RDH: MARCH 2023

April 01, 2023 in art, art studio, contemporary art, drawing, northern ireland, painting, reflective diary post, visual art, work in progress

01/03/23

Hunter / Gatherer Mode: Night Two

05/03/23

Studio - a long needed clean-up and great to get going with paints again.

Working on larger-than-life hands - a teacher once told us that if you can draw hands, you can draw anything. This is whirling around in my head today as I tackle these.

08/03/23

…not selected. A little disheartening but onwards and upwards.

12/03/23

Back has hindered any studio time this weekend.

…well Sunday night took a turn for the weird. Trip in ambulance to hospital. Struggled to breathe. Long story short: X-Ray clear, CT Scan clear but blood tests abnormal.

A few days rest needed.

15/03/23

Sketchbook work.

Want to utilise time better.

18/03/23

GRAND SLAM!

19/03/23

Some really substantial progress today on “Boy Soldier”. A balancing act as always.

27/03/23

What a year it’s been! Happy Birthday to our little girl, Imogen.

29/03/23

List of drawings that have ‘slipped’ through the net…

20+ images that have popped out this time around. There’s potential for further progress here. Strange how on another day of sifting through past work a separate set of images could jump out.

The brain is an odd critter.

RDH: DECEMBER 2022

January 08, 2023 in artist, art, art studio, contemporary art, northern ireland, reflective diary post, visual art, work in progress, painting

02/12/22

Wardell Milan - Louisiana Channel

Sketchbook work - it’s been way too long!

03/12/22

Quick studio time…

… as suspected, it didn’t take much to get last two paintings of the year over the line. Still aiming to keep the (well, less is more is a little inaccurate) “Stop before I think I should” mentality.

Definitely less misses with this strategy.

08/12/22

‘New Exits: 10 Years of Painting’ opening at the MAC. Excellent show. Daniel Coleman’s painting ‘The House Down the Lane’ is absolutely stunning. It moved me to tears. A real stand out from a strong group show.

11/12/22

Freezing in the studio.

Drew up two small works (having a crack at the ‘Jaws’ image again - with a slightly altered composition) and have set up to take a look at a couple of pieces that have fallen through the cracks recently.

‘Street Walker’ and ‘Laughing Man’ (working titles).

17/12/22

Wood is for the living, stone for the dead.

Said farewell to GT’s reading round. It’s been such a boost having this weekly outlet of chatting, sharing ideas and making connections. Had a great run!

Stream of admin this evening.

18/12/22

“Tomorrow is Saturday” - Interesting documentary on Sean Hillen.

28/12/22

Studio time. **“The Week in Art: 2022 in review” podcast**.

Blocking in on the small piece. ‘Man looking in his pocket while descending the stairs’ or ‘Looking for keys’ OR ‘Check your pocket’.

29/12/22

Newcastle.

30/12/22

Penultimate day of the year. admin and prep before a few hours in the studio!

For the time of the year that it is, I find myself in a bit of a reflective and thankful mood. 2022 has been good to me.

Collaborative residency and exhibition with Catalyst.
Work shown at the Boyle Arts Festival, Roscommon.
Part of the Royal Ulster Academy Exhibition in the Ulster Museum, Belfast.
Gave a talk with Basic Space Dublin in the Hugh Lane Gallery.
And most importantly, became a father!

There have been losses also. People who have impacted our lives that have moved on, but their imprint will remain.

So much to be thankful for, a loving family, the support of friends and loved ones during the highs and lows. Also, to those who took a chance on my work, who invited me to be a part of their projects:

THANK YOU!

RDH: NOVEMBER 2022

December 11, 2022 in art, art studio, contemporary art, reflective diary post, work in progress, visual art

05/11/22

Art and Ecology Podcast.

Studio Time with an assistant!

08/11/22

Painting in RUA has SOLD!

11/11/22

It all adds up.

12/11/22

“You know in the back of your own mind if criticism holds any merit for yourself.”

13/11/22

Studio time - short but sweet stint today. Good progress on three pieces. A little too on the nose in some areas but very productive otherwise.

17/11/22

VAI Get Together day 2. Highlight was listening to Samir Mahmood talk about his practice.

19/11/22

Progress on “Feeling Stretched” and “Red Lines”. Getting there. Colour choices needing a tweak though.

20/11/22

Belfast trip with the family. Ulster Museum - Renaissance to Romanticism. Brueghel the Younger pieces very good and the Goya portrait on display is a special painting.

Great to get up with Jan and Imogen to see the RUA again.

