Photo from the Peak of Hong Kong island looking towards Kowloon.
In Hong Kong
I’m currently travelling to see our daughter in Australia. At the moment my wife and I are in Hong Kong for a few days to break the journey. I haven’t had much painting time but there’s a lot of culture to absorb and learn from.
Closing Party at the Expose Yourself Gallery
It was a fun evening with a tinge of sadness, last Friday at the closing party for the Expose Yourself Gallery in the Dun Laoghaire Shopping Centre. Everyone was in good spirits with wine and good company. Karen Harper, the owner/curator added a lot of laughs with her award ceremony. All awards had humorous and almost appropriate titles. I had the honour of receiving the ‘Wonder Bra’ Award- In recognition of valuable contributions and support to the gallery and for making things look pretty.
Photo shows Ed with Karen Harper, owner/curator of the Expose Yourself Gallery. Karen holds Life’s Paths which Ed presented to her and Ed holds the Wonder Bra award which Karen had presented to him. What a pair!
CGSociety Competition
During the week was the deadline for entry into the CG Society’s NVArt - Design Fusion competition. I had to work in a lot of extra time to get the piece finished. It’s still not finished, I have yet to add another 6 families to complete the piece as I had originally planned it. The competition entry has 15 families. I’ve spent 90 hours on this piece so far, probably the most time I’ve invested in any picture to date. Click here to see the entry.
St Stephen’s Green
Next weekend sees the first of the three People’s Art shows, for 2008, on the railings of St. Stephens Green in Dublin. There will be up to 200 artists exhibiting and a great place to pick up some nice work. There will be full time professional artists, emerging artists and armature artists showing their work. It is well worth a visit. Unfortunatly I won’t be there as I’m heading to Australia to visit my daughter and brother.
Expose Yourself Closing Party
Sadly the Expose Yourself Gallery is closing. The landlords can’t see the value in attracting people into the Dun Laoghaire Shopping Centre to see the work of local artists. Karen, who runs the gallery, is going out in style. She’s organised a …
Closing Party!
It’s on next Friday at 7 pm in the gallery, top floor of the shopping centre.
If you are looking for a nice piece of art you should find it there. There are 20 or 30 artists showing their work there in all types of genres and styles. There are landscapes and castles, rock stars and metal, fairies and flowers, beauty and beasts and even something spiritual. There are oils, acrylics, photos, prints, stained glass, sculpture, metal, scarves, wood, a
Don’t miss it because after Sunday the gallery will be gone.
Friday Evening Holistic Fair
Last week I mentioned this fair which ran from 5 pm until midnight at the Hilton Airport Hotel, Dublin, Ireland. I’d have to say it wasn’t a great success, not a lot of people visited the fair. I was happy enough with the evening as I met a few nice people and number of friends called in.
The photo shows left to right: Ed, Sarah, Liam and Berni. Liam had given some prints as gifts to friends, but decided it was time he had the River of God for himself.
Rio, Newbridge, Co. Kildare
During the week I dropped into see Deirdre in Rio, a fashion accessory shop and gallery in Newbridge, Co. Kildare. It’s a great place for a unique range of hand bags, jewellery and art. You’ll find it at the side exit of the White Water shopping centre.
Deirdre has a number of framed prints of mine and has now takeen some of the A4 prints which retail at just €60. If you are in the area, drop in a say hello. She has a lovely bubbly personality and will brighten your day just to chat to her.
Friday Evening Holistic Fair
This fair runs from 5 pm until midnight next Friday in the Hilton Airport Hotel, Dublin (map), Ireland. It’s the first time I’ve done an evening show and the first time I’ve exhibited till the witching hour. The organiser expects up to 2,000 people to come through the doors. It’ll be interesting, I’ll give you a report nest week.
Vatican is looking for a few Michelangelos!
Pope Benedict XVI has launched a campaign to seek out “world- famous” artists to decorate its new church buildings. You can read the London Independent’s article here. There is also an insightful comment on the Vatican’s approach by Menachem Wecker on his blog Iconia – wherever faith meets art.
