Visit 2013

I am putting together a wall of life paintings in the hall outside my studio for Visit on Saturday 11th May.

Visit is a city-wide open studio day. 

In Dublin City, artist’s studios old and new exist in a variety of buildings including industrial warehouses, Georgian buildings, converted stables and former shop units. You might not be aware that the building on the corner or down the road from your house is actually a hub of artistic activity. If you have ever been curious about what goes on inside an artists studios, Visit 2013 is your chance to find out! 

You are welcome to come an visit us La Catedral Studios and The Back Loft.

Most of the artists, including el Presidente, Anthony, will be here from noon till 6pm and there should be a great atmosphere. There is also the added attraction of Feel Free to Jam, where musicians are invited to bring their instruments and jam around our piano at the back Loft.

I'll be rushing up to the studio after my portraiture workshop at Kennedy Art, so I will be here between 4pm and 6pm. 
I hope to see some of you then.

My New Studio

I'm very excited to have moved to a new space in an artists' collective studio building in the heart of old Dublin.
Inside it is still a mess of boxes, but hopefully it will be a hive of creative activity after the break.
Happy Holidays everyone!

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 Drawing Studio

I had a great evening's drawing at Sam Horler's life session at the Drawing Studio, Clarendon Street, Dublin.

He begins with two minute studies, and quickly progresses to longer poses.

I did this drawing during the final hour long pose.

Sarah , the model, was excellent, but the best thing about Sam's life room is the really great lighting arrangement he has set up.

He also supplies materials and tea and coffee during the break. How cool is that?

I think the drawing sessions are on on Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays. Check Sam's website for details.

The View From My Studio Window

It's funny the things you sometimes see just looking out of the studio window.
I was watching this man struggling with his bicycle, when......look what happened.

Brrrrrr!

Speaking of my studio, here's how it is looking right now.


We've had about ten days of freezing temperatures and the deepest snow I can ever remember in Ireland.
It will pass in a week or so, but the poor Selfish Giant had winter in his garden for years.
Below is my illustration to "The Selfish Giant" from "Oscar Wilde; Stories for Children".
I've been thinking about Oscar a good deal this week as it is one hundred and ten years since he died, and BBC Radio 7 has been broadcasting his letters and short stories. You can get them for about a week at this link.


"The Snow covered up the grass with her great white cloak, and the Frost painted all the trees silver. Then they invited the North Wind to stay with them, and he came. He was wrapped in furs, and he roared all day about the garden, and blew the chimney-pots down. “This is a delightful spot,” he said, “we must ask the Hail on a visit.” So the Hail came. Every day for three hours he rattled on the roof of the castle till he broke most of the slates, and then he ran round and round the garden as fast as he could go. He was dressed in grey, and his breath was like ice."

Real Snow in Dublin!

It's nice to have a bit of snow, but it hasn't been great for me getting back to work. My studio (above) has been pretty bloomin' cold so, even with the heaters on full, I'm actually having to work in a big coat and two pairs of pants. Now I just need a pair of fingerless gloves.
On top of everything my computer has just died.... I think it froze to death at the weekend.
Hopefully verything will be back to normal very soon.