book launch
Steambox book launch

My good friends in Steambox in School Street, Dublin 8 are kindly facilitating the Dublin launch of Mathilda’s Tale. We’re hoping to have a good crowd and a bit of craic, and hopefully give our Dublin based friends a chance to come along and see the book and some cat related drawings.

It’s all about informality here, so if you’re about do drop in!

Voice-over for Adventure: Capital by Seán Lynch

 

In the Recording Studio
In the Recording Studio

I was flattered to be asked by my good friend Seán Lynch to provide a voice-over for his commission representing Ireland at the 2015 Venice Biennale. I provided the voice for a John Burke sculpture, alongside Gina Moxley as the main Narrator.

It is a brilliant show, and if ye can’t make it to Venice, it will travel around Ireland subsequently.

Homecoming Book Launch in Chimera Gallery, Mullingar, 22nd May, 6-9pm

Dave O' Shea, Chimera Gallery (photo courtesy Chimera Gallery)
Dave O’ Shea, Chimera Gallery (photo courtesy Chimera Gallery)

The Chimera Gallery in my hometown of Mullingar, Co.Westmeath have kindly agreed to facilitate the Midlands launch of my illustrated story, Mathilda & the Belligerent Blackbird. The event itself will be a casual affair and open to all in the surrounds of the spacious and well lit gallery, which houses some great contemporary art and craft (particularly paintings and ceramics).

I called into Dave O’Shea the proprietor a number of months ago, on the advice of my good friend Gemma Dardis a Ceramicist based in Limerick, but from Westmeath. She recommended the ethos of the man and the venue, and I concur. Dave has been very gracious in providing this platform, and I wish him every success, and I would thoroughly recommend regular visits to the emporium.

On a side note, the aforementioned Gemma Dardis will have her own show of ceramics in the Chimera in October, for which my band Luggage Doors Operating will provide a live soundtrack of sorts. Given Gemma’s love of Joe Dolan, expect some sort of tribute to him at some stage (practice going well of course!).

32 Oliver Plunkett St, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
087 803 8357