Trudi’s artwork lights up Abbeyeix Library this Christmas
Retired art teacher and artist Trudi Killeen pictured with one of her watercolour exhibition pieces in Abbeyleix Library Photos: Stan Henderson
ABBEYLEIX Library is a wonderland of watercolours this Christmas as a super art exhibition featuring many local scenes by retired art teacher and artist Trudi Killeen from Ballinakill is currently on display for the month of December.
The masterful collection of detailed paintings features scenic places like Heywood Gardens and Lakes, Gill’s Pond in Ballinakill, Castle Durrow and Abbeyleix Library itself along with several vibrant paintings of well-known shops on Main Street Portlaoise with floral art and forestry scenes.
Trudi is a watercolour artist who specialises in landscapes and townscapes. She concentrates on local scenes while capturing the natural beauty of Laois.
The talented artist had her first exhibition in Queen’s University in Belfast in the 1960s shortly after graduating in art and has had several more shows along her art journey.
Trudi’s current exhibition is a pleasure to view, and no doubt traffic will be slow at the traffic lights beside Abbeyleix Library over the festive season as many heads will turn to see a selection of the fabulous paintings, some of which are displayed in the huge window that locals call their ‘front room’ in the heritage town.
While retired from teaching art 20 years ago, Trudi still truly loves her craft, and this is very much reflected in her stunning works.
While hanging her paintings in Abbeyleix Library with the help of her daughter, Niav Reilly, owner of Market Square Studios in Ballinakill, Trudi commented on her art-life for the Laois Nationalist.
She said: “I was an art teacher on the Falls Road in Belfast in the 1960s after I graduated in art. When the troubles started, we moved to England where I taught art until we moved back to Ireland in the 1980s. I was also taught art in Dublin, Portumna in Galway, and in Banagher in county Offaly before retiring 20 years ago.
“I love en plein air when I can get good weather, but it can be challenging to get a chance to get myself comfortable. I also love to take photographs of the wonderful scenes that are on our doorstep in Ballinakill and then I can paint them in my studio at home.
“My studio overlooks Gill’s Pond in Heywood and much of the inspiration for my paintings is found within walking distance from my home, particularly Heywood Gardens with its wonderful lakes and woods.” Trudi’s exhibition is well worth visiting. Her original works are very reasonably priced and prints of her paintings are also available in mounts.
Trudi Killeen’s artworks and prints can be purchased by contacting Niav Reilly at Market Square Studios in Ballinakill on 087 6274259 or by calling into the shop which opens from 10am until 4.30pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Market Square Studios can also be found on Instagram and Facebook, and the arts and crafts shop also stocks a large range of wonderful paintings and handmade goods from lots of local artists, makers and creators. It also serves good coffee.
Abbeyleix Library can be contacted on 057 8730020.
