March 2018 has brought snow, ice and wind, lots of things we are really not used to here in Ireland, its been wild and disruptive and a time for reflection and looking at things in a different way.  I had a similar experience in February but it was not a weather event, it was an Artists Residency in the beautiful Cow House Studios, Rathnure, Co Wexford in the foothills of the Blackstairs mountains..... It was also artistically wild, disruptive and a time for reflection - and got me thinking about lots of things in a different way.  What a great experience I had as a guest of the wonderful Rosie O Gorman and Frank Abruzzese, both artists who have created a haven for fellow artists on the OGorman family farm which has been in the family for 250 years.  The old Cow house has been converted into several studios and the barn has become very nice accommodation.  Myself and the three other international artists were looked after and fed wonderful healthy organic meals by Catriona who is their full time chef, so we were free to create and discuss and create some more.  Having a large  well equipped studio also helps to incubate new ideas in a new space, and I have lots of new ideas now which I will be working on over the next year or so.   It was a great honour to be selected for the residency and I look forward to going there again in the future.
I made a daily diary of my walks in response to the local roads and hedgerows which got me thinking about all the other walks and happenings that have been on those roads over the years..... leave it with me for now and lets see what comes to the surface.  
So here are some of the drawings, follow me on Instagram DeniseFrenchArtist to keep up to date with my new work and news of upcoming exhibitions.

 
Since my really well received solo exhibition last Christmas I have been working away preparing new work and looking for new venues where you can come to see my work.  I am delighted to tell you that I have an exhibition currently running at The Grapevine Gallery in Dalkey.   The Grapevine is a lovely wine bar and wine shop on the main street in the heart of this lovely heritage town.  Its a great spot to while away an afternoon over a cheeseboard and a glass of wine, or two!
 
Continuing on the same theme – me and wine - Greenacres Gallery, Wine Shop and Restaurant in the centre of Wexford town did a great job for me last summer and they had lots of visitors and lots of sales in their summer exhibition featuring about 30 Irish artists, both painters and sculptors. 
The world famous Opera Festival is held in Wexford town every October and Greenacres hold a wonderful annual exhibition to coincide with the festival. There has been a great response again this year to the Art in Greenacres and there are many other exhibitions on around the town.
Do drop in if you are in the Sunny South East.
 
I hope you get a chance to visit one of these shows, you can also keep an eye on my new works on my website or social media pages.  
Click on the buttons below to bring you directly to my website, FB and Instagram pages, and while you are there remember to "Like" or "Follow" so that you can keep up to date with my new works as they appear.

You can also contact me directly if you have any enquiries or questions please email denise@denisefrench.net 
I will be updating the website from time to time with new works but if you see anything on Social Media which you would like to treat yourself to please contact me directly.
 
In other news I have a solo exhibition coming up next June 2018 at Signal Arts Centre in Bray so keep a look out for more details of that coming soon.

Wishing you all the best this Autumn,
Denise

Glorious summer sunshine today in Dalkey and I am inspired to get painting, but first I want to introduce myself to you.  I live and work near the sea in South Dublin, I love to visit the west coast of France and all parts of Ireland so it is mostly these landscapes which inspire my work.  

When I start painting or drawing on any given day I don't have a set idea of what the painting will turn out like, If I have a specific location in mind then I do research and take photos, make some drawings, and then just see what comes onto the page.  The drawings usually evolve over time and again are very instinctive, they either work or they don't.  If something doesn't work then it doesn't survive long...... it gets put in the bold corner to be painted over at a later date!!

For as long as I can remember I wanted to paint and to draw..... as a kid I was always making stuff and experimenting with bits and peices of whatever was to hand.  My mum was always doing crafts in the garage which she sold at markets; christmas logs, wreaths, dried flower arrangements ....and we got to help, so I suppose its in my bones!
Then I grew up, worked, travelled, had three lovely kids, had lots of fun, enjoyed life...... and started to paint and make again with the children.
I managed (eventually) to go to college and I got a Visual Arts Practice degree from IADT Dun Laoghiare...challenging, interesting, great fun... me and all the 20 year olds!
I had a solo exhibition in 2006 when I graduated - what a fantastic buzz, sold almost everything.   I have been involved with the Dun Laoghaire Art Gallery over the past 4 years and had my second solo exhibition there in December 2016 - again a fantastic response and loads of sales!!
So thats me, I hope you enjoy my work, please respond to the blog if you feel like it and you can also follow Dalkey Art Studio on FB and TW.
Currently my work is on show in the beautiful Greenacres Art Gallery in Wexford where you will also find a fab wine shop, deli and Restaurant. I can also be found at the new Gallery in Dalkey upstairs in the Grapevine wine bar on Castle Street.