Francis Bacon (28 October 1909 - 28 April 1992) was an Irish-born British figurative painter. His artwork is known for its bold, austere, homoerotic and often violent or nightmarish imagery, which typically shows room-bound masculine figures isolated in glass or steel geometrical cages set against flat, nondescript backgrounds. Bacon had begun painting by his early 20s, yet he worked only sporadically and without commitment during the late 1920s and early 1930s, when he worked as an interior decorator and designer of furniture and rugs. He later admitted that his career was delayed because he had spent so long looking for a subject that would sustain his interest. His breakthrough came with the 1944 triptych Three Studies for Figures at the Base of a Crucifixion, and it was this work and his heads and figures of the late 1940s through to the early 1960s that sealed his reputation as a notably bleak, world famous, chronicler of the human condition.
Francis Bacon’s work is most interesting. (I used to under rate him!!) I have studied Jenny Saville -an English figurative painter which I’ve done a post about her work. I compare the works/styles of both artists in similar context. Jenny was in fact very influenced by Bacon’s work, especially his latter ‘faces’ works. Which shows alot of head studies and portraitures.. (alot of himself) . Whats unique about Bacon’s work is the haunting images of his emotive work. You must look deep into his canvas to explore what he ‘has to say’. The works are semi-abstract, at the same token you are taken into an abyss of colour and expressions of the face..(in the portraiture’s) like NO other figurative painter. I for sure believe that. I’m very proud to know Francis Bacon was/is an Irish man. His work is know worldwide. As a painter his work sells for phenomenal prices in major auctions,such as Sotheby’s, Christie’s etc. Enjoy this short video of an extremely talented painter.
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to Nick Fegan Art by Email. This will give you updates by email of my latest paintings. Thanks for visiting!
This painting was done not long ago. It’s a calm setting with calm water in a light ochre sky/sea. The background trees are all mostly dark and silhouetted against the clear sky with the odd ‘fluffy’ cloud. The gulls are hovering over the water looking for anything on the surface before the last light has gone. This was captured with a quick sketch first. A photo helped me catch the essence of the scene. The final (oil) painting was completed in the studio. These colours…(ochre’s,burnt umber’s, sienna’s) are rare for me to use in a whole painting without using bright blues, yellows, and cadmium orange’s. I usually use ‘brighter’ colours throughout. If you look at my previous work you will see what i mean in comparison.
Apparently the Christmas Art Fair at the Nora Dunne Gallery: from 10th to 13th December ‘09 was a success to no end. With over sixty artists displaying their work. This is the first anniversary of the gallery. It’s sold over 2,450 pieces todate!
I was so sorry i’d missed the exhibition. However, i did get a glimpse at the utube video (it’s in between text) made by a unique artist: Ed Parkinson - well made with lovely music in the back round. Karen Harper -the Curator of this really sweet gallery has a real passion for the arts, and by all accounts it shows through, from planning to the artists needs, she shows no panic. i’m so glad now i got a look and ‘feel’ for what i missed. Music on the opening night was by: Aine N Dhubhghaill a Harpist. Her music sounds so beautiful. There was a ‘Cafe 2 Go’ with Belgian Chocolates and cakes available also.
Artists displaying their work at the Christmas show (10th/13th Dec ‘09) included; Neil Condron, Fidelma Flanagan, Catherine Bokin Cooke, Mark O Keefe, Anne Louise McDermott, Derek Lyons, Kevin Sharkey, Anthony Doyle, Morgan Gibbs, John Morris, and many, many more. These and many more are highly talanted and commited artists to their respective work they have chosen.It’s well worth checking out their work to see their individual styles.
To wish all my viewers and regular browsers a very Happy and Peaceful Christmas.
I hope to have some excellent photos of my latest work in the new year as i got a terrific camera: Canon EOS 500. A wonderful camera. The images are superb! It makes a major difference to the viewers looking and appreciating art and helps me to indicate what i may say on a particular painting etc. The clarity is really amazing as apposed to my previous Canon compact, which wasn’t too bad, but………
I hope you enjoy some of the winter landscapes here by a wonderful Impressionist artist: Claude Monet. Lovely audio also with this well made short video. Look forward to posting much more in the new year folks.
