Meow

So I did a little lino-cut, you can probably tell I have never done one before...it did not go well.
I did a few on some old paper that needed using, the goal was to use them for a little fundraiser but I am not so sure now. I ended up doing two as the first did not come out well and wasn't printing successfully; A frustrating morning. I posted a few variations of the second linocut, You can see on the last how the lino is breaking down causing the line to be blurred, the very bottom image is of the first linocut I did and the only one to be somewhat successful. I assume you can read the text below the image? Well, just in case it says, 'Meow MutaFucka,' maybe I should title this piece Profanity-Cat?....(Slight eye roll)
Sure one or two are ok, and they are fun little buggers. I was trying to loosen up my drawing/line as I am so frigid, working along the lines of my Ugly hound doodles and probably partially inspired by Roger Ballen and his collaborations with South African duo Die Antwoord. They recently released a short film, 'Tommy Can't Sleep,' and also collaborated with Ballen on one of their music videos, 'I Fink You Freaky,' absolutely mad but fabulous, I had the pleasure of seeing an exhibition of Roger Ballen's work in Cobh few years ago. He isn't just a photographer he is an artist, he takes you into another world, a world of outcasts, the part of your mind that is shunned by the mainstream.
His eerie little drawings dwell in the background of his photographs, wonderfully simple, the drawings of an angry inner child.

New work/Kicking the bucket again exhibition

So over the past few month I have been attending meetings every two weeks as part of the Kicking the Bucket program sponsored by Milford Hospice.
Although the meetings are surrounded by the topic of death, dying and all the shite that goes with that, the whole experience was most enjoyable. I loved meeting up with a lovely group of people, having discussions and doing arty party activities.
The result of our group meetings was an exhibition based on the topics discussed. The group Kicking the Bucket and the exhibition was organised and founded by Katie Verling and Sinead Dinneen, two lovely ladies who have had been through the loop themselves.
The exhibition was held in Limerick City Gallery of Art, a great opportunity and honour as an artist. Artists and non-artists putting their heart and soul into a small body of work to be exhibited for ten days at LCGA for the public to view.
The whole process has been very satisfactory, below are photos of the new work I created for the exhibition, plus photos from the opening night.

Artists Statement

Reliquaries for the Soul, (small sculptures/vessels)

Vessel 1, Clay, wire, broken mirror, paint

Vessel 2, Clay, broken mirror, sinew, thread, gold paint

Vessel 3, Clay, thread, gold leaf, and gold paint

Vessel 4, gold leaf, egg shell, clay, burnt wood

Print Installation

Gold Mono-prints with embossed text

The whole installation with embossed text alternating from 'Soul' to 'Heaven' with an original black-out poem of mine embossed on the centre page.

'Sometimes my Soul Feels Heavenly Bound' Original black-out poem

Some print variables for sale as well. Contact me for more info.

I also had some older work on display, Changeling and two photos with text

Installation shots of my work in Limerick City Gallery

My grandparents came to the opening

Some photos of the work by various participants of the group, some with an art background, some without

Artist Clea Van der Grin opening the exhibition, her work was also showing alongside ours in the main gallery.

Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell speaking at the opening about the exhibition and the release of there book, infinite Lives.

This lady sung at the opening with a newly invented instrument called 'The Merlin'