6 month Residency at the Royal Hibernian Academy

I moved into the studio in January 2012, coming from the below zero temperatures of my previous studio in Henrietta street, I couldn't believe my luck. The charms of Henrietta Street could never compare to the luxuries of a heating system...

Purpose built studios in the extension of the recently refurbished RHA, consideration of the artists needs are taken care of. Storage, sink, running hot water, access to easels and tables, and shared kitchen, library and showering facilities! And most importantly- a lift! 4 studios circular the large studio/workshop area.

The large studio holds drawing sessions twice or so per week. Around 30 artists on each day, work from 2 models. I've attended these sessions for over 3 years, so the familiarity made it easy for me to settle into my new studio, by both having previous knowledge of the space and knowing a few of the people attending. There's a mutual respect during these days, between artists in the studios and the sessions... Trying to keep quiet and also leaving the studio during their break times. I realised quickly that I go in and out of the studio constantly- tea, toilet, lunch, tea, toilet, tea, tea, tea.... Need to cut down on tea!!! It's quite a privilege having life drawing at your disposal 2 days a week, and I take advantage as much as I can and get drawing.

Other workshops facilitated by RHA members happen intermittently, these are a real bonus! A little bit of ear wigging throughout the day, and chatting to everyone on their breaks and you get a little taste of what's going on in the workshop! It's always interesting to see different approaches to painting and how it's taught.

Towards the end of our residency, we- the residents- put on another Open Studio. In the early months we held one for the Friends of the RHA. This was a great success, as it was an opportunity to meet visitors to the RHA and introduce ourselves to a new audience in a more informal manner. As with every residency, it's what you put into it, and our group was quite active and made the most of its central location and people's curiosity!

During my time in the RHA, I put on a drawing show at Draiocht, and also completed a detailed Self-portrait in Oil Paint. Both of these were a departure from my usual, and also a bit of a challenge. Again, I feel that's one of the benefits of taking on the studio, I was willing to divert slightly with what I was making and was guilt-free about doing so! The set-up of the studios is so comfortable that it's easy to focus and get stuck in! Inspiration is everywhere, from the people you meet to the quality and diversity of work exhibited in the galleries.

I'd do it again in a flash! ......and did I mention the Craic?!

'Self Portrait After I Said Yes'

'Self Portrait After I Said Yes', 92 x 71cm, Oil on Linen, 2012. 

Documentation of the process of painting a self portrait from life, using only a mirror. Quite possibly the most difficult painting I've attempted! I started the painting 6th February and finished it 13th July 2012. It took the full 6 months on a residency in the Royal Hibernian Academy in Dublin. Thankfully it's a luxurious studio which allowed for long hours!!!

'Life Drawings' exhibition pics

                                          

Preview of 'Life Drawings' @ Draiocht

EXHIBITION OPENS 13th June 2012 19.00

Draiocht, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15

All Indian Ink on Paper, except one pencil

51 x 35.5cm + frame

 http://www.draiocht.ie/events/allyson_keehan/

LIFE DRAWINGS Exhibition

My next Exhibition Opens Wednesday 13th June at Draiocht Blanchardstown 19.00

Poised, elegant and sophisticated; Keehan’s depiction of the nude harmonises the academic tradition with gentle intimacy. Through the medium of Indian ink on paper, she gives a fluid lightness to the subject. Controlled and deliberate brush marks are juxtaposed beside happy instances of drips and bleeds, with watermarks giving life and movement to the subjects. The drawings are taken beyond the study of the human form and the models expression and identity come to life. Life drawing is seen as one of the enduring and most difficult themes in visual arts. Keehan’s approach is both expressive and considered, a complimentary extension of Keehan’s other work in oil paint. 

Born in Limerick in 1978. Keehan graduated from Byam Shaw School of Art (University of the Arts London) in 2004 with a MA in Fine Art, after completing a BA(Hons) Fine Art Painting in 2002 from Limerick School of Art and Design. Keehan has exhibited widely including London, Berlin and extensively through Ireland, including solo shows ‘Shimmeriing Synthetic Appearances; I Want To Put You Back In’ at Queen Street Studios Gallery, Belfast in January 2012 and ‘Lookie Likie; Mimetic Protagonist’ at The Molesworth Gallery in 2011. Keehan won the Merit Award in The Golden Fleece Award 2012. She is exhibiting in this years RHA Annual, and in January 2012 she started a six month residency in the RHA Studios. In 2010 Keehan undertook a residency in Takt Berlin. She now lives and works in Dublin.

Golden Fleece Awards 2012

Some really nice photos from the Golden Fleece Awards Ceremony in the RHA 6th March 2012  http://www.goldenfleeceaward.com/highlights.html

Allyson Keehan and Claire Kerr

Golden Fleece Award

WOOOP I got the Merit Prize!!!

http://www.goldenfleeceaward.com/artist_Keehan%20Allyson.html