Pigsy in Efffusion Gallery, Duval Street

 Today was an unbelievably cold day in Key West - record lows of temperature in the 50's.  On a day like that, it calls for a nice alcoholic beverage to warm you up.  

In advance of going for said alcoholic drink, I stopped by Effusion Gallery to check out the (decreasing) Irish artist, Pigsy's collection.  I say decreasing, or ever dwindling, because pieces from the collection keep getting sold!

Today I was saying goodbye to the painting "S.E.B." before it headed off to its new home.  It's a great piece and I was glad to see it one more time in situ in Key West.

From there, I headed on to Alonzos to meet with my friend Lara and her friend Tracy.  I met Lara 8 or 9 years ago when I was in Cancun, meeting the first day of the vacation and spending the rest of the time together. The abiding memory from that holiday is playing a lot of volleyball - in the mornings, and then a lot of drinks in the pool in the afternoon.  She is from Texas and was in town for the Mile Marker Zero festival. We had the loveliest of time together, Lara being as fabulous and fun as ever.  It's just lovely staying in touch with people who you click with.

All of that made for a great day and warmed me up no doubt.  But now, I am back home and it is cold again - I am posting this from bed, drowning under a million blankets and a cat. Thoughts and prayers please!

Adorable blog post!

My twin sister Enid (of RenovatingLPA blog) was recently a guest blogger for Pigsy.  I think she wrote the most adorable and helpful post.  Enid as you might know is a librarian.  Her post is all about suggestions of things to do to introduce your child to art.  A bonus is she also gives her Top 10 suggestions of books for children.  It is a practical blog post - with helpful ideas for you and your little one(s) - to help keep them entertained, and learning, at the same time.  Enid is a an awesome librarian, I used to love visiting her in all the libraries she has worked in over the years and see her interact with people and talking books. Particularly with young people and children.  I do hope you enjoy her guest blog!

**Read her post here!**

Irish artist Pigsy - Art & Film

Fantastic Pigsy event coming up this Thursday - a presentation of his latest artwork and a screening of the wonderful Mike Andrews' Pigsy documentary film.  

The only bad news I am afraid, is that it is an all-ticketed affair and at this point is Sold Out! 

Nostalgia's not what it was

Following on from my blog post last week, the excitement about Irish artist Pigsy's exhibition (Nostalgia's not what it was) continues to grow. 

Pigsy as you know is my brother in law - and if you will allow me the immodesty I am just a little bit proud of him. And how could I be anything but, after coming across THIS in the Irish Times on Thursday.  Not bad being referenced in a piece with the incredible Jean-Michel Basquiat eh?!

For the online text of the article see here.  And for more info on Ciaran/Pigsy check out his website. 

If  you are around Dublin this Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun why not drop into the Fumbally Exchange on Dame Lane and say hi.  I shall be there most of the weekend helping out and enjoying the vibe :-)

Nostalgia's not what it was - a solo exhibition

Busy times for my brother in law Ciaran McCoy aka the Irish artist Pigsy. At the moment he is preparing for his second solo exhibition at the beginning of October.  He is also being filmed and interviewed by filmmaker Mike Andrews for a documentary Mike is making about him.  Oh and on top of that he only had one of the projects that he was lead architect on featured in the Sunday Times this weekend (I like to say he is an architect by day, and an artist by night!).

Anyway, I digress.  His exhibition!
Running over 4 nights in the very cool Fumbally Exchange, opening night is Thursday 5th of October and am sure will have a great buzzy atmosphere just like his last exhibition.  And then on Friday night there will be a street party vibe - the Fumbally Exchange is on Dame Lane which is always good on Friday nights!

Oh and.  Did I mention free beer?
Hope Beer will be showcasing their hand made Irish craft beers at the exhibition too

For more information about Pigsy check his website out here



 

Saturday brunch

It's a bank holiday weekend here in Ireland.  It's also Halloween and the marathon is on - there is always a good atmosphere around the end of October in Dublin. 

 

Enid and I were overdue a catchup with our friend Alice so we arranged to meet in the rooftop restaurant in M&S on Grafton Street early on Saturday morning - Grafton Street was lovely, not too packed with people and even at that time some great buskers out entertaining.

 

I just love their pastries!

How cute is this gingerbread with the tiny gingerbread men on top?!

Myself and the gals.  Alice, Enid and I have been best friends since we were 7 years old and it's always great to see them.  A lot of our conversation was about the big trip we are planning to take in November 2017 (for our 40ths),  We started talking about this trip about 18 months ago, and it is very exciting to think that we are literally on the one year countdown now!  That time will fly I am sure - 18 months ago seems about 2/3 months ago looking back.

Later that afternoon Enid and I called into The Kemp Gallery to see Ciaran's exhibition.  I love modern art, and his stuff really reminds me of the New York graffiti/street artist Jean Michel Basquiet's work.  I'm really really tempted to buy a piece - I think it would look incredible on the big high ceilinged wall above my fireplace - but it's a big purchase...I need to think about it some more.

One to watch.....!

Keeping it in the family!  I think you all know my twin sister and her blog.  Well we have added another person to our stable - my brother in law Ciaran is now blogging too!  Welcome Ciaran! 

Check his blog out at The Art of Ciaran McCoy. 

Ciaran is an architect slash artist.  He designs and creates the most beautiful buildings and he also paints the most incredible expressionist paintings.  He has an exhibition coming up in Autumn this year which I for one am very much looking forward to.

"Dad's Dublin" by Ciaran McCoy

I'd love you to hear what you think of his blog of and his work?