Minor miracle

It’s always a miracle when you manage to finish a painting. So in the spirit of Christmas, and the celebration of the greatest of miracles, here’s a minor one.

“Nascent” – Oil on canvas, 24 x 20 inches (unavailable)

This lucky painting has gone to live in beautiful San Jose, USA with a generous patron.

Painting today

So I’m currently having a war of attrition with some half-started paintings. Here are some artists who are pushing the art form forward whilst I’m stalling…

Alex Kanevsky

Nicholas Samorì

Adrian Ghenie

Nancy Grossman

(Honourable mention as she’s not a painter, but a proper multi-disciplinary artist)

Self portrait

“Self” – Oil on canvas, 24 x 20 inches

This is one half of a pair of self-portraits that I’m working on.

Tomokazu Matsuyama

I just came across the work of Tomokazu Matsuyama, and it really resonated with me. I really think this he’s at the forefront of painting at the moment.

Cambridge Drawing Society Carter Jonas Prize 2010

I’m exhibiting alongside the members of the Cambridge Drawing Society as part of their Autumn 2010 exhibition this week. The venue is the Old Gym at the Leys School in CB2 (which isn’t actually a gym – it’s an impressive Victorian hall that used to be the Art School). The exhibition continues from 24th – 30th October and is open every day from 10 am – 4 pm.

I’m also very pleased to say that I won this years Carter Jonas prize for a young artist for my 2010 painting “Imploder”. My cohorts in the competition were really, really top notch artists so I was doubly pleased to win it.

“Imploder” – Oil on board, 20 x 24 inches

Éigse 2010, Carlow, 11th – 20th June 2010

It’s that time of year again, when Carlow prepares to not only  host Irelands most essential arts festival, but also to welcome the arty educated elite and educate the philistine masses. Opening on June 11th, Éigse 2010 is promising to be a real treat this year. Of course I have a vested interest, as I’m lucky enough to be taking part in the Éigse 30 year Visual Arts Retrospective. There’s a whole host of Irelands most important visual artists, including some friends and heroes of mine, and some of our adopted imported talent too..

They say you can judge a person by the company they keep, so check these peers out – John Shinnors, Donald Teskey, Michael Canning, William Crozier, Hughie O’Donoghue, Colin Crotty, Mick O’Dea, Martin Gale, Mike Fitzharris and the rapidly ascending Sheenagh Geoghegan.

 

“Pictures of an exhibition” paintings

Here’s a sample of what went up on the walls…

“Duel” – Pencil and acrylic on Arches paper, 30 x 22 inches

“Playing possum” – Pencil and acrylic on Fabriano paper, 40 x 32 inches

“Dialogue” – Oil on canvas, 36 x 24 inches

“Nightmare” – Ink on Arches paper – 20 x 16 inches

“He loves me” – Oil on canvas, 24 x 20 inches

“He loves me not” – Pencil and acrylic on Bockingford paper, 24 x 20 inches

“Pictures of an exhibition” – March 12th 2010 in the Cork School of Music

Pierre O’Reilly

The orchestra practicing

“Pictures of an exhibition” -  A collaboration between Cork School of Music student, pianist & composer Pierre O’Reilly and artist Stephen Murphy, based on mutual mastery of technique and appreciation for the classical tradition presented in a contemporary manner.

The artist will present a selling exhibition of paintings and works on paper in the Cork School of Musics foyer, fronted by Joanne McCarthy, current Director of New Ashgate Gallery, Farnham, Surrey. The exhibition will be open to the public, admission free, until 7pm on Friday 12th. The official reception begins at 7.00pm with the concert following at 8.30pm sharp.

The evening will culminate in a one-off live concert composed by O’Reilly, conducted by Conor Palliser and performed by the student orchestra of the Cork School of Music.

This special event follows on from the 2009 collaboration, ‘Uba’s Story’ – a composition by Mr. O’Reilly performed by the CSM student orchestra with a live projection of narrative imagery created by emerging illustrator Rosemary Byrne.

About the Concert

The concept of O’Reilly’s composition and the event itself is a reference to a very famous piece of classical music called ‘Pictures at an Exhibition’ by 19th Century Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky. A suite of ten movements composed for piano, it is a well-known showpiece for virtuoso pianists.

About the Exhibition

This exhibition of ten selected works in oil on canvas and drawing/mixed media on paper forms a visual metaphor and narrative of the chronology of ‘growing up’. The first five works are related to early childhood – themes of play specifically. Works six and seven are related to adolescence, and works eight, nine and ten relate to ‘grown up’, or as the artist terms, “existential matters”.

About the Technique

Murphy has meticulously developed a rich library of visual imagery, symbols and subject matter alongside a strict base of classical painting techniques: draughtsmanship, composition and colour theory. His works provoke extreme reactions in viewers, with many of his works not created to be simply aesthetic in manner, but to take the viewer to a place beyond emotive connection and to a place rich in reference, style, technique and context.

About the Composer

Pierre O’Reilly is a composer and pianist whose early travels and experiences have deeply influenced his rich vein of work. His solo recitals comprising of moody and expressive tones with an often dramatic style along with observations on his compositions have enveloped audiences wherever he has performed.

O’Reillys suite for orchestra and choir ‘Uba’s Story – A Tale From The Wild’ premiered last year and solidified his position as a great emerging talent.

The forthcoming collaboration with artist Stephen Murphy titled ‘Pictures Of An Exhibition’ will enhance O’Reillys innovative and thrilling dynamic with orchestra and choir. He is presently studying for a Bachelor of Music at the Cork School of Music.

~With thanks to Ms. Joanne McCarthy

Three beautiful ladies

I’m very happy that these three beautiful ladies are heading off to their new home. A generous, philanthropic benefactor is fueling my Christmas related Caligula-esque debauchery after taking three paintings of mannequins off my hands. See Doll A, Doll B and Doll C below. All 20 x 24 inches, oil on canvas.Also, might I take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas, and happy holidays to all.

Now might also be an ideal time to drop a tickle bomb -  I am pleased to announce that my next solo exhibition will be on March 12th 2010 in Cork City in the Cork School of Music. However, it won’t simply be a silly little exhibition of paintings, drawings and prints, as you can probably guess from the venue there’s going to be a little music involved.

More detailed details to follow, but I can tell you that my good friend and giftedly talented composer / musician Pierre O’Reilly is going to be organising something special with the students of the school to accompany each of the pieces on show. And it’s going to be unreal. More details soon hopefully~

Conor Harrington video interview

Video interview with the boy Conor whilst working on new work previous to his latest show. I wouldn’t look that relaxed with a deadline and canvasses that big in front of me. He’s some sort of painting superhero. check it out… (Link)

Video shot and edited by Joe Cogan (jmcproductions.co.uk)

Photo by Ian Cox (wallkandy.net)