DAS Member Interview - Paul Kavanagh

12 Oct

Paul, how did you become interested in painting?

For as long as I can remember I was interested in Art, but only as an observer, going to exhibitions at home and abroad. In 1996 a neighbour invited us to an exhibition of work by the art class she had been attending, I was very impressed by the standard and I subsequently joined. Just a few words about this art class ---- it was run by Brian McCarthy of Clontarf. Brian is an excellent teacher and a fine artist, with his help and tuition I soon developed a real love of painting in oils and was very much inspired by beautiful Still Life paintings that Brian was working on at that time.

Do you have any art training?

I have no formal art training just the art classes with Brian.

What other artists do you enjoy?

I really like Carey Clarke RHA for his excellent Portraits and Still Life work.

Blaise Smith RHA a really versatile artist. Tom Ryan PPRHA (deceased) for his amazing body of work, and his generosity and support of groups like DPSC and DAS. Norman Rockwell for all his work, Brilliant!!!

Does creativity run in the family?

Sorry to say not really.

Can you describe your artistic process?

My main interest being Still Life, I tend to set up and then photograph what I think is a good composition and will make a good painting. Occasionally a painting presents itself eg one Autumn afternoon the sun was very low and it lit up our kitchen worktop, I arranged some pears, a ceramic bowl and jug and photographed it, the result was quite dramatic with beautiful light and shade, and it subsequently made a fine painting .

Tell us about your medium and why you chose it?

I paint in oils. Before taking up oil painting I tried watercolours but it did’nt work for me, so when I started in oils I was very taken by the versatility and the forgiving nature of the medium.

Was it always painting or did you have another pursuit/job/career?

I wish it was but sadly not. I trained and worked as a Chef all my working life and in the latter part of my career I was catering Manager with a large Industrial Company. I took classes in Cake Decorating and Sugarcraft as a hobby. I made many Wedding and Celebration cakes for friends and family for more years than I care to remember.

What inspires you to paint?

I draw a lot of inspiration from other Artists work, including the work of members of DAS, DPSC, and the WCSI, I love what I do and that in itself is great motivation to continue.

What does a perfect day painting look like for you?

A day when there are no commitments, no appointments ( at my age these are usually Medical) and an idea that has been on my mind and that with a degree of application could make a good painting.

Any DAS memories?

I have many lovely memories of the hanging days with DAS, the camaraderie and good fun with lovely people, sadly some no longer with us, but also seeing the Exhibition coming together to its usual high standard. Oh! I remember the occasion when we were on holidays and my Daughter rang to say that three of four painting sold. PS the holiday was to New England and I got to visit the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge Mass. A memorable occasion seeing his Studio and his original paintings, copies of which graced the covers of The Saturday Evening Post for decades.