Painting Ciaran at Kennedy Art

 Ciaran is another artist who has a studio at La Catedral studios, and seeing him around the place I always thought he would make a great model for one of my portrait workshops.
These are some photos from Saturday's event where we had a very talented and enthusiastic group of artists.
Eva and Kevin are both experienced artists, and they had travelled all the way from Cork for the day, so I was delighted that they got so much out of it.
I didn't make a great sketch on the day myself but at Cavan's two-day event this weekend I hope to do better.

Owl Babies

I had some company in my cosy attic bedroom at Kate's place in Normandy during our week of painting.Four owl babies were nestling in an ingenious space in the wall just behind one of the pictures.     
No kidding!

Sometimes I could just hear them being fed by their parents during the night, but I was usually too zonked out after a hard day's painting.
Owl Babies by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Patrick Benson, was one of our favourite bedtime books when my kids were very small. 
I loved so many things about that book. Martin's text is masterful, but I also love the way Patrick has so accurately depicted the owl babies as being ugly and cute at the same time.

Painting in Normandy

Here is a slideshow showing a selection of images from a wonderful week of drawing and painting at a gorgeous location in France. 

Celebrating Niamh Sharkey and Illustrators Ireland

Tonight sees the opening of "Celebrating Niamh Sharkey and IGI" (Illustrators Guild of Ireland) at the Illustration Cupboard in London. 

As Niamh's very successful tenure as Laureate Na NÓg nears it'sclose, the prestigious Illustration Cupboard is mounting an exhibition of her work, and Niamh has kindly shared the limelight with members of IGI who, like her, work in the field of Children's books. My picture is below.

I wish I could be there for the launch party. Have a great night guys!

Painting Trip to Normandy

I am delighted to be leaving today with a lovely group of artists for what I am sure will be a very enjoyable week of painting in Normandy. 

I will be teaching portraiture, still-life painting and even some landscape if the weather is kind to us. Hopefully I will get the chance to do a bit of painting myself.
I can’t wait to see the 17th century maison de maitre where we will be staying.
Here are a few photos from dear Irene who has made all the arrangements.