I decided to give ‘digital’ a go at last Thursday’s life drawing session in the Schoolhouse for Art . I was shown an app called ‘Paper’ by my youngest son Scott (who uses it to great effect) and had a few initial hesitant ‘attempts’ however I have to admit I’m really enjoying it. It’s very basic but also very clever and simple to use.
If digital’s good enough for David Hockney – it’s good enough for me…..!
Life Drawing in the Schoolhouse for Art – all day – every Thursday…any medium!
Delighted to be told that my recent painting ‘Subjects of Debate’ was featured in today’s Metro Herald.
The obligatory self-portrait was completed in the early hours this morning to meet the deadline for the ‘Sky Arts portrait artist of the year‘ competition (stage 1).
I actually think I look as exhausted as I felt trying to get it finished….phew glad that’s done!
It’s great that portraiture and portrait artists will get some much-needed media, I hope the ‘Sky Arts portrait artist of the year’ will be a great success.
The intention of this life-size painting is to reflect the contentious nature of the abortion legislation rather than to represent ether side of the debate. However, it does represent the subjects around whom the debate rotates. Initially I left the painting untitled however having given it much thought I believe that the title ‘Subjects of Debate‘ perfectly captures the essence of my concept and the public scrutiny and vulnerability of the protagonists. My aspiration for ‘Subjects of Debate‘ is that it acts as a future reminder of the debate itself, and reflects this period of Ireland’s constitutional evolution.
I’m delighted to let you know that ‘Subjects of Debate‘ is currently on view in Gallery Zozimus Francis Street, Dublin 8 (enquiries; Vincent (003531) 453 9057 info@galleryzozimus.ie)
While recently visiting my Brother Barry in beautiful Zagreb, I painted his portrait as a thank you for a much appreciated break away from a stressful little Ireland. Naturally I also leisurely visited every gallery and exhibition in the city taking regular breaks for fresh coffee, sitting under a glowing heater, watching the snowflakes and the beautiful Croatians drift by – sometimes life can be pretty perfect.
Barry (oil on canvas)
This is a pastel portrait I painted of beautiful little Rebecca, just a few weeks old and my first grandniece – I assume that means I’ve to admit that I’m getting old….!
When Jean (aka ‘my other half’ or ‘hats by Jean‘) moved to her lovely new shop on the other side of Enniskerry village I thought it would be a pity to let her old shop stay empty at this time of year, so I turned it into a little gallery to exhibit some of my work. I decided to call it the ‘Artist seeks White Knights Exhibition’- I’m still hopeful that a white knight(s) with a wad of money will decide to invest a small fortune in ‘Art d’Condron’…!
I’ll be in my gallery/studio from 10am to 6pm every day except Mondays (a little r&r time!) and till late on Wednesday. Hopefully doing a bit of painting there too.
Call in if you’re in the vicinity. I promise – no ‘heavy conversation’ or ‘hard sell’, however a little ‘bullshit’ is probable…!
N.
Sinéad O’Connor raised a staggering €34,000 for the charity ‘Penny Dinners‘ at Whyte’s art auction in the RDS last night (see her post).
Sinead’s put two of her paintings up for auction; a portrait of Sinéad as a child by Thomas Ryan and my ‘upon small shoulders’, they were lots 150 and 151, so it was a nerve-racking wait watching each of the preceding lots go under the hammer. Eventually ‘lot 500’ her portrait, was presented and bidding shot from the hundreds to thousands and was eventually sold for a magnificent €8,500 (I had the absolute pleasure of meeting the buyer after the event). Next up was ‘lot 151’ ‘upon small shoulders’ I could hardly breathe – then the biding took off eventually ending at an incredible €19,500 I was stunned. I’m hopeful to discover who the bidder was – I’d love to know where my painting’s new home will be. Sinead was understandably thrilled with the results and very generous with her praise for my painting.
A huge thanks needs to be given to Sinéad O’Connor for her unceasing selfless generosity, she is a most wonderful woman. She could have left her paintings hanging on her wall instead she decided to auction them to raise money for ‘Penny Dinners’.
Thanks to the new owner of ‘upon small shoulders’ for your benevolence and for liking my painting, I hope it will please the eye for many years. And congratulations to ‘Penny Dinners’ and the people under their care who are the deserving recipients of this wonderful success.
Thank you Sinéad, I’m indebted to you for your appreciation of my work and for giving ‘upon small shoulders’ and me a global audience. I’m very proud to know you.
N.
I painted this emotive image as result of the recent tragic abduction of yet another innocent victim whose cries were unheard. I rendered it using pastel overlaying poem ‘God made little girls’ representing our misguided and fanciful perception that our children are safe from the living monsters that prowl on their innocence – the terrified child represents the tragic reality.
Spare a thought or a prayer for the all the missing children and their distraught families.
(The reference I used was from an anonymous photograph I found on the internet)I was invited by the Barrow Valley Artists in County Carlow to host a pastel workshop on Sunday (23rd Sept). I had a fantastic day working with a lovely group of very enthusiastic artists. I started with a chat about my pastel work, discussed the use of various materials and then followed with a short demonstration on how I approach pastel portraits. For the rest of the day the room was a rainbow of pastel dust as the Barrow Valley Artists painted ‘pastel mode’ with gusto.
I’m looking forward to going to their annual exhibition (not just pastels) on the 11th of October.
Neil Condron 