Countdown

There's only a handful of days left before the opening of my very first solo show. The large pieces are framed, a few paintings are being finished, and I'm working out the hanging arrangement in my head. Lists are being made, last minute invites are being sent, the website is being tweaked and fingers are being crossed.
It is exciting, there's no doubt about it, and I'm looking forward to hearing the response from people, most of whom have never seen my work, or know what I do. I have already gotten some positive feedback from people who I really respect, so that is comforting. But it'll be different on the night, of course.
It's slightly nerve wracking, this thing that we do. Making art and then presenting it to the world. Like a new baby that we think is the most beautiful thing ever created, and everyone coo's over it...but what do they really think, in the comfort of their own home, far away from the new mother? Who knows. But that's not really the point either. We don't make art for the sake of appeasing the public en masse. We make it because we have to, and there is no rhyme or reason to it really. We would make it even if it was never seen by another living soul.
But it's always nice when it is, and that's what I'm looking forward to.

The Invisible Circus...is coming soon!

detail from Live Softly upon this Earth

It's true, it is. The Invisible Circus is on it's merry way. 

My very first solo show is opening in the Charlestown Arts Centre on the 25th of October at 7.30pm ! And I'm very happy to say that published poet and author, John Corelss will be opening it for me.

Since finishing college, I've been busily working away on a collection of drawings and ideas, so I'm thrilled that they will be out in the world for a little while! Luckily the show overlaps with the John Healy weekend, so I'll be getting a bit of exposure :) 

I'm looking forward to seeing the pieces on. the. wall. Seeing them at their full size is another major plus. And of course welcoming anyone and everyone who comes to the show. It will be so. so. nice.

So excited.

Summer update

A friend pointed out to me the other day that I haven't updated my blog in like, ages. So I thought I would put up a little teaser, and also a reminder to myself to just. keep. going.

I suppose I've taken a mini break from this because my brother is building a website for me, which, hopefully, will be up by the end of the summer. 

In other news, the summer is going well, the garden is doing good and the weather is holding up! For the most part.

Hopefully, the next time I updateing, it will be on the new site! Till then :) x

Hot off the Presses!

Well it's that time of the year again, when all the little subversive, undergrounders gather in celebration of our uniqueness. Yes, you guessed it, Independents Day! I'm so pleased to say that I have made a new zine for this year's show and my lovely friend is featuring it on her stall. Unfortunately I won't be able to make it up myself because of other commitments.
Anyhooo, here's a little peak at the new zine Philophobia...which happens to be a colouring book...the idea is that people will colour it in, and add more to it, then take photos/scan it and email them back to me so I can have a little online show. I like the idea of reworking the drawings and seeing what other people would do with them. Sometimes it's nice to not be so precious with our work. It's meant for everyone to enjoy.

It's an accordion book and the images are printed onto canvas paper. The inside coloured sheet is dyed paper I've been saving since college and the front and back covers are done by hand. This is a first edition of 4, but I'm definitely going to be making a second edition. So if you're interested, please get in touch. An interactive coulouring book at 4 euro, hot off the press for your little paws to enjoy doodling all over.

Sometimes

Sometimes I take a break and do something for fun, just for me. For practice, or something. Or at least that's my excuse. This is that sort of something.
Michelle Keegan, or Tina from Coronation Street, is actually the only reason I watch the show. Her story lines are completely gripping and my heart at the moment is breaking for her. Tina, obviously, not Michelle.
Anyways, here's some crazy fan-girl art I threw together this morning, because if I don't do 'fun things' every so often, I begin to HATE everything I draw.

It's better this way, I'm sure you'll agree...even if it is a bit creepy.

Art Giveaway!!

Final Eleel?

I should have mentioned that yesterday was only a rough draft. Or it was when I looked at it again this morning.
I love the way drawings, writing, films, poems, food, building, gardens...everything evolves...or most things do at least. And I always get a kick when I see a "work in progress" and the sketch/pencil/final outline/colour/coloured over/coloured again stages.
I'm happy with this now...but who knows what tomorrow will bring!

E's and L's

There is a bit of a story to this...that won't be fully explained until I find the original drawing (which up until this morning was in plain sight, but now has gone totally missing)...
When I was at college, sharing a studio with two other girls, boredom or insanity got to one of the girls and she decided to combine all our names into one, and do like, a little studio logo type thing :)
I found it when I was moving into my new studio, and thought...hey, this could use a touch of updating.
So here it is, in all it's newness and glory. I'm meeting up with the girls at the end of the month and just can't wait. It's going to be so. much. fun.
I hope they like it !
>^.^<

Doodlers Anonymous

Most of my work is done using photoshop, where I feel I have ultimate control and unlimited possibilities. Sometimes it's nice to go old school, be looser and not so controlling with every single pixel. This is a piece I was messing around with a few weeks ago and finally finished for the purpose of submitting to the new DoodlersAnonymous challenge. I've been answering their challenges for the last couple of years and it gives me such a kick to see my work next to other artists'.

The brief was to doodle your ride...I wish this is what I cruised around in, a stylised three-eyed, tree growing rocky mountain sheep! Anyways, ta-dah! And when voting starts in a day's time, vote ShelkyBean :D

Little Green

I am so please to announce that this drawing was accepted for The Little Green gallery's 2nd year 'birthday' exhibition, kicking off tomorrow for one week only in Dublin. It's entitled Elephant Dream and is one of the first drawings I have produced this year.

The gallery looks cute as a button and it's such an honor to have a piece going up on their walls, I'm tickled pink!

Studio

The light today and yesterday has been fab, we are totally spoiled with the lovely blue of the sky, heaven.

A tentative attempt with oils on glass. I like the glow o.O

Detail from a new drawing. 

The organised chaos of my table.

Back Again!

Hello All! I'm pleased to say that I'm back again. I took a relatively short break to explore other avenues and get much needed projects done, but here I am, ready for this new year and everything that awaits me in it.

This is a work in progress, but I just couldn't help sharing. It should be finished shortly, along with several other pieces I'm working on at the moment.

It feels so nice to be drawing again !

Happy spring to everyone near and far x