Shifting walls...the premier showing...

Its Tuesday morning and finally the van...or should that read VANS are packed! The excitement is palpable as are the nerves....nothing major just the usual worries, did we forget

something?

Who has the brochures? Did anyone remember the catgut? What time do they open? Jesus when will we eat!....

The Joy's and I do mean that, the actual joy of being involved with this group, a show with my dear pals, colleagues and peers as we share our #shiftingwalls exhibition of works with the world....what's better then that!?

Some time ago I promised I would introduce you to my fellow artists and it's been so busy I almost forgot so today I shall do just that...this is a powerhouse of a list, vibrant, talented, wild strong artists all with something to say, a story to share, their own and others, a show to hang!

​So in alphabetical order...cause what other way is there...

Kate Beagan

Kate Beagan is someone I adore ( they all are in fairness) her work takes you somewhere, you could imagine stepping into her work, walking on her roads, splashing in her lakes, feeling the warmth of the setting sun, or the chill in the air depicted by her lush use of colour, her play of light.

Her application of paint is accomplished, confident, right....a true and well renowned master of the landscspe, not so often seen are Kate's astounding figurative works! She achieves great depictions of emotion through the placement of a limb, a choice of colour, an expression, her eye and ability bring these to life before our very eyes... see and read more about Kate at www.katebeaganartist.com .

Jo Cummins

Jo, (equally wonderful, warning...there is going to be a lot of this I do love these people!) has a drama to her work created not just by the content and context of her subject matter, but by the bold choice of palette she brings to her painting. Bright , vibrant colour, eyecatching strength of hues that jump from the wall at you in the best possible ways, dynamic, insightful and full of story with a graphic quality that is as much intriguing as attesting...find out more about Jo and her work: www.jocummins.net .

Roisin Duffy

Roisin is a beautiful story teller...the use of tone and texture in her work, her houses, islands, single figures, groups and animals all tell us something about ourselves, she depicts the human condition in all its glory, the good and bad, the fun, the mad and even sometimes the sad we all experience from time to time. But Roisin brings it to us is such a genteel manner, wrapped in a loving hug of her colour and playful depiction, a poem accompanies many of her pieces and bring us even closer to the tales she tells. Roisins work and poetry can be seen at: www.roisinduffy.com .

Jackie Hudson Lalor

A surrealist painter and powerful print maker with a dark mysterious humor is how I would describe Jackie. She not so much "tells us stories", but entralls us with woven webs. Metaphor plays deeply as she mines her psyche and portrays all she finds there, with immaculate craftsmanship and a deeply held balance of nuance and grit. Her powerful understanding of the "dark" in her work pours out at you and prickles your soul! See Jackie's latest work at: www.jackiehudsonlalor.com .

And finally Meself -
Niamh O'Connor.

www.niamhoconnorart.com

And there you have it....my intro to my wonderful fellow artists for #shiftingwalls. Our touring exhibition kicking off this Thursday 25th of July at 7pm.

Might I take this opportunity to publically thank our Curator Sinead Smith for her hard work, expertise and powerful eye in helping us make real our vision for this show xx

And also might I extend a hand of thanks to Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Art Manager, Ms. Byrony May, who has so graciously agreed to Open for us..many thanks Byrony xx.

And a further thanks to Bernie and the wonderful staff for their care and assistance at the gorgeous Strule Arts Centre ..we are so looking forward to this time working with you all...thank you x

All that remains for me to say (proudly) is you are all cordially invited to join us for our Opening Reception with refreshments at 7pm. #struleartscentre, Omagh, this Thursday evening 25th July

Unfortunately, due to a prior commitment to family I am unable to be at the opening this time...I am of course upset to miss this experience, this first night moment with you all ...but family before work I'm afraid....I do hope you might get to see the work during its run at the #StruleArtsCentre, additionally I hope to tell you shortly about a closing event we are planning...so please stay tuned...and if you do get to see the exhibition I'd love to hear your take on it?

I'd also invite you to look up #shiftingwalls on all media platforms to follow our tour and happenings and to recive details of all upcoming events and exhibitions for this 2019-2020 season.

Xx N.