26/11/22

Shocked and saddened to hear of Hugh O’Donnell’s passing. I got to know Hugh in applying for funding in 2018 and again in the run up to my solo show in Atypical in 2020.

Hugh was always so kind with his time - having a studio visit beforehand and his feedback and insight during the install was a dream. Hugh was a real presence and his life blessed all who spent time with him. Rest in Piece Hugh.

30/11/22

Priorities shifted about.

RDH: OCTOBER 2022

November 09, 2022 in art, art studio, artist, contemporary art, drawing, exhibition, painting, reflective diary post, visual art, work in progress

02/10/22

#Mousegate

Strange events

08/10/22

…notes complete. Need refined for easy consumption.

13/10/22

Crowd at opening of RUA in the Ulster Museum

Craig Donald's winning portrait: "Marinus van der Lubbe"

Alana Barton with her painting "Faeries".

Pictured alongside "Girl with Red Hair"

Royal Ulster Academy opening. Craig Donald won an award for best portrait! A great night all round and chuffed to see my little painting up on the wall with some wonderful artists.

14/10/22

Early start. Perhaps the X in X4 stands for extra-long.

The Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin

Works In Progress Space in the Hugh Lane

Mid Presentation

"O, To have a little house" by Michelle Malone at the LAB Gallery

Talk in the Hugh Lane couldn’t have gone any better. Pleased with the reaction and feedback from everyone and profoundly grateful to Basic Space for the opportunity to speak.

15/10/22

**‘A Brush With… William Kentridge’.**

charcoal - the indeterminacy of the point.

… at the edge of meaning.

“Give an image the benefit of the doubt… there is a danger in certainty.”
William Kentridge.

21/10/22

NB: Melancholic apostle image interesting.

22/10/22

World of proximities.

23/10/22

26/10/22

David Lynch “The Art Life” - documentary

27/10/22

“The Art Spirit” by Robert Henri

30/10/22

“Cherish your own emotions and never under value them”
Robert Henri

RDH: SEPTEMBER 2022

October 10, 2022 in art, art studio, contemporary art, reflective diary post, visual art

03/09/22

Sketchbook work

06/09/22

A rough few days culminating in both houses testing positive for covid.

13/09/22

17/09/22

Still positive. Studio time but not feeling great to stay too long but it’s important to be in.

18/09/22

Weird. Lack of drive. Putting elements of practice off too easily - by the same token I may be a little too harsh on myself as I’m still getting over being sick.

Life and Art are (hopefully) a long game.

24/09/22

Surprise purchase.

Studio time. “Four of Five” finished.

RDH: AUGUST 2022

September 02, 2022 in art, art studio, contemporary art, artist, drawing, exhibition, northern ireland, painting, reflective diary post, visual art, work in progress

02/08/22

Getting a little anxious as word gets closer…

03/08/22

“Girl with Red Hair” has been preselected!

07/08/22

Work dropped off to the RUA.

Visit to the MAC for Ron Mueck exhibition.

14/08/22

15/08/22

Can’t just be sitting around waiting…

Some sketchbook work started.

16/08/22

Drawings finished up from yesterday. Studio time now and some painting with the niece.

GOT INTO THE RUA SHOW!

17/08/22

**‘A Brush With … Lina Iris Viktor’**

“I think using a limited palette gives you more freedom.”
L.I.V.

Another layer on ‘lovers’ piece and a clean palette needed.

18/08/22

One Year!

20/08/22

Studio. Bit of burning on “Catherine Study”.

21/08/22

Good progress on “A Lovers’ Harvest”… man’s face works and doesn’t at the same time. Need to come back with fresh eyes.

There are aspects about “A.L.H.” I need to jot down:

Fracture
Loss vs Hope
Memento Mori / Passing of the Seasons

27/08/22

**Adam Pendelton on “A Brush With…”**: “Masks conceal and evoke.”

Studio time: Grass - too much? Go lighter? Lovers - more sculpting? Background - more solidity?

A lot more questions than answers at the minute. Less writing, more doing. Retrospective analysis is much more succinct and compelling (?)

PTO…

Although, in hindsight, creating a short, concise list of things to look at, attempt / rectify seems to pay off more often than not.

“A Lovers’ Harvest” finished.

31/08/22

Submitted… finger’s crossed.

Never far from thoughts.

RDH: JULY 2022

August 03, 2022 in art, art studio, artist, contemporary art, drawing, painting, reflective diary post, visual art, northern ireland

02/07/22

Studio - moth wings getting there. .. dusty. Struggling with top colour. Tried green and purple. White is too close to the magpie moth tones.

