First solo exhibition for Castlelyons' lady
A selection of works by local lady, Mary Hartnett, are to go on display at Castlelyons Community Centre on the weekend of April 13th and 14th.
Opening her first solo exhibition, the Castlelyons native will showcase a variety of artworks mostly in watercolour and mixed-medium, with themes ranging from nature and animals to camogie and books.
Speaking with TheAvondhu, Mary explained that she has been painting since about 2011 and took up the art as a pastime initially, following a diagnosis of MS.
“I was diagnosed with MS in 2009. I used to work with the HSE as a home help. I didn’t go back to work after being diagnosed because I couldn’t distinguish between hot and cold and I had to know which was which because of the personal care (work) I was doing. I decided, I have to do something while I was at home,” she said.
TRUE 'THERAPY'
Taking on art classes with Barbara Barrett in Tallow and later with Carol O’Sullivan in Kilworth, Mary began honing her skill and now says that painting is her ‘therapy’.
“I’d like to thank Barbara Barrett and Carol O’Sullivan, only for them and going to their classes, I probably wouldn’t have gotten here. It's an outlet for me. It’s my therapy. When I’m having bad MS days, or when things are low, this is what I turn to. It takes my mind off of what’s going on,” Mary said.
Mary’s paintings feature a variety of topics, with nature and the natural world being a key theme. Among her paintings is one of Monty’s Pass, the Grand National winner trained by Jimmy Mangan that put Conna on the map.
FAMILY SUPPORT
As requested by her niece, the painting was Mary’s first attempt at something of this nature and pushed her out of her comfort zone, challenging her to take on a wider subject range.
Now looking forward to her first solo exhibition, having previously exhibited with Taste of Cork and Waterford, Mary thanks all those who have supported her thus far, particularly her family.
“There are big nerves but I’ve had great friends that have all helped me out through this and my family are outstanding. Without family support and without my husband's support, I don’t think I’d be where I am today.
“I want people to come and enjoy it. I just want them to see what you can do. For people who have MS, it’s not all a dead end. When you’re diagnosed, that’s how I felt in the beginning, but this saved me in one sense. I had an outlet and I had something else and my thoughts and my thinking turned,” Mary said.
DROP ALONG
From 6pm to 9pm on Saturday 13th and from midday to 6pm on Sunday, Mary’s works will go on display at Castlelyons Community Centre and it is expected that her fiveyear-old granddaughter, Éirinn, will showcase a work or two of her's also.
“I have five grandchildren now and I try to encourage them to do a bit of painting with me. Éirinn has just turned 5 and she loves drawing and colouring and painting and she’s excellent. She may have one or two of her paintings or colourings done on the day too for the exhibition to help encourage her,” Mary said.
A draw will also take place on the day in aid of Friends of Dean and Padraig, a Castlelyons-based group supporting children and families with special and additional needs, with a host of prizes including hampers.
The exhibition is free of charge, however, donation buckets in aid of Friends of Dean and Padraig will also be in place on the day for those wishing to contribute.