Solo exhibition is a first for Mountrath painter Liam

A HARMONIOUS blend of paintings created by Mountrath artist Liam Phelan was launched at the Gallery of Divine Inspiration in Bloom HQ, Mountrath recently.

This solo exhibition is a first for Liam, who developed his interest in painting at primary school.

Encouraged by a friend to come along to an art class in 2002, Liam’s interest in painting was reignited.

Speaking to the ***Laois Nationalist*** at the launch of ‘Liam’s Art Journey’, the Mountrath man said: “I was always doodling as a young lad and doing bits and pieces. In fourth class we had a monk called Brother Ignatius teaching us in Castletown. He taught us mainly art, along with maths, English, Irish and religion. When we went to the tech, we had art teachers there, too, and I won an art competition when I was about 14 or 15. I never bothered after school because business took over and I was working for myself a lot of the time.

“I took art courses over the years with well-known artists such as Bob Ross, Mary Delaney and Antoinette Breen. I have given art classes, too, because while I was working in Mountmellick Hospital. I also got the chance to complete a Fetac level 7 course in Activities with Older People. This included art and drama and the likes.

“I have had the odd painting here and there in exhibitions over the years, but I have never had a solo exhibition. It’s great to get the opportunity to have my first exhibition in my hometown. I suppose it’s not bad for a 67-year-old.” Included in Liam’s detailed acrylic works are several paintings of old churches from all around the county, river scenes, old buildings and dolmens. The artist said that he is donating three of his pieces to the Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY Ireland) in Tallaght. One of these is a huge and vibrant mermaid that Liam jokingly said appeared in front of him on the weir in Castletown and posed for him, so he thought that he’d better paint her. Other works to be donated are titled Canadian Rockies and Fanad Lighthouse.

Kevin McCann is the curator of the Gallery of Divine Inspiration at Bloom. Commenting on Liam’s exhibition, Bloom’s gallery curator Kevin McCann said: “Fair play to Liam, his art has come on leaps and bounds, he’s a great man to get his art out there in what is his first solo exhibition. It could have been a nerve-wracking thing, but he did it really well.” The exhibition will remain on display in Bloom HQ until the end of the month. For enquiries, email liamphelan1957@gmail.com or search for Liam Phelan Artist on social media.