I spent a fruitful 2 weeks in lovely Ireland in a festival called Art in the Open which takes place in Ireland every summer. In its 10th year running, the 8 day programme took us to several spectacular sights and locations in south east of Ireland, specifically in the county of Wexford. I made many, many new friends, and also met friends I haven't seen in over a year! What a joy it was to be there, reminding me that I am not alone in my painting quest.
In the words of fellow painter Louise Treacy: "Aren’t we really lucky to be out here in nature looking at this? Painting and representing it in our little happy place?"
I was invited to give a workshop on Urban Sketching at the local library, attended by 70 over people. It was the first of its kind and many were grateful that the whole sketching thing finally took off. My hopes that the sketching spirit keeps going for the next 11 months - until the next Art in the Open.
Being the only South East Asian in the festival has its perks. I can be spotted a mile away. After being interviewed live on South East Radio's Morning Mix with Alan Corcoran, the locals who saw me painting on the streets, would walk up to me and say, "Aren't you the guy from Singapore?" or "I heard you over the radio, welcome to Ireland!" This is just scratching the surface of how hospitable the locals can be. Thank you, Wexford!
Sketching Premier's Fish and Chips from Burgler Doyles Bar
Sketching inside my favourite art store in Wexford
Paint out at the Woodville House in New Ross
I sold this piece from Kilmore Quay
Met Aussie painter Leon Holmes and
learnt a thing or two about self-made easel boxes
Dylan with his personalised Rosemary brushes
Us having ice cream with Brendan Howlin
Carlos, Antti and Mish
Sold to Kelly's Deli
With Bill Kelly and his daughter. Thank you for stopping by!
Truly humbled that this piece was bought by the County Council of Wexford
Won the O'Brien Award for this Quick Draw piece
This is Sadhbh ('Sive') - the artist who won the sketching contest.
Watch out for her, Wexford!
With Roger Dellar
I met Van Gogh! John Moriarty taught me how
to fly a drone within minutes.
We all studied in Florence! :)
I spent a lot of time documenting and putting together the sights and sounds of the entire event.
Here are the videos links for Art in the Open 2017. Enjoy and share!
Day 1 - Wexford Town https://youtu.be/C_5vfwfUKB8
Day 2 - Woodville House https://youtu.be/_iupWwrkToY
Day 3 - Kilmore Quay https://youtu.be/191ujGBmIaE
Day 4 - Enniscorthy https://youtu.be/7nxw5QEmzDU
Day 5 - Rosslare https://youtu.be/sWkxrssBCig
Day 6 - Hook Head https://youtu.be/yONTV1VXVO4
Day 7 - Quick Draw https://youtu.be/Hdg0O5KaAT4
Day 8 - Exhibition https://youtu.be/ZND8S55RiWs
Day 8 - Gala Dinner https://youtu.be/4udMbcV1xMU
