INNOCENCE: watercolours

INNOCENCE: A series of 40 experimental large scale watercolours (152 x 122 cm/ 5’ x 4’) that followed the CLOSER series. They emerged as an adapted physical form of calligraphy during after an extended period of study of Tai Ji with Chungliang Al Huang and others in the USA. They were made at the same time as the first TRUCKSCAPES were being made in the late 1990’s with a strong external focus, as part of the attempt to find a way to respond physically to the visual stimulation of nature, but, derived from a more internal energetic response to the subject. The INNOCENCE series were made from the model, from life; working with just a few sitters they focus on both male and female presence end energy in terms of figure and portrait. Selected works form the series were shown in FIGURE TO GROUND at the RHA alongside the first Truckscapes and Closer drawings and also in CHEN + MILLER : EAST - WEST in 2002 at the Model in Sligo which was the culmination of a long period of learning around Eastern thought in relation to the ‘practice’ of painting. The single stroke circular form, the first act of the sitting, defines a practice space in which the meeting takes place, without concern for result.
INNOCENCE- Large scale figurative and calligraphic watercolours
INNOCENCE: Selected works and documenation
My Image
INNOCENCE: documentary

Selected images documentary images from source study and studio practice in relation to calligraphy and the Innocence series


Study with the Chungliang Al Huang at the Living Tao Foundation, Urbana, Illanois (1998) Gold Beach, Oregon (2000), studio photos from Kilmactranny, Co Sligo

INNOCENCE - female forms
INNOCENCE: Selected female forms

Selected watercolours all 152 x 122 cm /5’ x 4’ made from the life- focusing on the female form. Kilmactranny Studio 1990-2000


Exhibited: Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin (1999): Thinking Drawing (curated by Patrick Murphy) ; Model Arts & Niland Gallery, Sligo (2002): Chen+Miller ; East-west. Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin (2003): Figure to Ground (solo)

INNOCENCE- Male form
INNOCENCE: Selected Male forms

Selected watercolours all 152 x 122 cm /5’ x 4’ made from the life- focusing on the female form. Kilmactranny Studio 1990-2000.


Exhibited: Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin (1999): Thinking Drawing (curated by Patrick Murphy) ; Model Arts & Niland Gallery, Sligo (2002): Chen+Miller ; East-west. Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin (2003): Figure to Ground (solo))

INNOCENCE: links

Selected press
Irish Times (pdf). Miriam Donohue (2002)
The Sunday Tribune (pdf) Marianne Hartigan 28/4/02
Irish Arts Review(pdf) Interview (Summer 2015)