Born in the 1960s at the foot of the Slieve Blooms in Deerpark,
Mountrath, Antoinette Breen has been painting all her life.
A gift of paints from her grandmother at age 13 set Antoinette on her journey of capturing wonderful landscapes.
A culmination of many years’ work has resulted in her exhibition ‘Lean into the Mountain’ which will be launched on this Tuesday night, 3 rd July at 6:30pm, in the Art Gallery in Mountmellick Library.
Antoinette draws her inspiration from nature, in particular the great Slieve Blooms where generations of her family have farmed through the years.
One of her exhibition pieces, an acrylic collage titled Knockacollier, was born from memories of her father telling them to look at the Quarry which they could see from their family farm.
“The sun would beam on the quarry surface and we could see it was bathed in a beautiful pink-orange light. We could also feel the vibrations of the blasting which would move outwards towards the mountains,” Antoinette said.
Another piece, The Mallard, is based on her father waiting for the mallard to fly in during the late evening.
“I remember waiting with him, the silence broken only by the flapping of wings and the wild ducks calling to each other,” the artist said.
“Painting allows me to capture and explore the transient nature of light in the mountains through different seasons. When painting I feel grounded and connected with my past and my ancestors.
“I liken the process to a prayer of gratitude for life and family.”
Antoinette spoke of carrying a stone in her pocket to keep her grounded and how she draws strength from her
natural surroundings.
“When you come from a rural background like I did you become equipped from a young age to cope with all that life can throw at you particularly if you have the mountain behind you,” she said.
It is clear that Antoinette’s artistic talents run deep in her veins and she has passed on her creativity to the next generations. Her daughter, Bronwyn Doyle, an established poet, will recite her poem ‘Lean into the Mountain’ at the exhibition which she wrote to compliment her mother’s exhibition.
Her 17-year-old granddaughter Jayden will treat those attending to a song on the night.
The exhibition opens at 6:30pm. Refreshments will be served and music and singing will accompany these wonderful works.
This exhibition, Lean Into the Mountain is on view for the month of July plenty of time to share it with friends and visiting relatives.
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