Impressions of Life

Jenny Saville: With the transvestite I was searching for a body that was between genders. I had explored that idea a little in Matrix. The idea of floating gender that is not fixed. The transvestite I worked with has a natural penis and false silicone breasts. Thirty or forty years ago this body couldn’t have existed and I was looking for a kind of contemporary architecture of the body. I wanted to paint a visual passage through gender — a sort of gender landscape. To scale from the penis, across a stomach to the breasts, and finally the head. I tried to make the lips and eyes be very seductive and use directional mark-making to move your eye around the flesh.

Simon Schama: So you really do manipulate what’s in front of you through the mark-making. It’s very striking — I’m looking at a photograph of your transvestite painting Passage and that passage that moves from the penis and balls to the belly is really about the anatomy of paint as it constructs the body.

I Love this Artist: Jenny Saville. Born in Cambridge England 1970. She studied at the Glasgow School of Art from 1988 to 1992. Where she won the Craig award and Newberry medal. She won a scholarship to attend Cincinnati University for six months, where her fascination with the human form started to influence her work and Saville became interested in ‘the malls’. Where you saw lots of big women, big white flesh in shorts and tee-shirts. Depicting bodies that live outside the standard boundaries of attractiveness. Jenny moved to New York in 1994, where she was able to sit and observe the work of plastic surgeon Dr. Barry Martin Weintraub, she was allowed to take photos of the cosmetic surgery and liposuctions Dr. Weintraub performed in the theatre and gained a much better understanding of the human body. She is based in Sicily,Italy where she lives and works.

Jenny has established herself at a relatively young age. She is only 39, and her awards are ‘as long as her arm’. What I’m fascinated about this artist is not only is she true to her work, but, her representation of the human form with ‘warts ‘an all’. She has a genuine feel for the emotions on the faces and bodies she depicts, and also she paints with sombre colours in her limited palette. Black is featured in a lot of the works…(probably very dark blues and earth tones though). Jenny’s work  is represented on the new album (cover) of  the  Manic Street Preachers : Journey for plague lovers. Anyone interested in painting/drawing the human body will appreciate this talented woman.

The new Nora Dunne Gallery situated at: 52-54 Kimmage Rd West, Dublin 12. has just accepted new and exciting works from Artists of all ranges in style and colour. This new and prosperous gallery is bustling at the seams with fresh work regularly. This morning was no exception - i was there and was there were NONE of the previous works i last visited as they were ‘eaten’ up at the Auction  at the unforgettable last April Auction - it WAS a success, as everything went! WOW i say. Well done ye lot - can i have the formula please..!!

‘Camden Street’ John Morris.

‘Solace’ Markey Robinson

'Country Road, Kilternan'

This is yet another sketch i did a few weeks ago while not busy, which is rare! Maybe i am lazy though and should sketch more. I think this might make a good finished painting - maybe in oils. It deserves strong colours, and , i think oil is the medium for it. What drew me to this was the serenity of the scene and the colours of the trees. The road gives a feeling of  emptiness in the desolate landscape. A well know Irish Artist: Trevor Geoghagen is a master at this type of perspective. He loves country roads, barns, and all things relating to his beloved Co Wicklow.

'Trawlers in dock ready to unload'

This painting was done on the spot. It was painted very quickly, as i had to hurry to avoid the rain coming down. Watercolour and rain don’t go hand in hand! I was happy with the out come - even though it was done quickly, i feel you can work more diligently and effectively, as your senses are more heightened when your under pressure. I must admit - i love the transparent colours of the trawlers. Marine life never seizes to amaze me. This will probably be the start of a painting to be. I can relate to these scenes as there’s an empathy when i put brush to canvas.

Belfast-born artist Paul Henry (1876-1958) lived and worked on Achill Island for a decade, from 1910-1919, and continued to produce Achill landscapes in later life. His works, particularly the landscapes of Achill Island and Connemara, came to typify a vision of Ireland that was prevalent in the early years of the new Irish Free State.