Little studio buddy today

'Mothman' detail

03/07/22

In my own head yet again. This time it feels vastly different. Other concerns are taking precedent and pushing issues into the background. This is never a final solution I know but it is positive that mindset has altered accordingly.

More progress to ‘Mothman’ this evening.

08/07/22

“The artist has to put before the eyes of the public forms and poses which has existed previously in the darkness and confusion of an irrational mind, or one which is beset by uncontrolled passion.”
Goya

10/07/22

13/07/22

Sad to be missing the opening of the Boyle Arts festival tonight.

view at King's House, Boyle - image courtesy Daniel Coleman

Sketchbook work instead.

14/07/22

Asked to give a talk. Delighted.

16/07/22

Nearly fell asleep. Not a good start.

Studio - at a bit of a crossroads. This along with paints needing freshening up is why I’ll focus on drawing up new canvas / boards.

17/07/22

Studio again.

It’s so strange. Things are so good at the moment. Just… negative voices. Popping in and wearing down. Keep active mentally. Support system. Breathe.

18/07/22

When a lead weight is released, you float and rise. Getting there.

‘Mothman’ finished. Trying to stick to the less is more philosophy.

19/07/22

D.T.M.

20/07/22

Sketchbook work.

21/07/22

Short but very sweet stint in the studio. A good start on three pieces.

22/07/22

Ulster Museum trip with my girls!

Stuart Calvin’s show in Atypical is excellent and heartfelt. The Alexandra Lethbridge exhibition in the GoldenThread is worth seeing.

Stuart Calvin in Atypical Gallery

Alexandra Lethbridge in GoldenThread

23/07/22

Small progress in the studio. Hair in little portrait piece turned out way better than I thought it would. Best off leaving it alone!

30/07/22

‘Who Threw That?’ finished.

I think sometimes taking a risk can be as simple as not putting a mark down at all.

31/07/22

Compliments can’t be the ‘be all and end all’.

RDH: JUNE 2022

July 06, 2022 in art, art studio, artist, drawing, painting, northern ireland, reflective diary post, work in progress, visual art

04/06/22

Studio. ‘Mothman’ finally being looked at after several years of hibernation.

Also, a surprise grasp on a 2020 sketch, ‘Peek-A-Boo’. Tall thin canvas has gone muddy.

05/06/22

Small magpie moth - colours?

One for sorrow. Fitting for a self-reflective piece about anxiety relief measures.

07/06/22

Postcard. visual feedback or [illegible].

08/06/22

The Odd inclination vs the Even inclination.

‘From the Creek Billy thought gleefully of the Ten-Foot Lady and the time her only decent leg fell and ended up on the wrong side of Belfast.’

PAULA REGO: 1935-2022

An absolute powerhouse, unashamedly honest artist whose work will resonate for generations to come.

**“*Dog Woman*”** Paula Rego 1994 Pastel on Canvas

11/06/22

Can you distill the feeling of an image with another or via another form of communication?

C.C.

12/06/22

Fast studio session. Some tonal values layered.

14/06/22

Went to sketch. Didn’t happen.

18/06/22

Darker red/brown in shadow? Little finger slightly bulbous under the nail and looks too long but it checks out in the source material and subsequent sketch from it.

Is it finished? The age-old question. The risk of overpainting is high. Should rest on it for a while.

21/06/22

Sketchbook work on the longest day of the year.

25/06/22

Whistle stop visit to Belfast today. Dropping ‘Saint and Sinner’ into RUA for delivery to the Boyle Arts Festival 2022. Also took a quick peek into the MAC to see Claire Barclay: Thrum. Interesting scaling of otherwise ordinary day objects/materials - allowing the viewer to reassess their relationship to them and their place(s of origin).

Claire Barclay: Thrum in the MAC Belfast

26/06/22

Less really is more. ‘Peek-A-Boo’ finished. The hand finally belongs to the face and the origin of the disc’s hue stems from a background colour within the hair. Tying up loose ends.

RDH: MAY 2022

June 03, 2022 in art, contemporary art, drawing, reflective diary post, visual art, painting, work in progress

05/05/22

… a week of lists.

07/05/22

Sign and date everything!

Studio - listening to a Philip Guston podcast takes its toll.

19/05/22

21/05/22

“I.t.P.” - some areas making progress, others are regressing. Background is quieter but the figure in the water still has a lot to be desired. Over-worked in parts and too illustrative.

