Hi there pals,,

So this is an exciting week for me as I prepare to head off to Gstaad Switzerland to participate in ARTSFEMINs inaugural exhibition $€XY (Secure, Enthusiastic,  Exponential and Young at heart) at the luxurious Huss_Gstaad, a stunning location in this rich and famous ski resort. 

This is an all female, curated show highlighting the issues concerning equality within the arts world globally, supporting female artists and global charity: Women for Women International.   I am attending the show to exhibit a huge new work (1 meter x 1 meter) a mixed media/acrylic art work called SAFEHOUSE, I created especially for this exhibit, as I usually work in wax this really is a large scale work for me, and I've got to be honest I loved working this way, working large suits me, its so physical and expressive, I really dived in! 

I have the great pleasure to travel with, and show alongside of Irish visual artists and colleagues, Miriam Fitzgerald Juskova and Fran Halpin and 52 other curated artists from 35 countries. 

As we in 'Team Ireland', as we call ourselves, prepares to depart for what is no doubt going to be a remarkable experience it hasn't escaped my notice that today is a landmark date for the #metoo movement, Harvey W was convicted today in the US...

Between the #MarriageEquality referendum and the #Repeal the 8th referendum here in Ireland a lot of feeling was dragged up for all genders everywhere, followed quickly by the revelations from Hollywood and of course our own appalling history of clerical and state controlled abuse against women and children, #metoo started to unfurl here on our own green soil...and indeed from my studio. 

My feminist principles often flood into my work and SAFEHOUSE is no different.

I hope in some small way to offer a respite of hope through this work, a piffle really when you consider the scale of abuses against women and girls, but a gesture none the less...and a warning to antagonists everywhere...we wont take it anymore, we are strong, we are one, we talk, we are on to you! 

SAFEHOUSE is not an 'angry' work, nor is it anti men, as is often argued when feminist talk comes to the surface.  It is, in fact, a work of art full of hope, one that offers support to all! and after the exhibition launch this weekend when it is premiered, as promised, to the vip vernissage in the wonderful supportive and inclusive hands of Artsfemin I promise I will share the full artwork here.

For now all I can offer is a sneak peek, some press coverage and some prior fem-art works form my studio ...wish me well, I do you.  xx N

Ps: If you wish to join us in Gstaad for this amazing event, follow the registration link in the Artsfmin page here.
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Hi there Arty Friends,

I'm happy to tell you all  I've been painting ... A LOT.... I started back at the paints prior to Christmas, splashing acrylics about in a bid to loosen up, to find some new flow to my work and to challenge myself to working in a different way but influenced by how I normally work with Encaustic.

Its been a revelation to be honest..layering hand made collage and monoprint over intuitive  super expressive marks, playing with tones and hues and then moving into the more decisive and questioning part of the painting has really opened up some different conversations for me...I tried to further the challenge by reducing my palette, both in terms of paint and collage and with thanks to a very intensive (self imposed I might add)  yet pleasurable week on an artists residency at the amazing Tyrone Guthrie Center I feel some real progress has been made.

Just as well says you as I prepare for two solo exhibitions in the Autumn/Winter season..but more on that later...

I have a few classes coming up shortly, another retreat weekend for the ICA at An Grianan and an encaustic print making demo at Creative Spark on behalf of AAEX, a gig Im very much looking forward to, as I get to share my techniques with my peers. 

But my primary concern this month is exhibiting in Switzerland from the end of the month, a visit I hope to extend by visiting with my sister and her family, two birds one stone and Im hoping its going to be a great experience...its definitely a learning curve transporting large scale works abroad but Im hopeful with the advice we have been given all will be well..It is going to be a great show, 55 international female artists descending on the glamorous town of Gstaad facilitated by Swiss arts led group Artsfemin and supporting WFWI charity....showcasing work from across the globe and supporting one another and I am delighted to be joined representing Ireland by my friends and colleagues Miriam Fitzgerald Juskova and Fran Halpin...please wish us well and follow our social media feed for the daily updates.

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For now I shall leave you a little video of my work in progress time at TGC and the terrific time I had in starting 15 paintings, some on paper , some canvas...more to be done ...Bye for now. xx N.

I had the great good fortune recently to be asked open exhibitions DISENGAGED and PERCEPTION by Visual Artists Gabrielle Flynn and Miriam Fitzgerald Juskova , curated by Brendan Dean at Solas Art Gallery in Ballinamore, Co.Leittim. (I gave them a shout out on my recent Vlog!).

These very different Artists and their body of works have a strange syncronicity in making us ask questions of ourselves, both from an outter and inner standpoint. I wish to again congratulate these ladies on a wonderful show and encourage you to go see...it it sonething that will sit with you for sometime x N

An Invitation

Dear friends, Our travelling group exhibition #shiftingwalls is due to hit its 2nd destination, #Themarkethousemonaghan, in the Town Centre of Monaghan on Thursday 3rd of October from 6-8pm. Artists: Kate Beagan, Jo Cummins,Roisin Duffy, Jackie Hudson Lalor, along with myself and curator Sinead Smith, heartily invite you to join us for this opening reception, as we present this body of work in my home town. I do hope to see you there and keep an eye on social media for further event details.