A day in the life of Deborah Donnelly
The artist, author & teacher shares a typical working day
My studio is in Marlay Park in Rathfarnham and open 6 days a week. I major in bad art but every now and again I paint a winner.
I graduated from NCAD 1996 and I headed to NY where I worked as a ghost painter for a number of years. I left after September 11th and came back to Ireland pregnant and alone. My mom who is also an artist thank goodness took me in until I was able to stand on my own two feet again which was suddenly 4 feet. I put every ounce of my heart and soul into my art and thankfully now 25 years later I can call myself a professional artist.
My mantra is Expression beats Depression. IN 2018 I lost my home the very same night I got the keys to my Studio in Marlay Park. When everyone was celebrating and the men with the gold chains had the official opening was the last night in my home. I barely held it together. Today nearly 5 years on I am so grateful for my studio in the park. My art has been the most constant thing in my life and it has saved my life several times over. I paint because I have to paint. It calms me. I am passionate about housing and I think about it all the time. The more I share (which is hard) I suffer from immense Vulnerability hangovers!.
This is hard to write.
Don’t be too judgemental on my art. My practice is what keeps me smiling. I mean have you seen my Ostriches ?!!
DX
The artist, author & teacher shares a typical working day
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