"Readers, River, Dreaming"

                                                          "Readers, River, Dreaming" 
                                                     Oil/ Egg Tempera on Canvas 
                                                                     90 x60 cm

Inspired by light, woods, dreams, childhood days in the summer and set in the idylic surrounds of the Killarney lakes, this painting is now available at;

                                                       The Lyndsay Gallery,
                                                       7a Monkstown Crescent,
                                                       Co Dublin.
                                                       http://thelyndsaygallery.com/                         

Artists Interview with iArt

Twitter is a great way to promote your work and last week I had the honor of being asked to do an interview!
It reveals just a little bit more about me and my work. So please drop in and take a look;
http://www.pet-portraitartist.co.uk/2011/06/iart-interview-with-artist-jackie-edwards/

Many thanks to Melanie Phillips for giving me this opportunity to gain more online exposure,
its a great site with some amazing artists so I am very proud to be amongst them.

Melanie can also be found on Twitter @iArt-info
Good on you Melanie!

Present and Future.

It is six months into the year and its all systems go.
My mind is an abundance of paintings! I am painting really for two shows.
I have nearly all the research,  references, sketches, planning and most of all people who have modelled, all wrapped up for my Tattooed Project. So now I am, and have been working on the paintings.
I admit I was worried as I  found that there is a fine line in how NOT to portray tattooed people and how I want the paintings to look!
These paintings are not "pop art" or "goth" or any of those tags just because they include people with tattoos,, but my own self and work is starting to shine through already, and of course, the sitters speak for themselves.
I want "dynamic" but also I have figures in beautiful settings and some to look like old masters, but with a modern twist.
I think its working as my paintings are unfolding and the idea"s I have are completely my own.

The R.D.S  is calling, and this year my stand will be number K1. Right at the front which I am grateful for.
This will be my third year showcasing my work at this prestigious event and the run-up is always exiting!
With paintings and some work in charcoal already well underway.
The Art fair to me is a must - I get a break- and talk to lots of people about my work and hopefully stand proud in front of it.
Deadlines!
 The  R.D.S , Dublin will be held this November and I will be showcasing all the paintings on line during the show with details nearer the event.

In the MEANTIME, I am involved with "The Blueprint Presents" a must for this years
Eigse 2011 Carlow Arts Festival. Now in its forth year and 18 artists exhibiting.
So please drop in to view the fabulous paintings and sculpture on show.
I would love to meet you and I will be there this Sunday 19th of June- the last day!

                            

The Northern Ireland Tattoo Convention.

         Yet another Irish bank holiday has passed! Saturday was a beautiful sunny day-at last.
 What did I do?
Well, I had had a great and very interesting trip to Belfast where the Northern Ireland
Tattoo Convention was being held in the Ulster Hall.
A must for my tattooed project, which is now into its sixth month. A last search for my smaller, "heads" series of paintings that will be in my show. Real characters, older people who have a life time of carrying their art on their skin.
The idea was to go along, with a photographer and set up in a corner somewhere and see what happens and who turns up that might be interested in allowing me to paint them.
        Things, however never always go to plan and my" photo guy" couldn't make the trip!
I tried every thing I could to get some one else, but this was on the Thursday before the June bank holiday weekend and no one was to be found. O.k, I thought, its either not go, which would be pretty upsetting as I just could not miss this opportunity,
or, do it myself!
         So then I had the idea to hire a good camera and tripod to set up- no joy.
So, very nervous about going alone with just my small digital camera, I  set off from Wexford at five a.m Saturday morning.
Robert, one of the organizers of the Convention was very kind in allowing me to set myself up for my projects sake and said be there early!

        I have to say, even, when I was past Dublin, and well on track to Belfast, I had questioned myself as to WHAT WAS I DOING?
     Going in, on my own, with no photographer and stand there, asking people would they pose for me and my small digital!
     Several times, I nearly turned back, but as I neared, there WAS no turning back. Its a straight road to Belfast.

       When I arrived, the organizers couldn't of been more helpful. Even the security men came outside and drove in front of me to the car parked to help me park, great.
And what a day I had. O.k, no set up that looked professional- just me and the camera, explaining to people I met that looked good, about my project. Would they allow me to paint them?
         My first "victim" was Derek. Derek attracted me immediately! Exactly what I was/am looking for. An older gent with his head and face covered in tattoos. So nice and very obliging, the light in the morning was also good in there, shinning down from the huge windows in the Ulster hall and catching his face from one side, which is the lighting I prefer, rather than a light that casts no shadows. As derek had a tee-shirt that covered him right up to his neck, he very kindly took off his shirt outside so I could take shots of him posing, to show his other body tattoos, beside a chopper motorbike- brilliant-and plenty others were out there to take shots of him as well!
       So, derek was the first of many similar and I cant tell you how happy I am now. I have given my card and details to everybody I would like to be included in my show, taken photographs and notes and away I went. I got every thing I"d hoped for and more.
What a day.

Sometimes the scariest looking people turn out to be the nicest.