“Distill expression down to it’s pourest form.”
Patrick Graham

23/05/22

Applied.

26/05/22

Selected to be a part of the 2022 Boyle Arts Festival.

27/05/22

28/05/22

Today took a turn. So Scary.

31/05/22

Bugs, parasites, critters - incorporation?

RDH: APRIL 2022

May 06, 2022 in art, art studio, contemporary art, drawing, northern ireland, painting, podcast, reflective diary post, visual art, work in progress

01/04/22

First bath.

02/04/22

…only to have the computer crash.

06/04/22

The best of intentions.

07/04/22

Sketchbook work. Blowing off the cobwebs.

08/04/22

Great to meet a good friend for a coffee and a chat.

10/04/22

14/04/22

Need to find a centre ground in practice. It’s been an amazing 18 days with the beginnings of family life.

Red Head Redemption?

16/04/22

Nari Ward on ‘A Brush With’

“Chance is a material.” - N.W.

Really pleased with how ‘Girl with Red Hair’ turned out. Little bit of ogham incorporated into the sleeve - hangover from the Catalyst residency? No bad thing.

18/04/22

Delegate. Divide (time) and Conquer.

23/04/22

Just seen EMIC on **‘The Art that Made Us’** on BBC.

Incredible! So delighted for EMIC. What a platform and in such amazing company!

24/04/22

Some good movement in the studio today. There does seem to be a struggle with imagery at the minute. Solution: back to the drawing board. Literally. Setting time aside for drawing will help no end.

One Month old!

28/04/22

Sketchbook work tonight. Limited but worthwhile.

30/04/22

Little comparison to W.C. Honoured.

Studio time. “In the Pond” is getting there but need to be careful not to over paint.

…some interest in a selection process?

RDH: MARCH 2022

April 02, 2022 in art, art studio, contemporary art, exhibition, painting, reflective diary post, visual art, work in progress

01/03/22

So pleased to have been asked to contribute in the latest issue of **Visual Artists Ireland News Sheet**.

Meteorological Spring is here.

Nice to catch up with the Ogham crew again.

02/03/22

Loose drawing in response to J.A.’s prompt and RMc’s drawings.

03/03/22

…done now…

05/03/22

Belfast. ‘Don’t Look’ piece is done I think.

Smooth out the dog / red?
New piece / Loosey Goosey

* LOOK AT WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE SPACE! *

Nearly ruined ‘Ode’ piece with a flood of red. Hopefully brought it back.

06/03/22

Didn’t stray too far.

07/03/22

Really good chat with writer for ‘Ogham’.

08/03/22

It’s never going to be finished!

12/03/22

Final day of ‘Ogham’ residency.

Painted me wee heart out, finishing two larger pieces and having some fun with the smaller study of Stephanie Tanney’s casts.

Wet walk home.

13/03/22

A slight onset of melancholia creeping up now that the residency is over. But, the show is still to come!

15/03/22

A process of threads?

All of this is temporary?

A pause in the process?

Settling of the sands?

THIS IS NOT THE END

17/03/22

Exhibition open to the public today.

20/03/22

Louise Bourgeois - “A spider creates from it’s own body.”

Pregnant with atmosphere, enigma.

Great to get painting in garage today and get palette cleaned up.

27/03/22

Imogen Rhonda Kielt, born in the early hours of Mother’s Day. 7lbs 6oz. Perfect and everyone well.

Can see so many loved ones’ faces in this tiny new one. It’s just incredible.

29/03/22

Working to find a rhythm.

31/03/22

Belfast Bound. Helped add some chalk to Joy’s Entry for Rachel Macmanus’ superb performance. So good to see the show in the flesh blown and all involved in the project at Catalyst Arts.

It’s been a great experience at a time I will never forget.

RDH: FEBRUARY 2022

March 03, 2022 in drawing, contemporary art, art, art studio, artist, exhibition, northern ireland, online talk, painting, reflective diary post, visual art, work in progress

01/02/22

Daft Punk Live - Alive. Frantic.

Sketch with music on in the background. No Show and Tell, just Tell.

05/02/22

4,000 weeks. Poetics of space.

Great to meet up with J.A. and S.T and to see Catalyst’s new space.

Edy Fung in the GT Gallery

Ronnie Hughes in the MAC

Quick jaunt to the GT and to the MAC in the morning. Edy Fung’s and Ronnie Hughes’ work were great! Hughes’ translucent layers of paint suck you in and grab hold. Shimmering colour clashes.

Head is buzzing with ideas. Exciting!

