Pigsy in Kenmare

For the most part, I love living abroad and only occasionally do I really miss home. Well one of those "missing home" times is now!

My twin sister and her husband, the Irish artist Pigsy, are putting on a big wonderful art show in the beautiful town of Kenmare. If you've been following my blog you will know that I've worked with them on many exciting projects in the past including art exhibitions in Dublin and London.

The good news is that they are not missing me! I.e. everything is going swimmingly and they don't appear to need me even one little bit. Gee whizz you guys, that hurts! Lol, I digress, plus am joking.

Without further ado please let me give you a pre opening overview of Catharsis of Collapse by Pigsy

There's Enid, hard at work with the hanging of the artworks.

They hired a van and drove down from Dublin - themselves, all the art pieces and Bones the dog.

This exhibition is sponsored by Torc Brewing,  exciting new craft beer brewers from Killarney.

Pigsy and his art show got nice coverage in a good few publications over the last few weeks. Pictured is a little piece from Ireland's Social and Person magazine.

And finally! The space. With all the art hung in it. How beautiful and awesome is this venue, The Kenmare Buttermarket. Would you believe it was an old dance hall in the 1960's. The space and scale works perfectly for the scale and vibrancy of Pigsy art.

Well done Enid and Ciaran aka Pigsy! I am excited for you and I know this show will be a success. Enjoy the fruits of your hard work!

And if you are in Kerry for the next month, why not stop by and see the show?!

Valentine's Day suggestion - give an everlasting gift...

 Too early to talk about Valentine's Day?  It's just about a month away now.  If your plan is to wait until closer to the moment and pick up a nice card and a bunch of flowers or a box of chocs for your significant other, well that sounds just lovely! And you can look away now as it sounds like you are all set - although, if you are open to one suggestion from me, it would be: get a hearted shaped box of chocolates! :) Even better if the box is a plush red velvet!

If you are thinking about going a little more adventurous, and doing something more long lasting, then here are some ideas for the Pigsy art lover in your life - included are suggestions to suit all budgets

Option 1

Irish artist Pigsy, Enamel Art Mugs are priced at euro24.99 and are a pretty cool gift in my opinion.  They can be used for hot drinks, tea, coffee. but also they are pretty awesome for using for cold drinks, beer or cocktails etc too. Perfect for use every day, but also cool for displaying on a shelf and showing off your art in a quirky way. He has just launched a Limited Edition mug "The Kiss" for Valentine's Day 2021

Option 2

Who wouldn't love a striking print in a bespoke frame, custom designed by Pigsy, in their home. Limited Edition prints offer an accessible entry point to becoming an art collector.  Why not get a print for you and your beloved this Valentine's?! Limited Edition prints are available through Designyard in Dublin city, in various sizes, prices starting at euro790.  View available prints here! Contact Ronan Campbell at Designyard on +353 1 474 1011 or Pigsy directly .

Option 3

Big and bold! Go big like Pigsy's paintings and push the boat out. View his latest work, the "Seven Spanish Angels" collection  

Bringing art in to the family home brings an air of creativity, tranquility, inspiration and positivity,  It opens up the potential for anything to happen in the future, and it is inspirational for all who live with it. Contact Pigsy directly to talk about purchasing an original paintings or contact Ronan Campbell in Designyard +353 1 474 1011.

Whatever you do, enjoy it!  2020 has been a challenging year, 2021 is looking very similar right now.   As Burt Bacharach said, and Jackie DeShannon sang "what the world needs now is Love"

Now you can WEAR Pigsy art

 Exciting news! Irish artist Pigsy has launched his own line of wearable art - tshirts, trucker caps, tote bags and more.  And you can even drink art now - I think the enamel mugs are my favourites!

Two pics below, but for all his gear, check out his merch page on the Pigsy website.

Cute!!!  I love this print

My favourite!

I have heard on good authority these cups are good for your coffee in the morning AND your wine in the evening! Check out his website - there is another cool mug with the awesome cyberpunk print.

Ps. I am thinking the tshirts and enamel mugs would make perfect Christmas presents for the art lover in your life!

Arts, art, and artistic endeavours. Irish artist Pigsy and The Old Knitting Factory, Connemara, Co. Galway

 In these crazy times (covid...and something else which I just don't have the energy to talk about right now, I think you get what I am talking about?) I am trying to focus on positivity.

Books. Escapism from the real word, I am trying to get back into more reading these days. 

Art.  

Pigsy

Irish artist Pigsy, now based in Spain (Malaga), continues to go from strength to strength.  The pieces he is creating are fantastically powerful and aesthetically stunning. And he is being noticed! He was recently featured in an English paper in Spain - click here to read the article.  And was invited on to Talk Radio Europe to talk about his artwork and the creative and uncharted year that lies ahead of him in Malaga.

The Old Knitting Factory

Do you remember that beautiful lakehouse cottage I used to visit in Carraroe, Co. Galway? Well! Wait until you hear what is going on there now.  

Best selling New York Times author Betsy Cornwall has the most amazing plans underway to turn it in to a childcare-inclusive arts retreat for single moms.  How fitting is that, considering the history of the cottage, built in 1906 by the Congested Districts Board as a knitting school, serving to provide employment for the women of the area.

Read all about the plans for the Old Knitting Factory here.

Click to follow the journey via Instagram...or even better...why not be part of the vision...?! Donate via crowdfunding here!

Separate, but related, Ms Cornnwall's 5th book was just published in June 2020 and it is awesome!  

While it is actually a Young Adult book, I thoroughly enjoyed this modern retelling of Rose Red and Snow White. With some novel twists, and thought provoking themes, I whole heartedly recommend this read for the Young Adult in your home/family/life.

Art during Quarantine

During these crazy pandemic times I am turning to lots of things to help me through.  You know, important things like wine, vodka, key lime pie :)
And art.

I am seeing and hearing about lots of wonderful things people are doing here in Key West.  Even simple things like facemasks (we are all wearing them!), local artists are doing fantastically creative things with them.

How simply beautiful are these masks hand-painted by Rick Worth.

Back home in Ireland I am hearing about an AWESOME project in the works, by a woman, for women, in the Gaeltacht area of Connemara.  I can't say too much about it right now, but watch this space, as soon as I can share more with you I will!

And then of course there is my guy, Irish artist Pigsy.  

He just never stops.  He has just sold this amaaaazing large piece to a couple in Dublin who I am going to assume have a very big wall and house to showcase it.  It is large in size and large in expression.  "Phoenix Rising" it is called and I just adore it.

And then he also has been working on this fun little commission of a dinosaur head.  

Such a wonderful energy to his work...

"Rex the protector" is a work in progress and I am looking forward to seeing the final piece.

Support Art!

If you would like a piece from Pigsy in YOUR LIFE but your budget doesn't quite align with his :) Then how about a print?  They are available from designyard.ie aaaaaand during these pandemic times if you use the code "SupportArtists" you get 10% off.

And finally! If you have 10 minutes spare sit yourself down with the family and check out this thought invoking, yet feel good little film about Pigsy, some of his struggles in the past, and where he is now.

Featured at the London Irish, Bristol, Galway and Cork film festivals.
Click here to view this award winning documentary film.