Artists show off immense talent

'I CAN tell a person's humour and mood by looking at what they are painting,' said oilpainting tutor Sylvia McGahon.

' They tend to do a dark study if they're depressed or will use more flamboyant colours if in good form. People come to me saying they can't paint, but then surpass themselves with a real work of art.'

Mary Martin is proud of her two paintings, Lost in Time and The Old Cottage. 'I only started painting 10 years ago in Lifestyle and really enjoy it. I started on pastels, progressing onto acrylics and now I'm using oils which is my favourite.' As well as learning to paint, Mary also enjoys the social aspect of the classes where she finds other participants very encouraging.

Exhibiting for the first time is Anne Miley from Drogheda who painted scenic views in Carlow and Cork from photos taken by her husband. 'I have a great sense of satisfaction that my work is hanging here and that others can look at it.'

With local views, Maureen Moore painted the former An Oige hostel on Clogherhead, the Nanny Cottage in Laytown and a castle in Galway. 'I find oils a favourable medium to work in. It's great that Lifestyle was given the opportunity to mount a group exhibition here.'

Viewing the exhibits was artis Pat Walsh who commended the huge amount of work. 'It's a very peaceful pursuit from which I gain huge enjoyment.'

Now in his 80s, Eamon Faulkner from Bettystown took up painting in 1996 when he retired as daughter Eileen signed him up for a class. 'I never knew I could paint but found I had a hidden talent! I love the company and camraderie of the weekly class as it's a social outlet for me too.' Although bearing a pricetag, Eamon's daughter Eilleen and granddaughters Kate and Ciara Hanlon don't want him to part with his three paintings!

Commenting on the large attendance, Lifestyle Training Coordinator Rita McQuillan said it was a credit to the art group participants and tutors. Over 40 works are on display, including work by the late June Lowthe, class participant who passed away recently.

Although no romances have been attributed to the art class, old friends were reunited when two Drogheda-based ladies both aged 82, and originally from Dundalk and who hadn't seen each other since they were children, met again at the class!

Lifestyle directors Bridie Durnan and Nancy O'Mordha were impressed by the art work exhibited and that the participants could learn to paint from scratch! 'It's great recognition for Sr Ann who started off Lifestyle in the corners of the Boxing Club hall with a boxing ring in the middle and classes going on around it. The group progressed to prefabs and now have a state of the art building.'

Opening the exhibition, Deputy Mayor Richie Culhane said, 'These works of art are testament to the competence and professinalism of the tutors, Loreto Brodigan and Sylvia McGahon, and to the artists themselves who have created unique masterpieces in their own right.' He also congratulated Lifestyle coordinator Mairead Meade and Rita McQuillan who run this truely remarkable facility.