I’m not in the world-famous category yet but if your name is Benedict XVI and your reading this, I’d be happy add some of my spiritual visions to your churches. :-)
Progress on Family Tapestry
I’m still working on Family Tapestry. This is now the hard slog where I’ve to dress all the ‘families’ in their appropriate gear. This detail shows a scene from Atlantis on top and China below. I have yet to add in buildings and props, they come after everyone has their cloths on.
Holistic Fair in Monasterevin
There was a reasonable turnout at the Fair in the Hazel Hotel, Monasterevin. Lots of nice people. Gerry Coleman who I met at the Clane Holistic Fair was my neighbour again. “This picture (Sacred Place) has a wonderful healing energy, just looking at can heal a person” he told me and he should being an energy healer.
My other neighbours were Tony and Siobhan of Dream Weaver Crystals, in Finglas. Tony spent 3 years in Ecuador with the Indians there, learning their healing arts. Looking at him you’d say he was in his early fifties. He told me he is 68, two years away from 70! He still plays football and does a few gigs playing drums around the country. He says it is his healing work Dream Weaver Crystals, 5A McKee Avenue, Finglas, Dublin 11. So if you are in the area it is worth a visit. It’s just around the corner from Superquinn in the centre of the village.
I also met artist Liana Lovie. She's a psychic artist who currently does portraits of clients using pastels. She has only been painting for a year or so and I have to say her work is good. She paints pictures of people’s spirit guides. There is more info on her web site.
Holistic Fair in Monasterevin, Co. Kildare
Sunday 18th May, 11am until 6pm
If you are in the area call in to the Hazel Hotel in Monasterevin where I’ll have my stand and all my pictures. I may even have some sweets for you. :-)
Nuala Ó Faoláin dies
A few weeks ago I mentioned here, the interview of Nuala Ó Faoláin on Irish radio, RTE1, with Marian Finucane, where she spoke about her feelings, fears and emotions on her impending death. Nuala died on Friday last 9th of May.
On her show, last Staurday, Marion told us how Nuala was touched by the warmth and love from listeners in her predicament. She received many letters and messages thanking and praising her for her honesty. She was in the process of trying to answer some of the letters as she approached her final hours. Marion said, Nuala found joy and peace in the love given to her through the many positive comments she received. I’m sure she was pleasantly surprised by the events as her body ceased working and she was released from it into a lighter and brighter place. Her friends, who had gone before her, would have greeted her like a hero returning home. It was a time to celebrate her release and her achievements in the life she had just finished. Now doubt she has discovered that she is somebody and something more than her body. May the blessings be.
Terenure College Art Sale
There's an Art Sale in Terenure College, Dublin 6W, Ireland in aid of the refurbishment of the College Concert Hall. The College has this Art Sale every year to help fund some project or other. It is quiet a popular sale with most pieces selling quickly. If you are around the area it'll be worth a visit. I've got Sacred Place, Sacred Steps and River Sanctuary in the A2 size for sale there. Opening hours are: Friday 9th May 7pm to 10pm; Saturday 10th -10am to 6pm; Sunday 11th – 10am to 6pm.
Holistic Fair, Monasterevin (moved from Postlaoise)
The Holistic Fair I mentioned last week has moved location from Portlaoise to Monasterevin. It’ll be in the Hazel Hotel, Monasterevin, Co. Kildare, on Sunday 18th May between 11am and 6pm. This is a pleasant and unexpected turn of events where I am exhibiting my art in my home town. I’ll have to tell a few of my old pals to call in a see me. If you are in the area do drop in. Moansterevin is 40 miles South of Dublin on the M7 motorway. A nice trip into the countryside.
CG Society
The image above is the beginnings of a new picture I’m working on. I’ve entered it into a competition on CGSociety.org (Computer Graphics Society). They encourage you to put up posts as you progress in developing your image. People add in their comments and advice on the piece as it progresses. There is an explanation of the concept on the first post here and if you like you can add your comments and recommendations to it. It’s a very nice and thriving art site and community, well worth a look around.
I’ve entered for the Olympics
Have you heard of ARTIADE - Olympics of Visual Art 2008 Beijing / Los Angeles?