Paul Henry was one of four boys born to a Belfast Protestant preacher, the Rev Robert Mitchell Henry. Paul came from a long line of Protestant preachers, and his maternal grandfather - Rev Thomas Berry - actually preached the Gospel on Achill Island in the mid-1830s. It is likely that Rev Berry was part of the Protestant Mission established on Achill Island in the 1930’s by the Rev Edward Nagle. Despite the family’s religious beliefs

The Road to the Mountains
by Paul Henry

Paris at the turn of the 20th century was the centre of the artistic avant-garde, home to artists such as Degas and Toulouse-Lautrec as well as some notable Irish writers, including W.B. Yeats and the unpuplished J.M. Synge in the late 1890s, Oscar Wilde and, between 1902 and 1903, James Joyce. Paul Henry, who had studied as an artist in Belfast, enrolled in a studio run by the painter James McNeill Whistler. According to S.B. Kennedy’s excellent book on Paul Henry (’Paul Henry’), the young artist was impressed by Millet and his focus on ordinary people in the countryside going about their everyday lives. Later Paul Henry turned to the avant-garde artists such as Cezanne, Van Gogh and Gauguin for their vitality, colour and energy. As Kennedy describes it:

“…In the silence and solitude of Arles and the Midi, Cezanne and Van Gogh were feverishly painting … They were painting with an inner vision. They took visible nature, and by an alchemy distilled by themselves, turned it into something entirely different. An inspired alchemy, an inspired transmutation. Cezanne and Van Gogh saw clearly because they had cast aside all the theories and prejudices of the Schools and were looking at nature as if for the first time, and above all seeing it with emotion.” I’v always had a liking to Paul Henry and his work. It’s not the liviest of work, but he was very commited to the landscape and it’s folk, especially in Connemara. If you like this artist i reccommend the book written by: S.B. Kennedy. I actually have it. It really has lovely photos and great writing about his childhood right through to the end of his life.

This is a great example of watercolour at its ‘purest’. The artist - Chiu Man Kum, a Hongkong based water colourist is in deep concentration here. When you study him, you can see he is really working quickly, but more to the point - accurately. Watercolour IS a very skilled medium, lets not ‘beat round the bush’  here. For it to be transparent, fresh and  clear, you need patients and lots of hours behind the brush. When fine tuned - the results are outstanding. I love the Chinese artists. I have never mentioned them in my blogs, but, i really have admired them along time ago. Their dedication and purity are honed to almost perfection. When i say purity - i mean, they DON’T use masking fluid, agents, an array of different ‘in fashion brushes’ and the latest easels. What they use is a very limited colour,brushes, or A brush and sometimes an easel…depending. Take a long hard look at this guy working - its so simple to look at - but doing this is really a labour of love.

The Nora Dunne Gallery Auction (Sun 19th) was a complete success! I was there yesterday for about 2 & half hours and the lot number was only No 200 when i left. I wish i could have stayed longer. There was a great crowd, with many coming and going. The bidding was surprisingly high with certain paintings. One stuck out: The great 20th Century Irish Artist: Letitia Marion Hamilton who’s painting: ‘Market Day Mitchelstown Co Cork (below) which went for €11,500. I suspect the buyer was thrilled to have an iconic artist in his/her hand. The sweat sure flowed from the brow

There were other sweet bids fought also - Norman Teelings: ‘Woman in Interior’ (below) went finally for €1,100. A really fantastic piece of art. I love this artist myself personally. To appreciate his work (as most) you have to see it up close and personal to look at the brush strokes and the brush lines, etc. John Morris is another artist who i admire so much. I actually thought the bidding would be higher. Other artists were high bids too inc: Liam O Neill, John Francis Skelton and Anna Forde. The time i stayed there was a great atmosphere with plenty of ‘craic’ and talk. The ‘main man’ Ben Dunne (owner) was indeed there as Auctioneer extraordinaire along with Professional Auctioneer: Garrett O Connor. Curator of the Gallery: Karen Harper was running around (literally) doing what she does best - her stressful  job. All the Nora Dunne Gallery staff put on a truely magificent show yesterday. I commend you all - thank you!

