100 paintings in 100 days raises €500 for charities
A Drogheda man has certainly made the most of his cocooning and has completed 100 paintings in 100 days for local charities.
Des McKenna had to stay totally isolated during the pandemic due to an illness, so rather than rest on his laurels, he got busy and raised an incredible €500 divided between the Drogheda Alzheimer’s Building fund, and Drogheda Cares for the Homeless.
“That’s a lot of brush strokes alright, and sure it kept me off the streets,” laughs Des, who is a very young at heart 67-year-old. “I used to paint in my early 20s – before children – and while I was at home, I thought why not start again, and maybe sell them for €5 or €10 at the most, for charity.”
Des’s brother, well known former political journalist Gene McKenna, is involved in trying to get the new Alzheimers building finally completed.
“They have been years trying to get this done, so every bit helps, and one evening at Christmas, I saw the homeless aid outside the Church, and the people putting themselves out there for others, and thought I could help there too.”
Des, who is a retired management consultant for Coca Cola, has a popular facebook page called OAP, but it’s not what you think!
“I did start it when I turned 66, but it stands for Original Affordable Art, and my aim is to make art available to all,” he explains. “I invest in the canvas for €2 and then someone can buy one for a fiver or tenner, and I paint whatever pops into my head that day, or can paint something people want.”
Of course, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, as Des is dad to none other than Natalie Kelly, who has raised thousand since starting her successful Drogheda
Dolls facebook page.
“We are very proud of her and think she is doing amazing things,” says the Townrath man. “There are very generous people in this town, and I’d like to thank everyone who bought a painting, and gave money to these great charities.”