06/02/22

*Mary Beard’s Forbidden Art**. -* Pan and the She-Goat.

Daphne Todd - painted recently dead mother.

“Violence will always be a part of the human experience.”
Mary Beard

It’s been an odd weekend. Great but odd.

Ideas are starting to be slid into place about how ‘Ogham’ will be approached. Churning away so keep faith.

It’s been a limbo sort of a day. Feeling the need to do SOMETHING - but not being able to find the energy.

Reading, research, drawing, responding.

Readymade… Domestic

So, actually I retract the ‘limbo’ statement. I did do things today. I was productive. It’s just there wasn’t any tangible outcome. Case and point… 7th page.

07/02/22

Sketchbook with Daft Punk on - upping the tempo.

08/02/22

Fabric search.

Carving out ideas. Scrap yard.

09/02/22

H.B.M. Looking forward to getting into the garage this weekend.

Let’s give it a goo!

12/02/22

Aoife Dunn - IMMA: Socially engaging sculpture.

May have slipped a disc. Acetate sketches.

SUN - MOON - HOME

14/02/22

Image sorting today.

16/02/22

Meeting. Repetition and extremities. Develop and evolve.

17/02/22

J.A. Studio Visit!

19/02/22

Studio time! Finally! Using just titanium white and charcoal - both willow and compressed - to work up images. Going back to my process’ roots - year 2 in art college. Two new works started.

22/02/22

‘Ogham’ has begun. Dog study - black dog. Great to see what S.T. is doing in the space and Rachel’s response.

SLOW AND LOW SHOOTING STAR.

24/02/22

Snow! Appointment done.

25/02/22

Belfast bound. Scared guide dog on the 212.

Great to get into the space at Catalyst and set up for the next two days. Began working on two pieces. ‘Don't Look’ in ogham.

Set up of 'Ogham' Residency in Catalyst Arts

Cast of my mouth by Stephanie Tanney

The fourth wall is glass. Casting of mouth by S.T. Reminds me of ‘Red Dragon’ from the SotL prequel of the same name.

26/02/22

Day two in the space. Time is not our friend but still have to remind ourselves that there’s no end goal needed. Just to respond and be creatively present.

So good to meet Rachel and see Steph’s process in the flesh.

My 'ogham studio' in Catalyst Arts

Two Works in Progress

Artist Rachel MacManus working in Catalyst Arts

Panorama of 'Ogham' residency set up

"An Ode to Black Dog" Painting in Progress

N.P.

28/02/22

‘Offsite’ chats with Catalyst! Refreshing.

RDH: JANUARY 2022

February 03, 2022 in art, art studio, contemporary art, drawing, painting, reflective diary post

03/01/22

Paranoic Critical Method - Dalí

08/01/22

Studio.

Starting two pieces. Smoky feel in a cold studio.

16/01/22

Short but interesting stint in the studio. Peaks and troughs with little P.P.E. piece.

Heaven is a half pipe.

22/01/22

Another Saturday not in the studio but will make up for it tomorrow.

Serial Works: Paintings in a series - leaves out imagination?

23/01/22

“A New Normal” finished.

Different disciplinary artists working together! It’s happening!

24/01/22

Head is buzzing with ideas. Renewal.

25/01/22

Home / Displacement

Urgency

27/01/22

Some fun reacting to S.T.’s drawings.

29/01/22

The Loup. Kept in the…

30/01/22

Day and Date. A dark day remembered.

The Chameleon lays in wait,
Knuckles pressed white on the oak armrests.
There you’ll find an empty place at the table.
Under the fire’s amber glow,
Home is where the hearth is.

31/01/22

H.B.A. You are always missed.

Felt good to get some sketchbook work done tonight.

RDH: DECEMBER 2021

December 31, 2021 in art, art studio, reflective diary post, work in progress, painting, visual art, northern ireland

01/12/21

OMG! ARRAY have only gone and won the Turner!

Amazing!

02/12/21

Make the most of tomorrow.

03/12/21

Sadly just a short stint in the studio.

05/12/21

“Infant Terrible” finished. - Less is more.

09/12/21

Dire.

14/12/21

Tinnitus - bit of a surprise.

Great to finally see John Rainey’s ‘SLIP TANK’ in the Naughton Gallery today. Hands down, the best sculptor in the North.

15/12/21

“The impulse to discover and re-contextualise rather than to generate a picture reintroduces questions of intention. Why did they pick that? What did they do to it? To what end?”
‘World of Art: Contemporary Painting’ by Suzanne Hudson