Hi there Friends,

It's been a very busy few months here between my usual run of classes and workshops, including my 101 masterclass in encaustic at my home studio. A tailor made package for 2 people where I introduce participants to the joy of encaustic painting on panel, including, medium and paint making, incising, accretion techniques and transfer...a great fun day out with lots of materials to play with..I have two weekend dates still available prior to the Christmas period, so drop me a line if its a day of exploration and experimentation you think you might enjoy.

​ artistniamhoconnor@gmail.com

Its also been a busy time for exhibitions as I showed a number of works from my "hidden...Out Loud" series at Hambly and Hambly at Dunbar house in Enniskillen as part of their summer solstice celebrations during their event happening as part of the amazing Fermanagh Live festival.
L'art Pour L'art, was a magical happening event as an opening reception for the exhibiting artists with the most spectacular music provided by Maeshine a Bangor based duo, namely Inge and Anna who fuse Folk with cetic, world and new age genres...soulful stuff and a terrific showing of available works from yours truly and many others.

I have had the distinct pleasure of having my work accepted by one of my very favourite Galleries, Hambly & Hambly at Dunbar House. (See images below, of pieces currently available there). One of my first encounters with this fantastic large Commercial Gallery came through Facebook, I was astounded by how many of the artists I follow, love and admire where on show here....I quickly joined their mailing list and when well enough started to attend some of their amazing and varied exhibitions and happenings.

In 2018 my work was accepted for the 1ft sq show, an annual exhibition I have been delighted to be included in now for some years, with the unfortunate closing of the wonderful Higherbridges Gallery in Enniskillen the exhibition was opened in the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh. It was a successful exhibition with the usual mix of stunning works from all levels of creative....It was decided by the powers that be that the exhibition should again be shown in its original hometown of Enniskillen and Hambly & Hambly was the chosen destination much to my absolute delight. This was the first introduction of my work to this prominent Gallery and our relationship has developed from there.

I am seriously thrilled to tell you my work is available in the same space as so very many of my peers & idols, contemporary & modern artists and abstractionists...this progressive vibrant and quite possibly largest commercial Gallery in the region is ticking all my boxes, do yourself a favour and go visit, the breath of work is outstanding, varied and exciting and the venue itself a hidden oasis of grace and elegance.

We had a wonderful night at our Opening Reception for #shiftingwalls in Strule Arts Centre, Omagh...or so I'm told! Due to a calendar clash I was unable to attend the opening night...we knew this as soon as our dates came in and whilst it was unfortunate it was unavoidable.

Kate, Jo, Roisin, Jackie and Sinead were all there, along with Fermanagh and Omaghs District Council Arts Manager Byrony May who so readily agreed to open on our behalf ..and what a fine job she did (https://www.instagram.com/p/B0Wv-xUlbRj/?igshid=yczlbiykga0c) and thank you again Byrony, your support means a great deal to us all.

I had mentioned earlier there are plans afoot for a closing event in Strule before this exhibition continues onto its next destination (The Markethouse, Monaghan followed by Droichead Arts Centre, Louth). However at time of writing we are still finalizing these details, coordinating so many busy diaries is never a simple task and I shall of course tell you all as soon as I can on the date settled, for now I'll leave you with an open invitation to go see our exhibition, enjoy our work and feel free to let us know your opinion or indeed share your #shiftingwalls story.

I have mentioned before that I was bringing my wax ironing workshops back to Armagh in August, and it's coming up....Saturday Aug 10th to be exact ..and news is there is 1 space left....see below for details xx N.

Its always so wonderful to be booked as a facilitator for classes and community outreach programmes and this June 15th is no different...I am thrilled to be invited by Clones Ulster Canal Stores here in County Monaghan with support from Waterways Ireland to partake in their "Water Willow and Wildlife" series of events through an introduction to encaustic wax and iron painting.

  These two hour taster sessions will take place on Saturday the 15th from 11 - 1 O'Clock for limited numbers, materials and tools are provided and in this taster session you will learn the very basics of beeswax and iron painting with me...I am very much looking forward to this flash event and do hope you can join me on the day.  Booking IS essential , please see number below.  Thank you . x N.

  The Ulster Canal Stores are currently running a project kindly funded by Waterways Ireland Heritage Plan 2016-2020. This project is to raise awareness of our ecosystems, the importance of nature and how we can do our bit to encourage wildlife to our areas. 

Our program will include planting for nature, a schools art competition and public talks, all around our 'Water, Willow & Wildlife' theme.  

As part of this project we will hold Encaustic Art, or hot wax painting classes with Monaghan artist Niamh O'Connor.  This is a wonderful opportunity to try an new and uncommon art form. €20 all materials & refreshments included.
        Saturday June 15th    11am-1pm   Pre -booking essential   Tel: 047 52125

Hope to see you there, please feel free to share this link and all bookings direct to the numbers given - many thanks Niamh.

So last you heard from me I shared a wee process video ahead of my part in the group exhibition called Connected@thecopperhouse (through all social media channels follow #connected12 to see images and updates from the entire gambit of artists involved) the work was broad ranging, mixed media, advanced paper works, clay, encaustic, watercolour, graphic portraiture and photography and as mentioned before it was colourful, it was THANKFULLY a packed house AND it was fun….

I was ever so grateful to see a couple of familiar faces, family and friends pop in to lend their support. I landed a tidy commission I shall tell you more about another time but for now want to give a shout out to Mark at The Copperhouse Gallery for his support, Tara Prendergast from Biscuit for the support and to Monica Loughman for opening for us on the night. I especially want to thank the following artists for their comradeship and for the opportunity to show along side of ye all – a good bunch – cheers ladies x
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Ana Dorado, Emma Higgins, Deborah Cogley, Karen Hickey, Isabelle Gaborit, Miriam Fitzgerald Juskova, Angela Emsen-West, Liga Valge, Rachel McDermott, Valerie Sweeney and Fran Halpin.

Hi Folks

I do hope this finds you well..Happy Friday, how's your week been?

Here, with both the O'Connor children heading back to school its been all go go go to return to a normal routine after what I can only describe as a long hot summer..gosh but it was good!

I think I mentioned previously I am chomping at the bit to return to the studio, the studio which is now back at home in the garden build, a little tidier then when I last looked at it and just itching to be used. I have stocked up on some new materials and have two new works, and happily a commission, currently brewing in my head ...and while I am simply waiting for Monday morning to roll round and free me of some upcoming commitments I have been looking at the diary for the winter season and all that is ahead.

As you may or may not know I am very much looking forward to presenting a full encaustic demo on Culture Night at the fabulous space that is Monaghans Garage Theatre...thats Friday the 21st of September for those of you who want to mark the calendar. As part of the night I have committed to a 'wee taster" session on the night on a FIRST COME FIRST SERVED basis which I am happy to share with the first 15 folk that sign up on the night.

In replying to messages and enquiries since posting these details I have decided to follow on from this by holding an EU Encaustic Class in Saturday 29th September again at the Garage Theatre...its a fun, creative and productive session which teaches the joys of painting with wax using irons on card. Its an Introduction class...you dont have to know how to draw or paint as no previous experience is required - if however you are a painter its still a great days exploration...so if you feel the need for colour and creativity this is the class for you!

​ Saturday the 29th September 1-5 pm is the date and costing 55euro per person including all materials and equipment its going to fill up fast...Do get in touch to book your place and until then go well .

I will be in the studio if you need me. Wish me luck.

xN

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