Boats and yachts have been an on going fascination of mine. You can see from this oil painting there’s a calmness in the water with the fine ripples in the water in the fore ground. The sky plays a part here also - as this reflects in the water. This is called ‘harmony’: a blending of colours if you like. One thing i did get wrong: the blue yacht on the fore ground right - it’s bobbing too strongly for such calmness! These ‘fine details’ can be seen by the professional painter or critical observer. Why am i telling you this? Because showing an amateur it’ll teach you to look hard at each stage of your work in progress. Drawing skill, observation, and simplicity is the main key to producing a master piece - the rest will follow with practice and patients.
This painting was done from a watercolour about two months ago when i passed through the park. I love trees and shrubs, as i’m a gardener. This was an ideal time. The trees at their most brilliant in colour with the sunlight cascading from the right onto the grass and figures gave the whole painting life. The transparency of the yellow is a ‘cadmium yellow’ - been very expensive, but worth every penny - i think it gives a super rich brightness of quality the sunlit areas. It’s a great place to produce a painting. Photographers and birdwatchers alike seem to flock..(excuse the pun) to this lovely park no matter what season.
This is a painting which is most certainly NOT one of my favourite’s in the world. Mind you, it most interesting: A lady i know well told me when she saw it - she was ‘mad about it’. Strange, when i was certainly gonna scrap it, and maybe even have put it in the wheelie bin! Peoples opinions are an indication to me where I’m going and what i should be aiming for. Like everything in life: there’s no such thing as perfection - it’s in the eye of the beholder. This painting is: Oil on canvas ” (20X16) Painted last year.
View of 'The Wicklow Way' - from Avoca, Co. Wicklow.
I’v been painting on and off for many years.I love this place called Avoca, Co. Wicklow. Its very much a wonderful County - especially in the summer when all the fields are in full sun. The changing colours of the fields. Nature running riot. Viewing a badger running for cover through briar’s is a ’sight for sore eyes’: what a lovely animal. This is the advantages of painting outdoors. The back round is the backside of the Sugar loaf (mountain). This County is beautiful
'Murky friday morning, the icebox'
I know this is a ‘normal inclusion’ of this scene, but, i love this place. To be honest, i really feel it’s my back yard! I love the smell of the fish, the chatter from the fishermen..(who are saints i think) and the call of the gulls hovering above the trawlers. If you look hard: you’ll see no people - it was raining and everyone literary scattered for their cars. Luckily i was safe behind the wheel of mine. This was painted in about…30/40 minutes.
This is a ‘Gallery’ NOT to be missed. What a tremendous way to come up with an idea! Actually, who would ever have thought - hey, why not use these railings as cash! Oh, artists paintings maybe…? Might work…about 20 years later, hey presto! Seriously, it’s a magical place to be on a sunny afternoon. Competition among artists …no, not really. The artists actually seem to know each other by their names! Some anyway. The event itself is on three times a year: June, August and next September 18, 19, 20 (2009) This weekend’s dates: 21,22, 23 (apologies late post)
Just walk on by and absorb the view, oh, and the paintings too!
Check out the People’s Photography on the green also: On 26, 27 August. well worth the time I’m informed. Photography is something I’ve been personally interested in for many years, but never managed to have a ‘calling’ if you like. There are some seriously talented photographers here: check out the link above and see for your self.
This is a really good way of seeing Dublin City Centre. The Artists are wonderful and very helpful if you need any information about the paintings etc. Iv been to it many times, but, as regard exhibiting there..no way, just not my thing standing there all day. One thing is sure: you may come home a much richer person: financially and publicly! Quite a few artists are well known and paint professionally for a living - ie, Willie Redmond, Louise Mansfield.
(Appreciation goes to the kind people at: The Dublin Community Blog for the use of the photos)
The Nora Dunne Gallery has been an out right success to date, no doubt about it. Right for the start, the gallery has had an array of artists from all back rounds, from, amateurs to professional artists alike. Gallery Curator: Karen Harper , has a lot of experience in the field of art - been a very creative and talented Jewellery Designer/Maker herself, she has really made her mark in the gallery on the Kimmage Road. The owner: Ben Dunne is a national icon. With Ben heading a team of professional staff, he knows what he wants and seems to be a natural leader in the field of business; now with a fine art gallery under his collar, his gallery may be the next Sotheby’s of Kimmage! I always said it: It’s a truly fine gallery with great space, design and natural light…(lacking in MANY galleries).
1715 paintings have been sold since Nov 14th 2008 till 30th July 2009. Next auction - Sunday 6th September 2009. Viewing held for this auction: Thurs 27th Aug - 12 - 5pm.
