Happy Halloween!

Just to get into the Halloween vibe a little bit, here is the cover artwork I did some years ago for a book of ghost stories for Poolbeg Press. It was called Quiver!

Ziggy in the Studio

Ziggy is keeping me company in the studio to-day. 
So far he hasn't eaten anything important.....but the day is young!

The Illustrated Beatles

The Illustrated Beatles is an exhibition by Illustrators Ireland:
43 classic Beatles songs visualised by 43 leading illustrators.
Alas I was too busy to get involved with this one, but I went along to the Grand Social on Tuesday for the opening.

That's me signing Tom Donegan's t-shirt.
The opening night was a blast and the artwork is fabulous. You can have a look and even buy a print or two at The Copper House Gallery's page.
Congratulations to everyone involved and particulaly to Peter Donnelly who put a huge amount of work into organising the show.

Life Room Art at the UAC

 

I had a bit of fun with Eoin Coveney, Paul Stuart, and a few others, helping Brian Gallagher to hang his latest Life Drawing Group Exhibition at the United Arts Club this afternoon.

My paintings of Grace and Leo are in the show which will be opened by my old friend Louis Marcus this Thursday at 8pm.

Come along if you are in the area.  

The Return of "Telling Tall & Tiny Tales"

The folks from the Ark in Temple Bar have asked me to let you know that this painting from A Christmas Carol will be included along with original artwork from Oscar Wilde: Stories for Children and The King of Ireland's Son in the second run of their Telling Tall & Tiny Tales exhibition. There will also be lots of artwork by other Irish illustrators

The exhibition itself is running at The Ark from 29 October, throughout the midterm break week, and every weekend in November.

A Portrait Sketch of Jim

I did a portrait sketch (above) of my old pal and one of my favourite models, Jim Lucey.
He has a great presence and wonderful concentration as a model.
Like me, Jim is a bit of a history buff.....you can follow his interest in Ancient Rome on his FaceBook page.
I took a video of the process which was a bit tricky this time.
I'll see if I can edit it down and I'll post it at some future time.
Below are two older studies I did of Jim.

Winsor McCay's Little Nemo in Googleland

I've been a huge fan of Winsor McCay's Little Nemo for many years.
His work, above, has been hugely influential in the history of illustration and also in animation.
I was delighted when Magaret Ann Suggs of Illustrators Ireland pointed out that Google have done a very clever little animated tribute to McCay on their search engine.
Click here and enjoy!

Medieval Street Rough ...Figures added

Here's how that medieval street scene is developing.
I have altered the view in the distance to include a bendy road down to the docks and I have added the various figures in the foreground.

Our protagonists are over on the far right trying to figure out a way to get safely on board a ship.

Auction in aid of the United Arts Club

The United Arts Club in Dublin is a lovely relaxed spot to hang out and gossip about whichever Art you are into.
They are having an auction on Wed 10th October in the Club in aid of the UAC RESTORATION FUND.
I have contributed this little life study in oils. It measures 8x10 inches. 
Viewing is from 5pm and the Auction starts at 7 p.m. 
Admission: €5 includes wine and raffle.
It will be well worth a look as some wonderful paintings and interesting items have been donated.

"Tales of Seduction," by Una Gildea

My friend Una Gildea had a great launch of her latest exhibition, "Tales of Seduction," last Thursday at the Copper House Gallery in Dublin.

Sean Hillen made an excellent opening speech and there was a very appropriate musical number from the Nualas to add to the fun.
Una's collages are brilliant. Do go and see them if you are in the area.
The show runs till the 20th of October.

Portrait Sketch of Kurt

Here's another one in my occasional series of portrait sketches.

RHA School Workshops

Apparently there are a couple of places left on this workshop in November, but if you are interested, you have to apply for a place by the 7th of October.