Laois Chamber CEO, Caroline Hofman, caught up with Laois Chamber member Aileen Donovan, a visual artist based in the county.
Tell us a bit about yourself and how you became a visual artist?
I always loved art and anything creative for years back. When originally doing my Leaving Certificate exams, my plan was to apply to art college but at the time I had no idea what course to apply for.
I looked for advice armed with a portfolio of my work and I was told to forget it, I wasn’t good enough, so that’s exactly what I did.
I put down my paints for nearly 25 years. I still admired other artists works and I loved anything quirky and colourful in particular. A few years ago I came across a picture of a white wicker chair covered in red roses and I can trace my art journey starting over right back to that picture.
I would say it was like flicking a switch and I wanted to know how this was done.
I tracked down the lady who posted the picture, Aileen Hogan, and asked her to show me how she did this. She was a furniture upcycler and she showed me her techniques.
I started upcycling everything that came in front of me, nothing was safe! In the meantime I saw an ad for art classes in the Dunamaise Arts Centre with Caroline Keane, I signed up and was immediately smitten.
My upcycling adventure came to a swift end and my love of art took over. I’ve been painting consistently since.
Where do you get your inspiration for your artwork?
I am inspired by colour and what’s on my mind basically. My youngest son loves the night sky and loves looking at the moon and stars. I realised I was drawn to anything peaceful, quiet but colourful.
During lockdown I started painting trees simply because I live beside Togher Wood and I had a new appreciation of the area.
I’ll admit that despite walking there regularly, I saw it with fresh eyes, the changing of the seasons, light and dark of the paths intertwining, the peace and calm of the woods and I thought perhaps I could translate that feeling on a canvas.
My son also loves butterflies so I regularly paint very colourful butterflies. I literally paint what I feel like myself, what I’d like to see.
If I wake up and feel like painting a pink fluorescent tree that’s what I will paint. I am a huge fan of Gustav Klimt and I love anything ornate, fussy, kind of an out if this world, not run of the mill type paintings.
Can you highlight some recent key achievements/news you can share with us?
One of my biggest achievements was entering Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year. I am not a landscape artist but I painted a picture of the Christmas lights in Abbeyleix last Christmas and one person commented that she loved the landscape.
A few weeks later, I saw an advertisement for the programme and thought I would just apply for it.
I had to submit four paintings for consideration. Last May, I got an email to say thanks but no thanks. I didn’t mind as I had taken a gamble on it, but an hour later I got another email asking if I want to apply to be a wildcard.
I had to apply all over again and this time I was successful. I visited Castle Ward in Northern Ireland last June for my heat.
There were thousands of entries and the competition got whittled down to 348; 48 were contestants that got through the application process and the remaining 300 were wildcards. There were 6 heats in all. At the end of the process the 6 wildcards were whittled down to 1 so there were 9 contestants remaining.
I got no further than my stint as a wildcard up at Castle Ward, but it was the most amazing experience of my life.
I thought I’d be a nervous wreck but I had no nerves on the day and I happily met and chatted to the presenters and the Judges and realised on the day it was a level playing field in that all the contestants were encouraging each other and most of us have stayed in touch since.
I’d apply again in a heartbeat. I’d advise anyone to just go for it and worry about the logistics afterwards.
Where do you exhibit your work, and what has been your proudest moment to date?
I have an ongoing art gallery shop in the Gallic Kitchen, Abbeyleix. I went in there last November when an opportunity fell into my lap very unexpectedly.
My initial plan was to stay until Christmas Eve but I am still there. The shop doubles as a studio. I have exhibited in Abbeyleix Library twice also and hope to do so again. I am also a member of Laois Arthouse Collective.
This is a group of local artists who meet up to discuss ongoing exhibitions, opportunities, collaborations etc. The last group exhibition I was involved in was in the Arthouse, Stradbally where my painting Rewind The Film was exhibited alongside 65 other paintings to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the Arthouse.
The name of the exhibition was ‘In Trust, In Gratitude, In Hope’. My painting features in the accompanying book of the same name. I’ve never been in a book before so this was a huge deal for me.
