Art Art Everywhere

As I mentioned in this post I've been sorting out all the art I've had in boxes, envelopes, and 'safe places'. It's really nice to see the pieces on display and it really wasn't that hard to sort out. Note to self;stop putting things on the long finger, it's worth it when they eventually get done.

Firstly you might remember that I won this piece for my Halloween costume last year. I've loved Tommy Comerfords work for ages but I really wasn't sure what frame I should put it in. I wanted to keep the torn edge on the print so I placed it on some dark textured paper and contrasted it with this striking gold frame that I had in the studio. I'm really delighted with how it turned out and it taking pride of place over my mantelpiece.

My friend Mary O Dea gave me this wonderful Limerick silkscreen as a Christmas present. It's one of her own pieces that she sells at the Milk Market, and she also sells really funky silk screened t-shirts. At the moment I've hung it in my studio but at a later date I'd like to get a frame for it.

The piece on the left has a fantastic story, it's by Canadian artist Amelie Gagne, who is currently living and working in Ireland. I stumbled across her art on twitter and totally fell in love with her work; head over heels. Months ago I posted a link to her website on my facebook page, thinking nothing of it. Roll on half a year and my sister gets me for Kris Kindle and is looking for something to for buy me. Amazingly she remembers this artists and contacts Amelie looking for something in her budget. I couldn't believe my eyes when I opened my present, it was so amazing that she remembered the post, it's one of the best presents I've gotten in years, and all this effort from a woman who just became a mother 6 months ago!

You might remember from this post me talking about the piece on the right, it's from Lynn Kenny, a fantastic local artist.

A brand new gallery just opened up at the Milk Market, in one of the permanent shops, it's called Elalgallery. It features the photography of Neil Armstrong Jude, his work is strong and edgy, exactly the kind of photos I love. I can't believe a place like this has opened up in Limerick and right at my doorstep. Over Christmas I got lots of gifts in there, 3 pieces based on Dublin for my father, a beautiful sepia pier view for my friend John, and these 3 black and white scenes for myself. On the work alone I love Neils photography, but add on top of that the crazy reasonable prices and he's onto a definite winner. You can buy these small pieces at €4 each or 3 for €10, and the framed works start at €15, how crazy recession busting is that? He has tonnes of images to choose from, I know I'll definitely be back for more; I love buying presents for myself.

There is a funny story behind this. My friend Tara Whelan made this for me after a drunken conversation that I have no clue how she remembered. I was very impressed that she does cross stitch, and she explained her love for creating obscene phrases. Then very kindly she offered to make one for me to put in my studio, after much drunken pondering I came up with this strange phrase. It was conceived in a moment of anger at the horrendous cramps that I get every month, I love the violence of the caption done in such a homely craft. Apparently Tara was stitching this on a train, much the the curiosity of her fellow passengers!

I Bought Some Lovely Art

I saw the work of Lynn Kenny when I was at the artisan craft fair on Thursday, I couldn't help myself I had to buy a piece. I've been insanely in love with her work for years but I never had enough money to buy any of her work, even though they are really reasonably priced at 150 for a medium sized piece. At the craft fair she has mini framed artworks at only 45 euro, as soon as I picked it up I had that sensation that I couldn't put it down again-I had to have it!

Even though you can see the lovely drawing style in her pieces on the website, you really have to see them in person to appreciate the layers of texture and detail. There are layers of material and embroidery that just can't be captured in a photo. The above picture is similar to the piece that I got...can you tell I'm feeling too lazy to whip out my camera?? Maybe later in the week I'll post an update with a picture of my delightful new piece of art. I have this feeling that this may be the start of a Lynn Kenny addiction.

I had the pleasure of meeting her at my stall recently, I was chatting to some customers about crafts and selling on line. Until one of them mentioned that she was an artist, when I asked for her business card I had a mini fan boy fit. I had loved her work for so long I was mortified and delighted to meet her. By the way she's really lovely in person, it's nice to meet your heroes, especially when they turn out to be down to earth people.