Saturday 26 May 2012

Moving out of Mountrath Studio

So yesterday was my last day in the Mountrath Studio and Flat and now I'm counting down the last few days before I fly out to Iceland. I had a great year in the studio. I had my first run at curating a group exhibition, held my first and second solo exhibitions in Leixlip and Dublin respectively, got published in an arts magazine for the first time, met and worked with some really great artists, collaborated on an installation for the Electric Picnic and gained a lot of experience in teaching workshops.

I also had a great deal of support from the Laois Arts Office and Laois County Council who I'm massively grateful to for awarding me the studio and giving me the opportunity to continue my work.

As well as the professional side of things it was really nice to be back in Laois and working so close to home, where I was living was only 10 minutes drive from my parents house.

Just over a week ago I contacted Laois Arts Office to let them know when I would be moving out. Muireann Ni Chonaill (Laois Arts Officer) offered me an extended lease on the studio and flat, which I accepted. So when I get back to Laois from Iceland I will be taking up residence in Mountrath for a further year. I'm delighted to have the studio again because I was worrying about what way I would be fixed for somewhere to work when I get back from Skagastrond. This will allow me to continue painting when I get back.

Friday 25 May 2012

New Solo Show 'Corrosion'

My second solo exhibition, titled Corrosion, opened yesterday a 6pm at MadArt Gallery & Studios, Dublin. The show consisted of 9 oil paintings from the current body of work that I have been working on throughout the year. The opening went quiet well. There was a good attendance and I received great feedback on my work. I haven't any images to post at the minute but there were photos taken by somebody who works at the gallery so when I get them they'll be up.

The show runs until the 14th of June.

Here's a link to the gallery website.
http://www.madartstudio.com/index.php/corrosion-by-pat-byrne-2/

Friday 11 May 2012

Artist in School Scheme 2012

I applied for the Artist in School Scheme a few months back and my application was successful. On Monday the 23rd of April I started work at Clonenagh NS, Mountrath. It was mostly painting exercises early in the week which lead towards more completed pieces.

The Schedule:

Monday: Color Wheel & Complementary Colors

Tuesday: Warm and Cool Color & Shading Execises

Wednesday: Negative Space & Free Sculpture

Thursday: Still Life Drawing/Painting and Free Drawing/Painting

Friday: Portraiture & Conclusion of Sculpture

This work was done with Junior Infants - 4th class over 20 hours. I was asked by the Principle of the School would I work with 5th and 6th class too within the 20 hours so I  went back the following week for 8 hours extra (the school was closed on the Friday) to give them as much time, almost, as the younger classes. Because they only had a 4 day week I tried to get more work done each day to make up for having the Friday off.  

Monday: Color Wheel & Complementary Colors

Tuesday: Warm and Cool Color & Shading Execises

Wednesday: Negative Space & Free Sculpture

Thursday:  Portraiture & Conclusion of Sculpture

I think it went very well there was one day when 5th and 6th class didn't want to go out for lunch, they wanted to keep working.




























Since the workshops finished I've been asked by the school to paint a mural on the wall outside it.

Tuesday 1 May 2012

Laois Arts Act Grant

Mid April I recieved confirmation that my application for the Laois Acts Grant was successful and I have recieved some much needed funding thanks to Laois County Council.