'Optimus Boats at Motor Yacht Club'( Dun Laoire)

I did this watercolour about two weeks ago - again, working ‘on the spot’. I loved the dark sky against the light coloured hulls of the boats. These boats are ( to me) like ‘dancers’ in the water. The images of these boats on the water with the hulls reflected on the water are abstracted and colourful - the long masts are also like spears jagged with the rippling of the water. These Optimus type boats…(i may need correction here of their correct names…) are sailed mostly by teenagers and younger children in the harbour on weekends and holidays. To see them in the harbour with there sails lifted is amazing, with added colours in the canvas sails.

'Baptist Church, Grange Rd, Rathgar'

This was a watercolour painted on a wonderful Sunday not so long ago. I painted it in my car passenger seat! It’s my portable studio! I was totally struck by the different buildings with the lovely colours of the foliage, etc. The cast shadows played a factor too. It’s not a composition every artist would be struck by. The Church itself was beautiful in appearance against  the back drop of the mature trees.

John Ottis Adams was one of the major figures in Indiana art. A contemporary of T.C. Steele, Adams also studied at the Royal Academy in Munich. Upon his return to Indiana he was a key member of the ‘Hoosier Group’ consisting of Steele, Otto Stark, William Forsyth, and R.B. Gruelle. Adams helped to establish the John Herron Art Institute in 1901 and was an instructor there until his retirement from teaching in 1904. Married to Winifred Brady Adams, herself an artist noted for still lifes.

John Ottis Adams (1851-1927) was a leading landscape painter originally from Amity, in Johnson County, Indiana. He was well taught in both America and Europe, and later received his Master of Arts honor from Wabash College. He became known as one of the five men from the Hoosier Group along with T.C.Steele, William Forsyth, Richard B. Gruelle, and Otto Stark. Along with Steele he shared a house with separate studios in the town of Brookville in Franklin County, Indiana called the Hermitage. He went on to establish an art school in Muncie where he married his pupil, Winifred Brady. Adams later became the first painting and drawing teacher at the new Herron School of Art. He painted in Florida with Forsyth later in his life but returned to Indianapolis in 1926. He died in 1927 and is buried in Muncie. I love the work of this very fine artist. i can across his work a few nights ago and HAD to put it in my blog. His skys are so transparent and full of life. If you study closely at his work, it’s obvious he was influenced by the French Impressionists. His handling of paint is exceptional to no end. American Impressionists are only NOW becoming clear to me how talented they were.

An Auction will be held at this fantastic Gallery situated beside the K.C.R Kimmage. It kicks off Sunday 19th April at 1pm with viewing from Monday April 13th. 250+ pieces are on view with an astonishing array of artists. These paintings MUST be viewed - ranging from not so well know artists to very famous indeed. Art is a very personal thing, so it’s really down to a very personal choice. Be there if you can

Some of the artists i personally know, and their work is progressing very well with maturity and vigor attached to their signature. I hope there will be a big and exciting turn out, infact I’m sure there will. I’m going to be there for sure to see this lovely exciting gallery.It’s SO fresh, open, and very professional in every sense. Ben Dunne will be the Auctioneer with Garrett O Connor. Karen Harper is the gallery’s Curator who does a magnificent job running it with her professional staff.

'Fridays Catch Coal Harbour'

This is a watercolour i did about three weeks ago. I was happy with the colour and transparency of the finished painting. It was a Friday morning when i went down to paint this. Quite a few people were coming down to buy their ‘Friday Fish’ which is a common occurrence weekly. Even though the trawlers do come every evening, Friday is the day the fleet come at once and all congregate at the pier, about ten boats in all. I love the scurry of people who arrive, it’s amazing watching ‘em all. Plaice, Cod, Whiting is usually the choice of fish. I love to fish myself (Fly Fishing), so i have a natural inclination toward the sea.

'Bright Sunny Afternoon, Coal Harbour'

This watercolour has a real feel of freshness and brightness to it..(in my opinion). I was painting this and most..(if not all) of the watercolours/sketches you will see here are painted from the scene - i really do feel there’s nothing more better than been at your subject, as you can totally appreciate with whats in front of you. When your painting outdoors - there’s nothing more rewarding capturing a mood of a subject, as you are at the place in time. Your able to capture ALL the different elements; ie: mood, feel, colour, harmony, even smell, and sounds make it subconsioucly/mentally embedded in your finished painting; i deeply feel this, it’s all processed into one in the completed painting. The one above has i believe these qualities…i hope so.