Landscapes
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Portrait Paintings
While a photograph might last a lifetime, a painted portrait will be cherished for generations.
These are samples of my portraiture in oil and pastel, in varying styles.
As with all artists, Ideally I like to paint from life with my subject posed in the studio. However more frequently I tend to take a series of photographs (try and get a child to sit still!). Occasionally, if the photograph is good enough, I will work from supplied references.
Upon Small Shoulders
Ireland’s economy spiralled into the abyss as a result of corporate arrogance, individual greed and negligent governance. The burden of our shattered economy and massive debt has become our children’s legacy.
Upon Small Shoulders - Neil Condron
This large oil painting (7’x3’) depicts a small child sitting precariously on rusted scaffolding with the Irish tricolour draped behind her. The old scaffolding of an unfinished property development represents the remnants of Ireland’s ‘Celtic Tiger’ boom. The little girl represents the children of Ireland left vulnerable and destitute with a crippling burden to carry as a result of greed and negligence. The flag ‘our brightest colours’ is Ireland, her heritage .
Her expression however isn’t one of fear and her posture is confident and defiant.
She is captivated by something that has distracted her from her plight and her outstretched arm gestures to the viewer. What she is looking at and the meaning of her gesture are for you to interpret.
I hope you enjoy it.
MY LITTLE MODEL
My lovely little model’s name is Tia. Originally I had intended to use her older sister Georgia as the model. I’d painted Georgia’s portrait before (she is the pretty red haired child on my portraits page). I has the set ready when they both arrived to the studio so not wanting to miss the opportunity I took shots of both girls in a variety of poses. Tia was actually wearing trousers and ugg boots in the initial shoot but as I was probably focusing more on facial expression I didn’t really notice until I was examining my references later. I felt that she looked too comfortable in them. I wanted the child in the painting to look vulnerable and unprotected so I got her back into the studio for a second session wearing just her dress. The final image was actually a combination of a number of shots and a bit of improvisation. And yes she has those eyes and lips – a gorgeous little dote!
SINEAD O' CONNOR'S NEW ALBUM COVER
Singer/songwriter Sinéad O’Connor acquired my painting to use as the cover of her long awaited 9th album ‘How about I be me (and you be you)?‘. Naturally I’d recommend that you run out immediately and get yourself a cd for an incredible sound and of course a stunning cover!! As an added bonus the full painting is part of the inner sleeve [:)] .
I’ve Limited Edition Giclée Prints (and postcards) of ‘upon small shoulders’ if you’d like to get a copy of the real thing.
The perfect gift for any Sinéad O’Connor fan – A copy of her new CD ‘How about I be me (and you be you)?’ and a Limited Edition Print of ‘upon small shoulders’!
My little model Tia
The album cover
This photo (with the very serious artist!) shows the scale of the piece. I had the canvas made to 7′ x 3′ a size that the wonderful artist James Mc Neill Whistler use for a number of his paintings. I wanted to produce a series of 3 large paintings that I felt highlighted the problems my country was experiencing, and I felt Whistlers proportions created the ideal canvas size. The second of the series is underway with the third in planning.
My goatee didn’t last (Mrs C didn’t approve!) and my smile returned.
'Horizons' Collection
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Pastel
Child
I painted this emotive image as result of the recent tragic abduction of yet another innocent victim whose cries were unheard. I rendered it using pastel overlaying poem ‘God made little girls’ representing our misguided and fanciful perception that our children are safe from the living monsters that prowl on their innocence – the terrified child represents the tragic reality.
Spare a thought or a prayer for the all the missing children and their distraught families.
(The reference I used was from an anonymous photograph I found on the internet)
Zeus
The last dog I painted was a cocker spaniel ‘Kerry’ about 40 years ago, which is still hanging in my brother Barry’s house. As painting became an occasional pastime for the following 35 years I never thought of having another stab at ‘canine portraiture’.
However having painted humans at all ages I decided to have a bit of fun with my pastels and paint one of my dogs (there could be some canine commissions out there?). Zeus is my lovable, loyal (he loves me to bits) and beautiful boxer. He’s getting on a bit in dog years and getting a bit grey around the edges but he still has a great figure – unlike his master!
LifeDrawing
Life Drawing is a drawing of the human form (nude) in any of its various shapes and postures using any of the drawing media either as highly detailed, anatomically correct renderings, or loose and expressive sketches
Travertine
Oil painting on Travertine stone.
Travertine is an Italian stone that adorns some exclusive floors around the world. I am intrigued with the raw, pitted, unpolished reverse of the stone (100cm x 50cm). The Travertine substrate is a striking backdrop and gives each painting a unique thumbprint. The result is a painting with the texture of a piece of sculpture. Some of the pieces below may be available to purchase or I can discuss a personalised concept to suit your imagination.
Special Occasions
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