Royal Ulster Academy – Belfast 2023

Delighted to be selected for the 124th RUA Royal Ulster Academy Annual Exhibition. I’m sure the work and dedication of all involved is huge. From selecting the works from over 2000 submissions, shortlisting down to 400 and then the final selection of 200ish. I am very grateful to be in the final selection. There are times I haven’t been selected, and I don’t pretend it doesn’t feel shite. But one must dust oneself off and rev up the engine and remember why I pick up a paintbrush or squish my hands in clay.

So big congratulations to all who are on the walls and equal congratulations to everyone who steps into their studio space, attic, kitchen table, and creates.

Big thanks also for all the hard work behind the scenes of all these shows from the curator, hanging, catalogue design, front of house, the managing of the gallery, and the staff-artist interaction, which I have to say in the RUA, this connection is wonderful. You are always made feel like you are a vital part of the show! Major thanks to Mary, Ruth, Julia and all the team, for always giving that wonderful Belfast welcome. @jameshoransculpture @katebeaganartist @alandoolan1


Show runs until January 2nd 2024, so go see, go support, go buy, go be inspired. So many wonderful works.

B

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Electric Picnic 2023 – Invited Artist

Electric Picnic has always been on the wish list, but life always seem to get in the way so when I got a call to invite me as one of the artists to work on a big painting for the festival, I jumped at the opportunity. While I am used to working big, I am not used to working with people around me and within a time constraint. But I guess I am now. It was such a lovely experience both on site in the stable working on it with the company of other artists working on theirs.

Here it is, the painting I did for @epfestival it’s huge just like the festival..
Art once again brought me new experiences, new connections, and opportunities. It’s so easy to stay in our comfort zones, and believe me, this took me way out of mine.

Soooo, if you’re at #ep and see my painting, take a selfie and send it to me.
I can’t believe that with all the thousands of people here, I still haven’t bumped into anyone I know.

B

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Mermaid Arts Centre Bray – TWENTY ONE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY @mermaidartscentre, congratulations @lemuela and all the team for super evening on Friday 14th July 2023 for the preview of TWENTY ONE, a selected group exhibition of work from 130 artists, celebrating 21 years of Mermaid Arts Centre’s Gallery and Visual Art Programme. This collection of work in media from painting to photography was made following a huge response from artists all over Ireland, and we are delighted to showcase artists both old and new to Mermaid.

Nice to be among such wonderful artists, art connects. Didn’t manage to get pics of all the chats but great to catch up with.

Show runs until September 2023

B

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Transference; How you see me is how you see yourself – Source Arts Centre Thurles

Transference; How you see me is how you see yourself – Source Arts Centre, Thurles, Co Tipperary, 2nd July – 1st August 2023.

In the setting up for my upcoming show in Source Arts Centre Thurles, there was no running away now. It’s funny as I look at the paintings all around the perimeter of the huge gallery space. It reminds me of a teenage disco.

The music is blasting, then it goes down tempo, slows right down. To awkward pace. Careless whisper by George Michael pipes up (I know showing my young age), then it’s sit and wait. Will you? won’t you? be asked up for a ‘slow set’. If not you were counting the seconds for Tainted Love, by Soft Cell to pump its way around the community hall so that you could become invisible amongst the crowd.

Ahhhh Memories. Yes, that’s what my exhibition taps into. Memories, mine, hopefully yours. I love hearing what memories come up for you through my work. You see, it’s just like when I say, Battenburg, loop the loops, big time bars, candy cigarettes, ice cream man, putting on the emersion, boot skates, out till dark, yo-yo’s, skateboards, cool pops, community games, soda streams, bringing your bottles back for money, milk man, bread man, what do you recall?

Transference, how you see me is how you see yourself, please join me on Saturday at 2pm for the opening.

Show opens Fri 2nd to July 1st.

B

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STEM + Creativity= STEAM

Lots of talk about STEM subjects in the media the other day. This is brilliant but where is the A in all of this? Where’s art?

‘EM’ to me fits snugly in between the E and the M, this insertion of A creates STEAM. We all know steam creates, power, movement, and energy?

By adding a little creativity into science, technology,  engineering, and maths, we introduce many elements to enhance learning, thinking, the problem-solving abilities. ‘Thinking outside the box’, is the ability to look at a challenge within science and see the way through using a creative approach.

I posted about this on In Instagram recently and I had many artists reply which you would expect. However, I had two scientists, who replied one said ” I 100% agree, The amount of creative thinking needed in the industry I work in is huge, just knowing the technical parts only gets you so far, I know, I am a scientist”  I mean I rest my case.

Then there’s the other advantage of Art, the proven research into it aiding our health and our well-being. In schools, this is paramount in minding our young. There’s enough stress on them, therefore, to have a subject that not just allows but encourages you to colour outside the lines. To explore, experiment, make mistakes but most importantly try again. To change your mind. Another comment on Instagram read “…art practicing the arts are critically essential to the developing mind, the capacity to reason and feel, solve problems, understand trial and error, and keep practicing both through success and failure, take risks, observe with compassion.”

By adding art, STEAM is not about growing more professional artists. It was never about that.

 

My schoolyears.

