Art workshop at Kenny’s

ACCLAIMED Irish artist Philip Gray will share his creative talents at a one-day art course in Kenny’s, Lahinch Art Gallery on June 12.
The artist promises to bring course participants on a journey of creative discovery, where they will learn how to paint in oils and pastels and improve their techniques.
“During the day, I will start and finish two paintings with students on the course, one in pastel and one in oil.  I will describe my own techniques and inspire you to create your own paintings under my supervision.  You will leave the day refreshed, inspired, with your own oil and pastel paintings and ready to do it all again,” he said.
The artist was born in Cork, where he lived until he was six, before moving with his family to Dublin. His art is influenced by the sea and his interpretation of the sea.
“Without doubt my passion for the sea can be traced back to my childhood in Cork. I inherited my creative and adventurous spirit from my mother’s side of the family, a lineage that very fittingly nurtured both sailors and artists. Among my siblings there is a graphic designer and an interior designer, so creativity is certainly in the blood.  From as early as five years of age, I remember very vividly being drawn to art and was very fortunate that my parents were acquainted with Trevor Scott. Scott was the founder of the renowned College of Art and Design in Dun Laoghaire. The most vivid childhood memory that I can recall is one of me sitting on Scott’s living room floor with a huge sheet of paper while he tutored me on figurative drawing. I believe these moments were the first steps, which steered me towards exploring my creativity,” he said.
He also joined the navy. “The Irish Navy, a disciplined and respected institution, gave me a new purpose and a sense of destiny. Once I had established myself as a naval diver, while at sea I began to paint. At that time, I had the great fortune of having a unique perspective of Irish landscapes and seascapes as seen from the Atlantic Ocean,” he added.
As chief petty officer, he sailed on the inaugural voyage of the LE Eithne to the 1986 Statue of Liberty centennial celebrations in New York. “This trip marked a significant turning point in my career as I was given the opportunity to exhibit a selection of my originals on the ship at an official reception on its arrival into New York,” he said.
He was named as the best up-and-coming published artist by the Fine Art Trade Guild in the UK, which acknowledges outstanding achievement in the art trade.
The course will take place between 10am and 4pm. To book a place, contact Carmel Kenny on 065 7081400 or email lahinchartgallery@hotmail.com.