This project was not an easy one in terms of execution. The end product is fantastic and when people see it they will neither know nor care about the stories behind it. Suffice to say it was a learning curve for all involved!
The brief was to choose a Carlow person that you admired. I choose my elderly neighbour Peter Kealy, 90 years old and he has lived on Dranagh lane all of his life. He was born and reared here and is what I consider a true Carlovian, a mountain man who played the accordion, sang, played for St Mullins and County Carlow in hurling as well as farming, breeding quality Irish sport horses, keeping bees and no doubt much more that I am not aware of. He has a curiosity about life that I am sure has contributed to his longevity. A fine figure of a man to this day.
From my point of view this project rekindled my love of drawing, enabled me to spend some time with a lovely neighbour and introduced me to some lovely people as well as being a great networking opportunity. The true benefits of community arts are not something we can quantify but we can feel them.
Here he is on the wall finally first or last…..take you pick!
An overview of the 14 chosen portraits of ordinary real Carlow people
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