When I was in school, I needed art. I was, I believed, crap at it. Yes, I was. I had no confidence, if there was a rock near by I would like to climb under it. (I still have nightmares about the leaving cert, even just the other night).  When it came to any other subject, I loved when I had to draw a diagram or illustrate something, THAT WAS MY HAPPY PLACE, however, the other part of the question would be scraped together.

The expressive aspect of art allowed me to do something I felt I could do, allowed me to get lost, and was the only part of the work I enjoyed.  This was never nurtured by any of the teachers, not even the art teacher. I’m talking secondary school here. My religion teacher was the only one who would make a comment of encouragement, but years on an old-school pal commented that my religion copy was brilliant. I was gobsmacked. I couldn’t believe she remembered.

My school report always said’ Bernadette could do better if she applied herself. This is true, I won’t deny that. The reality was there was lots going on for me as a kid/teenager and I believe I could have done better if someone in authority took a little more interest in what I enjoyed doing and nurtured that. I would not have fit into a STEM system but STEAM would have found a place for me.

Ironically, many years passed, about 30 years actually. I get a call from said school. They came across my website, it looked like I had done well for myself and the teacher was trying to place me, who I was, perhaps stake claim that I went to their school. However, she couldn’t remember me, ‘maybe it was because I had married’, she said. She asked me for my maiden name, but still nothing. I couldn’t be placed. She couldn’t remember me, Well at least I hadn’t been a troublemaker, she would remember me then. I also wasn’t a high achiever or a sportsperson who represented the school in the national games. No, she never could place me, because I fell under the radar.

That’s my tuppence worth as they say on the importance of Art.

I just looked at my school report and as I remembered, Bernadette could do better, Bernadette needs to apply herself, but look at the comment my art teacher gave, see below.

 

Thanks for reading,  12 year old me.

 

 

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Philadelphia Here I come.

Straight out of Ireland, Irelands finest contemporary creative talents.

That song is in my head since I got the email to say I was selected to travel to Philadelphia to exhibit. The exhibition takes place in the Sacred Heart Academy, Bryn Mawr, PA. from  11th-13th November.

The aim of the exhibit is to “Promote some of the abundance of today’s Irish talent  with a vision of exhibiting art that reflects the contemporary and stylish work available while exhibiting the soul of current say Ireland”

I will be showing a selection of paintings and am in the process of packing them and sending them on their way. They will arrive and be waiting to be unwrapped and hung with pride. After which it will be time to get glammed up and ready for the Gala opening.

This is really exciting and a big deal for me as an artist. This is such a wonderful opportunity to spread my wings and bring my work to new audiences. Who knows what will come of it. One thing is always sure is friendship. Art makes you friends.

If you are in the Philly area and New York, give me a bell, send me a message on Instagram or facebook. Or have any good tips or suggestions send my way.

I am so excited and proud to be selected and get to show my work among a great line up of artists and creatives.

Best for now,

Bernadette

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Wexford Festival Opera 2022 Exhibition

Open studio exhibition.

It’s that time of year again.Yes the wonderful Wexford Opera Festival. Are you planning on visiting, it’s the best time of year to take a trip to Wexford. As the rest of the country is battening down the hatches and getting ready to hibernate. Wexford starts to fizz with glamour, music, art, food. It really is wonderful. There will be so much art you will be nourished deep in your soul. If its your first time you will wonder how you haven’t been before. You could be walking down the street and look up and hear the most incredible opera singers performing from  above shop windows as seen last year in Barkers. It sure would give you goosebumps.

My studio will be open daily 11 -5 or by appointment outside these hours. It is located in the Creative hub, directly opposite  Wexford Library and is also accessible  from the main street just beside Joannes bakery.  The hub is home to many more artists so grab a coffee on your way and be ready to be inspired, chat to artists, learn about their practice enjoy yourself.

I do hope to see and welcome you to my studio.

Best

Bernadette.

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Exhibition Opening – 35 Donegal Place Belfast

Super excited to be Exhibiting in Belfast this week. To say the space is incredible is an understatement. It’s breathtaking. I just know any artist would be in love with the space. It’s like something out of New York. My work is hugging the walls like they were made for it. You might find me hugging the walls, I’m in love. Come see what you think, of the art too not just the walls 😁

I hope to see you there if you can make it, this Thursday 2nd June 2022 at 7pm, at 35 Donegal Place Belfast City Centre. @35dp_belfast

Update, if you missed the exhibition we captured it in all its full glory in a Virtual Tour for you to enjoy.

B

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New Website Shop goes live.. yay!

Im delighted to tell you all that I have added a new online shop (as of 3pm Fri 10th December 2021). This new online shop is to facilitate the release of my limited edition prints which so many have been asking for, for quite some time now.

It also allows, for the first time, the online purchase of a small selection of smaller works too. All these works, including the limited edition prints, include delivery within the 32 counties of Ireland. The online purchases are all done fully safe and secure, using the industry leader in online payments and security, Stripe, so you know you’re in safe hands in that regard.

And don’t worry, the larger works on the website are of course also for sale as usual, however you will need to continue to contact me for pricing details for those big ones.

So the wait is finally over, see the limited edition prints here and the small works here.

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