October | 2017 | brayarts

Padruig MacFarlane – Artist

Padruig takes us down a life long journey recalling the artistic endeavours of a creative youth from a very early age. Reared in the West Highlands of Scotland, he was strongly influenced by the scenic environment around him, but also by the maritime exploits of his family. During his lifetime, he took up the career of a professional architect, but despite this, he was still able to continue painting. He began using different media, though watercolour was always his forte. After emigrating to Ireland in 1963, he exhibited both with the Watercolour Society of Ireland and the RHA not to mention several one man shows. His work could be found in numerous outlets locally, but also in the West of Ireland; he was a regular exhibitor at Kennys Gallery in Galway. At one stage he was producing almost 60 original works a year, but demonstrations and guided workshops were also something he really enjoyed too. As a current member of Kilmantin Arts, this year he compiled a 2017 calendar of his work around Wicklow Town which proved highly popular.

Apart from painting, Padruig’s other love is music; piano accordeon and chromatic harmonica are his main instruments. Aside from this, he has been writing family documents recently including his personal memoirs, “Life is for Living”.

Carmen Cullen

Carmen Cullen will be reading from her forthcoming novel Hello Love, to be launched in The Mermaid Arts Centre Gallery on Tuesday 14th. November at 7.00pm. as part of the Yarn Festival. All are welcome.

Love persists and in Hello Love, nobody can tell Jacqueline what to do, especially her Auntie Mina who comes to live with the family in their Avalon Hotel. The little girl will only take orders from her mother and Imelda has disappeared… Hello Love is Carmen’s second novel and is published by Liberties Press.

There will be a donation per book to The Peter Mc.Verry Trust, Refreshments and Music.

Carmen has been on the committee of Bray Arts since its inception. She was Head of English in Colaiste Dhulaigh in Coolock and Director of the Oscar Wilde Autumn School. She has published three books of poetry and drama for schools called Class Acts. She completed the M.Phil for Creative Writing in Trinity College in 2009. She continues to tour widely with her Tribute to her aunt, Delia Murphy.

Mildred Fox and Christian Hidden Stills

Arriving later than most to the songwriting world, the “Hidden Stills” duo from Wicklow are making up for lost time. When two band mates from “The Whipperwills” decided to try their hands at songwriting, earlier this year, even they were surprised at the results. Songs of reflection, close harmonies and interesting melodies. Having played at the Hot Spot, Grey Goose, The Grove, Plucks, & The Klinkerdin, we are looking forward to sharing our creations with Bray Arts.
Www.hiddenstills.com