Pictúir Mark Two and Speedpainting

Agent Orange's lab - Oisín McGann

Remember Pictúir? The exhibition I waxed poetic about last November, an exhibition on children's book illustration here in Ireland?

Pictúir's coming to its close tomorrow, so today there was a last hurrah of activities - It being Laureate Na nÓg Niamh Sharkey's final event as such, too (I know I've had a very good and educational year due to her ideas and family days, having volunteered to help today and during the summer and then attending some events myself!).

"I want to go... HOME!" - Niamh Sharkey

 For a good amount of the day I assisted with Story Building, in the lunchroom with Gráinne Clear, who was fabulously sweet and enthusiastic. I think we all had a blast with it, when each child was finished they could exhibit their work at the end of the room on well lit fabriano! Seeing children scribbling away, or s grin spreading across their face as they listened was beautiful. Their eyes lighting up as they're reminded that really, anything can happen, it's their story, and they have full control. Seeing them write and seeing them create was inspiring in itself - I could have done it all day. I think we all need to aim for our uninhibited childhood again (Tempered by the skill and knowledge of adulthood). As always Children's Books Ireland and Niamh did a wonderful job in organisation- despite the fact a good few hundred kids flooded through IMMA today, it went off without a hitch

I'm hoping that it's true IMMA (Irish Museum of Modern Art) are thinking of continuing on with exhibiting illustration, and in encouraging children in! Reaching a variety of audiences is something Different, and everyone  benefits from this.




In other news, because sleep is something I evidently don't need at all (hah), I decided to try my hand at speed painting last night after speed reading through a tutorial in Imagine FX's pin-up issue. It was pretty inspiring and took the fear of speed paint away. While the image I've come through with could do with some tightening and more clarity, I can't help but feel it's a good start.

Bodkins' Bar

Of course I'm writing about it, haha.
Yeah, this week's been buzzing with activity, I'm kind of glad I didn't go to Eirtakon (Even if I did, sadly, miss a birthday party). I arrived home on Monday at about half eleven or so, trudging through the dark, after making stencils with three beautiful people.

Then on the Tuesday, it was up bright and early, waiting to get to work on Bodkins Bar.

Bodkins has been open for over twenty years and has gone through many changes. This time, it's Mexican. The back's been converted into a gorgeous, casual littler mexican food haven, with butcher paper "tablecloths" everyone is encouraged to doodle on. The food's superb.

Through Facebook we found out that, having repainted the front of Bodkins, the owner wanted artists to come on over and decorate the place up a little, we volunteered.

Yes. Yes. I can hear you all screaming "No. No you don't do it for free!".
And had we been working each on our own, I reckon we'd be screaming with you, but instead we took it as a group and simply enjoyed working with one another. We got down to business and cooperated, it was pretty beautiful, if I do I say myself. Illustration's a lonely business. Group work can be nightmarish, I know, but with such a common and clear theme, a look the Owner wanted, I feel we could pull through very personal preferences and interpretations.. Also we got a meal and drinks for free and we're coming back another night for food and cocktails. Ahem.

"They're students, they'll work for drink, right?"

It was a good experience for all of us, one to be remembered, and hopefully one which will open the door for us to work together even more.

It was a great pleasure to work with Megan, Joe and Kelly,
Go pooch - their work is well worth looking at.