helenfarrellart

I spent a few days doing a series of drawings in Sandycove some time ago. A beautiful line is a precious thing to me. A line is a pure form of expression. At one stage , I had to stop drawing , as I felt seasick. These are a few of the drawings . I did some oil paintings from these, but the spontaneity of the drawings were the best fun.

This is a painting I've just finished for a friend of mine.  I worked from a photo he gave me of a very particular memory he had of his childhood. I used acrylic on canvas, and as always it was difficult to know when I was finished. I hope he likes it. Commissions are always a bit nervewrecking ! Acrylic on canvas, 50cms x 40cms, unframed

For a time, I worked and exhibited artwork with Siofra - a group of artists, who regularly exhibited as a collective. "Síofra Artists Group consists of nine artists who formed in 1995 with informal meetings to provide mutual support and to create a forum for discussion on art practice. In 1998 they decided to work together to mount collective exhibitions. The members of Síofra are interested in exploring the tension between the individual’s freedom of expression and the constraints of working for a group show and to agreed themes. They seek to exhibit in a variety of venues, especially those that are as accessible as possible to the public. Their first exhibition was, 'Home Truths' in 1998, held in two derelict maisonettes in Blackrock, Co. Dublin, with the support of Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown Arts Office. Since then they have exhibited in various venues including galleries, two universities, a hairdressing salon and several arts centres." I did these 13

I was idling away on the Internet lately , when lo and behold,  I read  about artwork on a CD cover by Helen Gavigan from Galway !  A twin...this I had to know more about. When I searched for the artist , - what I came up with was a CD cover with artwork done by myself for an American man..Danny O Flaherty,.who had asked me to do an image on The Hill of Tara, for a collection he was thinking of doing.  I came across the original image only lately in a pile of old work, and just about remember e-mailing him a copy of it . I didn't even know it existed, -  I would love to get a copy of it sometime ....so Danny O Flaherty...if you're out there... The History of Ireland in Word and Song.. sung by Danny O Flaherty

For most of the 1990's , I was involved with a group of artists, Siofra ( changeling..in English). We met as mature students in Dun Laoghaire College of Art and Design, as it was known then. We held monthly meetings in each others homes, and over much tea and natter, we kept up to date with arty goings on and organised many art exhibitions. We attempted to bring as much of our art as we could into the everyday community , by arranging shows in as diverse and local venues as we could manage at the time . Some venues included hairdressers, derelict housing ( pre Celtic Tiger), community centres, third level colleges  and  libraries.  It was good craic.   Here is a work in progress of Cairn T, which I had in a show we had in the National College of Ireland in the Irish Financial Services Centre, Dublin.  We titled this show "Bigger is Better", as our brief was to each work to a 6ft x 6 ft dimension.  This was the above piece  in progress .  Making

These are some images from an exhibition I had in the " Bru na Boinne" centre, in Newgrange, Co Meath   in 2003 .   I themed my work , on "Loughcrew",  which has is aligned to sunrise at the Spring and Autumn equinoxes, ( and also where I spent a memorable part of my childhood.).  Apart from it's huge historical importance, some of it's attraction is that it is so unspoilt, almost as if we were stepping back 2,500 - 3,000  years in time. Little humans that we are !!  I have included a lot more information about Loughcrew cairns, at the end of the scroll of artworks. Special thanks to Michael Fox for these images, which he kindly sent on to me after this exhibition..I had not thought to take a single copy of them, as I was so taken up with organising the show. This is a link to his webpage. http://www.knowth.com/art.htm  T

Making papers from recycled papers and organic materials feels very satisfying. Creating something from nothing and then using it as a material for painting on adds a lot to the process. The following are some works on handmade papers. "Nightime coastline" " Garden" Handmade papers with plant fibres Handmade Papers with tealeaves Woodland walk..watercolour