Friday, December 19, 2008

The Christmas Break


Well last night was the last night of classes due to the christmas break, I'm going to miss the class as I had missed the last two weeks due to illness. It was a very small class last night though and the still life which we painted was the very christmassy Poinsettia plant.
It is unreal that of the seven or eight of us that painted the same potted plant last night - no two turned out the same. Each of us have developed our own style, some of us paint very loosely and some are very tight and almost look like a photo. This is my painting, I must say that I like it and was happy with the way it turned out.
I should get a photo of Shirley's picture to post here and give an example of how our styles differ.


Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Craft Fairs in Kildare

Well I have to say that people are still spening money despite of the downturn in the economy. Having taken part in a number of craft fairs over the last few weeks I have seen that people are still buying handmade, local crafts that just can't be got in the shops. The craft fair which was held in the Westgrove Hotel in Clane on last Sunday 30th November was very well run and a great day out.
This event was organised by one of the craftspeople and there will be a chance to see it all again on Sunday 14th December from 11am to 5.30pm at the Setanta Hotel in Celbridge, Co. Kildare.



I shall be taking part with my range of handmade clocks, functional and fun art. I can of course make one of a kind items and pieces on commission. For further details contact me at 0878259410 prices range from €34 to €64 so theres something for every budget.



Friday, October 31, 2008

Mid term break

Well this week is mid term break and although we only started attending classes at the NCAD a few weeks ago, I feel that I've got into a routine each week. Gathering up all the bits and pieces that are required - and the list is growing, has become a ritual each week. But this being mid term the college was closed this week and I really missed getting out of the house for the few hours.

I have however gotten back into the habit of painting and have just this week finished two very large oil paintings that I started last year - got so far and just couldn't get back into it to get them finished. At last they are done - won't my brother be glad. I was tempted to post the pics here, but decided against it - I should really let him as least see them first.

Friday, October 17, 2008

NCAD

Well so far we've had three classes at the national college of art & design, it really is completely different than going along to the local night class.

It's great that we are shown the techniques and how to achieve different effects, rather than jumping straight in and then be shown where we're going wrong so to speak. This way we do it right the first time. It's really up to us how much we get out of it and of course how much we put into it.

I'm looking forward to the remaining classes, its such a good experience.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Exhibition of new works 19th October

Niamh will be exhibiting her new range of clocks, as well as some older stock at the Kildare & Meath Women Creating Successful Businesses, Conference and Exhibition being held at the Marriott Johnstown House Hotel, Enfield, Co. Meath from 1pm - 6pm on Sunday 19th October.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Off to college.

Well, last Thursday was the first night of the new term of "Techniques in Watercolours", the course that two of us signed up to.

The evening courses come under the heading of continuing education. It was really great to be back painting again. It must be about four years since I painted in watercolours.

It is so different from painting in oils or even acrylic where you paint dark to light, with watercolours you have to consider your light/whites first and then your darks.

We had a go at painting washes, mixing colours and painting - autumn leaves in rich yellows and reds - and fading greens.

I must remember to do the homework!

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

The Peoples Art Exhibition

The Peoples Art Exhibition normally held in St. Andrews Parish Centre in Lucan and which was planned for October 2008, will not be going ahead.

We are disappointed that this exhibition has been cancelled, it was a really great weekend.

We are now in a position that we have some works already in process and nowhere to exhibit...... so watch this space.

As soon as we have another venue organized we'll make an announcement.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Our Daisies

A few years ago we had an exhibition in the library in Leixlip, Co. Kildare.

The exhibition space there is fantastic, the lighting is amazing and the way in which the pictures are hung is great.

We exhibited some new pieces along with some older paintings which were as Marie would put it "kicked around under the bed", when we arrived to lay out and position the paintings we noted that as some stage we had all painted Daisies.

They are all of the same subject and yet they are different and are distinctive in their own way.


So here are our "Daisies".









Niamh' Daisies


Marie's Daisies


Shirley's Daisies

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

BrushworX Art Group

This art group comprises of three women artists, who have been both painting and exhibiting together since 2003. They work in all mediums, but each has their favourite.
The style also varies, depending on the influences in each of their lives at any particular time. From favourite landscapes and places they have visited, through to the vibrant colours in nature, capturing a moment in time, during a stroll on a beach or even an everyday event like children playing.
The artists are : Niamh Pedreschi, Marie Morrow and Shirley Hackett.







This is Shirley's "Dublin City by night"



This is Marie's "Rope"


This is Niamh's "Irish Country Cottage"

This is just a sample of our work.

Monday, September 1, 2008

Introduction to our blog.

This is our blog.... the our being BrushworX Art Group. We are three artists based in North Kildare.

We have being painting and exhibiting together since 2003. Exhibitions have been held in South County Dublin library at Superquinn Shopping Centre in Lucan. Other places that we have exhibited are The Gallery, The Mill, Celbridge and Kildare County Council library at Captains Hill, Leixlip.

We also take part in the exhibition which is held in Spring and Winter (Christmas) as part of the larger group known as The People's Art, these exhibitions are held in the Church of Ireland Parish Centre at St. Andrews Lucan. This group consists of up to ninety artists from the greater Dublin, Kildare and Meath areas.

BrushworX was founded by Niamh Pedreschi, the two other members are Marie Morrow and Shirley Hackett.

Niamh has set up this blog and will post about once a fortnight, or sooner if there is something of utmost importance!