Long, long ago when the Olympic games were held it was not only a meeting of athletes but also of artist. In other words, every Olympic nation will sends not only its athletes, but also its artists, who will reflect the cultural identity of their countries of origin.“…It is the artists’ works that tell us about life in the countries from which they come…” Gerhard Mack, (’art’ Magazine, Germany).
Sounds like a good idea, doesn’t it. Artiade was re-introduced into the Olympic Games at the Atlanta in 1995 and again in 2004 in Athens. It is being held again on the occasion of the Olympics in Beijing and Los Angeles.
I’ve entered two pieces for the Artiade, River Sanctuary and Outside the Box. Of course there is whole jury of judges to go through to be accepted for the exhibition but at least I can say I’ve entered for the Olympics. :->
Portlaoise Holistic Fair
There is another Holistic Fair coming up. This time it’s in Portlaoise in the Hermitage Hotel, in the centre of town, on Sunday 18th May, 11.00 am till 7.00pm. If you live in Dublin get on to the N7 and drive South for about 55 miles. It’s motorway all the way.
Click on the photo above to see how the stand looks without the covering material.
Stand Design
A few weeks ago I had a stand a holistic fair. It was a worthwhile venture and I’ll be doing more. It was in a hotel and the organisers provided us with a table and a few chairs. Nothing to hang pictures on and no stand system like we get at Art Ireland and the Mind Body Spirit fair.
I had to come up with a cheap, easily erected stand which could collapse into as small a space as possible, as I would have to transport it and the framed pictures to the venue. One of the supermarkets was doing a promotion selling a DIY scaffolding system which had 2 aluminium ladders and a platform which fitted between them. This I used as the basis of the stand. I then got 7 sheets of 9mm MDF, 60 cm x 180cm, about 30 bolts and 6 lengths of timber.
After a bit of planning, a little cutting, some drilling I had the basic construction. The scaffold system was pretty steady and the timber and bolts held the MDF panels in place firmly. I then bought 9 metres of cream material and draped it over the whole thing. The material was over 2 m wide so it covered the panels top to bottom. It was a matter of starting in one corner and wrapping the whole stand in the material.
The next problem was how to hang the pictures. At the Mind Body Spirit fair the stand system was made of laminated plastic panels which couldn’t be nailed or screwed. I had some climbing type hooks and along with some chain and S hooks they worked well as a hanging system. So the climbing hooks went into the end ring of the chain and hooked onto the top of the MDF panels. Using S hooks it was easy to hang the picture on the chains.
It all fitted into the car but I couldn’t get any of my A0 size frames in as the stand system was taking up the length of the car. I’m now thinking of getting something that can take a decent load. Here’s the approximate costs:
Scaffold ladder system………….€100
MDF panels, timber & bolts……€140
Material…………………….........…….€70
Chain & hooks…………......………..€60
Total……………………..........……….€370
It worked well on the day. It was sturdy and there was no danger of it falling apart. It held the pictures nicely and the scaffold platform created a nice desk which held the smaller prints and would still have room for the laptop if necessary. It took me about to hours to get it up with all the pictures in place and the title cards of each piece along with the price list. Taking it down took about an hour. I’m happy enough with it for now. If I come across a system that is lighter and quicker to erect I will probably consider getting it but for now it works well.
If you’re thinking of doing something similar and you need any more details just submit a comment by clicking on the word Comments below.
Holistic Fair in Clane, Co. Kildare. On Sunday last, I had a stand at the Holistic Fair in Clane, Co Kildare which was a well attended event as regards visitors and exhibitors. There was the usual range of products and services available including fortune telling, massage, healing products, books and crystals.
My neighbour was Gerry Coleman, an energy healer and hypnotherapist. He told me my pictures had an energy of their own and an energy from me.
This energy was demonstrated a few hours later when a woman came over to the stand to the picture Soul Overseeing. She said she was drawn to it as soon as she entered the room. She couldn't wait to get over to it. As we chatted about the picture she’d burst into giggles saying "I can't believe the energy, I love it, it connects with me so much."
You’ll find Soul Overseeing on the web site here. See if it has any affect on you.
