Our next exhibition.

We are delighted to announce that we will be holding an exhibition at the South Dublin County Library at Lucan from the 31st August 2009 and running until September 28th.

In the meantime we are preparing to submit our completed pieces for the end of year exhibition at the National College of Art & Design, dates and details to follow.

Painting Outdoors at Trinity College Dublin

The tutor from our watercolour class organised to meet some of us at Trinity College Dublin on Saturday last to have a small demo and then pratice painting out of doors before visiting the National Gallery to view the Turner Exhibit.

To say it was cold on Saturday morning is an understatement, the sky above was grey and colourless and there was a breeze that would cut you in two. Anyway Shirley and myself found a nice quite place indoors - where we could see the lovely vista which we had decided to paint (pictures will follow shortly). It was my first time inside of the gates of Trinity I'm ashamed to say and its a place that I'd like to visit, maybe the next time in more detail as I've seen pictures of the impressive library and would like to explore this along with the other historic buildings.

Anyway the room that we entered was located beside the Restaurant - it was signposted as the way to the student buffet. The large room/entrance hall which we entered via two large doors contained two marble fireplaces and wonderful chandlers hung from the amazingly high ceilings. The tall windows were situated high off the ground - I had to stand on my toes just to see out.

We made our sketches and then did a rough painting which we finished off with ink to emphasise some of the more notable aspects of the location. I must say that I didn't like painting outdoors, I like to have myself organised with everything laid out and close to hand, maybe I'd have a different opinion if it was dry, sunny and there was no breeze - we'll wait and see I might just try it again, just once!

Here are some of the pictures............








We left Trinity just as it started to rain and spent two hours in the National Gallery on Merrion Square, we had a very welcome lunch of delicious warm soup in the restaurant and then it was upstairs for what was the last day of the Turner Exhibit. This only takes place during January of each year - I had attended a number of years ago but the exhibit displayed a variety of different pictures. For further information check out www.nationalgallery.ie

Shirley's Poinsettia

This is Shirley's version of the Poinsettia, we were sitting next to each other but we still had different perspectives of the same plant.

You can also see that we both have very different styles.

We went back to college following the christmas break and are planning our first outdoor trip to paint in Dublin on Saturday next along with visiting the National Gallery to view the Turner Exhibit.

The weeks are really going very fast and we are preparing our offerings to submit to the annual students exhibition at the end of the college year............... more pressure!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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.