Laois artist's vibrant paintings are inspired by home and family
Artist and art tutor Mary Slevin pictured with some of her exhibition pieces at her launch in Mountrath
A WONDERFUL display of vibrant paintings by Mary Slevin from Mount Henry, Killenard was launched recently in The Gallery of Divine Inspiration at Bloom HQ, Mountrath.
The attendance on opening night included Mary’s family members and many of her friends. Lots of fellow artists and art lovers were also there and all were keenly studying the paintings as Mary spoke about their locations.
Speaking to the at the launch, Mary said she was interested in art as a child but didn’t go down that road. “There wasn’t much to offer in the art area back then, so I went off and got an office job and worked in that for years. I’m originally from Kilkenny and I married Christy about 35 years ago and moved here to Laois. When the recession came around 2007, I found myself not working so I decided to go to Abbeyleix to the Further Education Centre and I studied art there for two years. At the time, I had four kids who were all college age, so I didn’t go any further, but I didn’t want to give it up because I loved it. It was brilliant and it really warmed me, and I found myself again.
“In 2014, I converted one of our sheds into an art studio and set that up. I continued my education as best as I could and did master classes and courses to improve my painting skills. I started doing workshops with kids and moved into working in the area of teaching art to those with special needs.” Mary likes to use oils and acrylics, and she also likes to bring stitching into some of her pieces.
Continuing, Mary said: “My paintings are very much centred around home and family. Our farm is near The Heritage Hotel and Mount St Anne’s and there are beautiful landscape scenes to paint around our area. If I see a scene that I want to paint, I like to sit and get a sketch of it, or paint on the spot, where possible, or to take a picture and work on it in the studio.” There is a great variety of paintings in Mary’s exhibition, including scenes from a painting festival in Wexford each July that Mary takes part.
Commenting on Mary’s work, curator of The Gallery of Divine Inspiration Kevin McCann said: “Mary is what you would call a stalwart of the arts in Laois. She’s always there and she does bits of everything. Mary is a really good painter and she has her own unique style and produces very nice work. She does a lot of art teaching and she’s great at encouraging people. We’re delighted to be hosting her latest exhibition and would encourage everyone to come along and view her pieces during the month of April.” Mary works and teaches from her Mount Henry Art Studio at her home in Killenard. She can be contacted on 087 9063363 or email maryslevin.artist@gmail.com. Mary can also be found on Instagram and Facebook and at maryslevinartist.com.