Tea & Sandwiches There was a pleasant surprise around lunchtime,at the Holistic Fair, when some young girls came around with free tea and sandwiches for the exhibitors. It was a nice touch which was appreciated by us exhibitors.
Stand Design I haven't had time to write about the stand design which I mentioned in last weeks blog, as my time was consumed putting it up and taking it down. :-( I'll tell you all about it next week.
The video below was posted on Alison Stanfield’s blog last week. It’s from a TV show in the States where they ask the public a question. They then add animation to the interview sound track. The question asked was “What is art?” It’s worth a watch, there’s some very funny stuff in it.
If you’re an artist I’d recommend Alison’s blog and web site. She gives some excellent advice on marketing your art and I’d recommend her new book ‘I’d rather be in the studio’. It’s got lots of good advice on selling your art.
There’s an Art Auction in the Expose Yourself Gallery next Thursday 13th March in aid of the Peter Bradley Foundation. The Foundation looks after people who have acquired brain damage. I think that means if you get a bang on the head which damages your brain the Foundation have ways of looking after you so you live a pleasant and fulfilling life.
It seems like a worthy cause so I donated a large framed River of God (below) print to the auction. I believe there is a very entertaining auctioneer going to do the business on the night. It should be a bit of craic where you can pick up some nice art and help a good cause as well. See you there.
Now that River Sanctuary is finished I’ve put it in the Spiritual Art Gallery on the web site here. There’s some background info about the picture there which you may find interesting.
Mind Body Spirit Festival
I still have a few passes available for the Mind Body Spirit Festival next weekend (Paddy’s Weekend) if you are interested just let me know by putting a note in the comments section of this post. The entrance price is probably €7 to €10 but with these passes you get in free.
News:
I’ll be exhibiting at the 16th Irish Mind Body Spirit International Festival in the RDS in Dublin over Paddy’s weekend, 15th to 17th March, 2008. There are a number of speakers including Paddy McMahon, Chrissie Astell, Dr. Donn Brennan, Emma Tamplin and Wa Na Nee Che. From the blurb I’ve read they will cover the subjects; Exploring Consciousness, Working with Angels, Ayuraveda, Spiritual Life Coach and North American Indian spirituality.
10 tickets to give away.
As an exhibitor I’ve received some tickets which give free admission to the Mind Body Spirit festival. So if you are interested in coming along add a note in the comments section or on the web site or email me. I’ve only 10 to give away so the first 10 to ask will get them.
News
I called in to the Expose Yourself gallery in Dun Laoghiare yesterday, Sunday, and took up their offer of painting a miniature picture. You get a mini canvas for a minimal fee and then use the paints provided to paint whatever you like. I did a picture titled Island Sanctuary as a follow on from River Sanctuary. In fact the island is part of the River Sanctuary picture. It was great to have this facility and another great feature is that you can have it hung in the gallery for sale.
There is no excuse for anyone with any creative tendency not to paint and be able to boast that they had one of their works hanging in one of the most creative galleries in Dublin. The event is over now but watch the Irish Craft Update blog for updates as they may run it again.
Pictured above is Karen Harper speaking at the launch of the Irish Craft Association.
News
The Irish Craft Association had their official opening last Thursday evening at the Expose Yourself gallery in Dun Laoghaire Shopping Centre. There was a big crowd there, I’d say at least 60 or more. I didn’t count them, I was too busy chatting to Paul O’Mahony, Mairead deBlaca, Partick Naughton, Tony Murray and lots of others. We retired to Lime, the pub on the ground floor of the shopping centre for some food and drink. I headed home at about 9.30 but some people didn’t get out of the place till 2.30 am.
No need to win the Lotto
I got a very pleasant phone call during the week from a visitor to the Expose Yourself gallery. She said "I just had to call to say I love your art and if I win the Lotto I'll buy all of them!". I told her she doesn't need to win the Lotto to buy one of my pieces as the A4 size prints are now only €90.
I also pointed out that on my web site she can print her own images at A4 or letter size. All she has to do is submit her name and email to gain access to the pages. Keep in mind that the web images are low quality and nothing as good as the limited edition photographic prints in the gallery but hopefully they'll bring some pleasure to her.
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