For any business considering locating in Laois, what would you say are the best things about being located here?
Laois is very central and the road network is fantastic I notice a lot of passing trade where I am in Abbeyleix, which is great so we get a lot of visitors here and there is so much to do in the area.
We have some real gems in county Laois with the unspoiled countryside, fantastic views, young population, great arts community and arts office.
What is the most valuable piece of advice you have been given?
The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is trust your gut instinct. I came to the realisation a while ago that when you get an opportunity just go for it, worry about the if’s, buts, maybe afterwards.
Say yes to everything within reason, you can always change your mind if it’s not suitable or a non -runner. If you really want to do something just go for it, life is too short for regrets. Basically just do it.
Visit www.aileen.ie to view Aileen’s art and to find out more.
Business News
Congratulations to the Cellnex Ireland team captained by Jason Redmond, winners of the Gerry Browne Jewellers Perpetual Cup at the 2022 Laois Chamber Golf Classic which took place on 14th September in The Heritage Golf Resort.
PowerPoint Engineering Limited held their bi-annual Substation Safety Conference & Expo 2022 recently on the 14th and 15th September in the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise, which focused on Legislation, Best Practice, Operator Safety and Equipment Safety.
Ballykilcavan have been award Origin Green Gold Member status for 2022. This Gold Membership is only awarded to companies that have shown exemplary performance in sustainability throughout the year in the Bord Bia backed programme.
The Irish Hotel Awards have awarded The Heritage with a ‘Great Irish Breakfast’ certificate for their “outstanding” breakfast. Well done to all the team.
Huge congratulations to Portland Barbers and their fantastic team who won two top prestigious awards at this years Irish Hair & Beauty Awards.
Yvonne McKeon elected as new chairperson as Laois Chamber and Laois Tourism officially merge.
Business Supports
Are you an SME or primary producer looking to invest in energy efficiency? SBCI has an Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme (EELS) to help you reduce carbon emissions by investing in energy–saving measures. Use it to fund energy efficiency assets. More at https://sbci.gov.ie/products/energy-efficiency-loan-scheme-eels
Interested in how you can use drones for your farm processes? Check out this short clip https://youtu.be/UYtEPPbMg30 Learn about more on how to use technology like this through Bloom HQ’s Drone workshops. Contact digitalinnovation@bloomhq.ie or niallkelly@cubecentre.ie
Is your Laois Business is looking for premises? The #Portlaoise Vacant Commercial Property Incentive Scheme could help. It incentivises the use of local vacant premises by lowering entry costs through grants and supports. Find out more at: https://bit.ly/PortLVACANT
Are you a Laois female entrepreneur? Heard of ACORNS? They are looking for 50 new female entrepreneurs to support in this free initiative which will run from October to April 2023. The deadline for applications is September 23rd. Visit www.acorns.ie
What’s Coming Up?
The National Ploughing Championships will be taking place in Ratheniska, Co. Laois, from the 20th to 22nd September. The Laois tent is located at Block 2 Row 18, Stand 292.
Laois Chamber’s September Networking Event will be taking place on Thursday, 29th September from 8.30am to 9.30am in The Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise. Join us for networking and tea/coffee. We will be joined by David Pyne of Gas Networks Ireland, who will talk about their Vision 2050 and the future of energy. All welcome to attend but registration essential. Please e-mail info@laoischamber.ie to register.
How will Budget 2023 impact your business? Register to attend the Breakfast Briefing with Laois Chamber in association with ND Audit and Advisory on Wednesday 28th September from 8am to 9.30am, in Mulhall’s Restaurant, Lyster Square Portlaoise. Booking is essential, register here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/budget-2023-breakfast-briefing-with-nd-audit-advisory-tickets-408705437967
Save the date! The Inaugural Laois Business Awards will be taking place on Friday, 4th November 2022 in The Heritage, Killenard, celebrating Laois. Tickets are available from info@laoischamber.ie and are priced at €95 each or €800 for a table of 10. Tickets include drinks reception, gala dinner and awards ceremony, and entertainment late into the night.
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