Laois artist's exhibition is a ‘Palette of Possibilities’
Michael Hogan, Kitty Walsh, Breda Culleton, Mary Burke and John Burke
AN AMAZING collection of 19 oil paintings that seem to jump from their canvases was launched in the Gallery of Divine Inspiration at Bloom HQ in Mountrath by local artist Breda Culleton.
Close to 100 people attended the launch of Breda’s first solo art show titled , and people snapped up almost half of the talented artist’s striking works on opening night.
Speaking to the before the launch, Breda said she has been painting since she was a child.
She said: “I came from a small rural farm at the foot of the Sliabh Blooms in Killinure. I started painting when I was seven or eight. I used to go across the field to a girl called Sandra Chambers who painted in oils. I was always fascinated by the colours on her hands and the smell of turpentine.
“Sandra used to allow me to paint with her oils and she became a famous painter in London. She passed away about a year-and-a-half ago, Lord have mercy on her.
“I painted in school throughout the years here in Mountrath and my art teacher was called Mary Stokes. When I was fourteen, I won a Laois child art competition. My prize was a box of oil paints. I was delighted to have oils of my own to paint with.
“I worked in the pharmacy in Mountrath for over 20 years and then I moved to a pharmacy in Tullamore where I met a girl called Paula Furlong. Paula encouraged me to get back painting about fifteen to twenty years ago.
“While sitting around her kitchen table she told me that the colour yellow ochre would become my best friend, and it has. From there, she encouraged me to go to art classes with an artist called Olive Cuskelly in the Green Haven Studio in Daingean in Offaly. I go to Olive for three hours every week. Her paintings are in collections all over the world.
“I love to paint flowers. My husband Mick and brother-in-law Michael Hogan are great photographers so sometimes I get lovely photographs from them to paint.” Music was provided by members of Camross Comhaltas with Shóna Nevin on fiddle, Conall Nevin on accordion, and Polly Nolan on piano. A wide selection of snacks, nibbles and refreshments were also served.
Kevin McCann is the curator of the Gallery of Divine Inspiration at Bloom HQ and Breda’s exhibition marks the twenty-fifth monthly show since the gallery launched.
In his traditional manner he banged his gong (which is the lid of the Burco) with a spoon to get everyone’s attention for Breda to say a few words. Kevin thanked the Brigidine nuns for giving the convent to the community and Breda for “giving us such a wonderful exhibition.” He said: “I haven’t known Breda that long but having seen her works she is a fabulous painter.” He also added that: “she bakes really good cakes as well!” Breda thanked everyone for attending, her family, friends, fellow artists, musicians, the Brigidine nuns and everyone who has been involved in her art journey along the way.
The exhibition can be viewed for the month of October at Bloom HQ, and the artist can be found on Facebook and Instagram by searching Clondrim Artstudio. Enquiries to Breda on 087 9860263.
