Enchanted Ireland

This painting from "Oscar Wilde: Stories for Children" will also be in the Cologne show which is on from the 2nd to 15th June at the Altes Pfandhaus, Karthäuser Wall 20, 50678 Köln.
Admission is free.
The show is part of Cologne's Irish Children's Book festival which is entitled "Enchanted Ireland".

From "The Candlewick Book of Fairy Tales"

Here are three more pictures that are going to be in the Cologne exhibition that I am taking part in in June.
These are from the "The Candlewick Book of Fairy Tales" by Sarah Hayes.

Ireland's Favourite Painting

I was delighted to hear that Frederic William Burton’s "Hellelil and Hildebrand, the Meeting on the Turret Stairs" has been voted Ireland’s favourite painting in a nationwide poll.
I think that those type of polls are often a bit silly, but this one got it right in my opinion, so it is OK by me.
The painting is in the National Gallery of Ireland but, as it is a watercolour, it is only exhibited three times a week for an hour at a time. So check the NGI website before you go along to see it.
I have been very fond of this beautiful picture since I first saw it about twenty five years ago, and it has certainly influenced aspects of my illustration work.

Cool Painting Kit

We're having a pretty hot spell here in Ireland right now.
It's lovely weather, but when it's so sticky it gets hard to work.
That's when I dig out my cool and airy Thobe.
I can really recommend it as a painting outfit.

Leo, the Cyclist

Leo was our model last week.
He is a lovely Japanese guy with an amazing physique, and a crazy hairstyle.
I would love to get a chance to paint him again, but it won't be possible as he is off again on his round-the-world cycling trip.

PJ Portrait Study by Ronan Goti

While I was painting away yesterday in the life room, my friend Ronan Goti was doing this brilliant study of me.
I was really impressed because I wasn't staying still for him at all.
Ronan has a show opening in Malahide library on Saturday 19th May from 2pm to 5pm.
So do pop in if you are in the area.

Two Paintings from "When Jessie Came Across the Sea "

Here are a couple of paintings from "When Jessie Came Across the Sea" by Amy Hest.
These two are also going to be in the Cologne exhibition.

Ignis in Germany

Here are three of my illustrations from Ignis by Gina Wilson, which are among a bunch that are winging their way to Cologne in Germany for an exhibition.
I'll post a few more next week with more info about the show and venue.

A Quick Study of Sarah

It was a nice change to do some quick fire drawing at Brian Gallagher's life session at the United Arts Club last week.
Our model was Sarah, and this is one of my fifteen minute studies from that session.

The New Laureate na nÓg: Niamh Sharkey

I am delighted by the news that my good pal Niamh Sharkey has just been announced as the next Laureate na nÓg. The announcement was made this morning by President Higgins.
It's a great honour for Niamh, and a great responsibility, but she is well up to the task and I know she will be a wonderful Laureate.
Best of luck to you Niamh and many congratulations!

Oisín in Tir na n'Og

These are two pictures from Oisín in Tir na n'Og which is one of the stories in the book of Irish legends that I did with Marie Heaney, The Names Upon The Harp.
Ireland of the Welcomes magazine has featured them in their current issue.


I was really pleased with the look of Oisín as "a feeble blind old man".
Alas, a lot of that lovely detail always gets lost when a piece is reduced in print.

A Half Finished Nude

It has been getting quite turbulent recently at the life session I attend, which is a great shame. The life room should be a friendly sanctuary for concentrated study of a model.
Here is a painting I did of one of our new models, Louise.
She found she couldn't hold the pose so we had to abandon it half way through the afternoon.
I didn't mind too much though as I like the unfinished, sketchy effect in this one.