‘Nature in Lockdown’ you cant help but be inspired by all the wonderful scenes of recent where nature is rediscovering the world again without our nosy, smelly everyday presence. The brill idea was suggested to me to illustrate some of the quirky and surreal goings on of nature over the past few weeks and I thought I’d have a go #natureinlockdown #nature #wildlifeinlockdown #lockdown #illustration #doodle #sketchbook #penandink #freedom #picturebookmakersni

Not long back from the wonderful CBI conference of 2019 “Belonging” and what a treat it was to be a among such a warm and welcoming people.

Hosted in the perfectly situated “Light House Theatre” with its very hip and modern style I had the nerve wracking honour to speak as one of New Voices of 2019.

First up on the list, I got to sit alongside of Ireland’s most super talents new artists and Authors – what a treat.

And there we are, the “New Voices class of 2019” all stood smiling nicely together after our talks. I couldn’t believe how talented they all were, I have definitely made some friends for life after this experience not just with my fellow New voices but with a few of those smiley faces up in the audience.

My first spotting of the book on an actual…bookshelf in an actual…shop! Over the moon and in the nearest Easons to where I grew up.

Happy man

It’s finally arrived, as of the 9th of September Laura Ruth Maher’s wonderful new take on one of Ireland oldest and most favourite legends “Children of Lir”

Published by The O’Brien press in Dublin, I am absolutely chuffed with the final piece. Dust cover and golden inner pages. Lovely finishing touches.

Discover Ireland!

The Carle’s new reading library exhibition opened today! Ireland’s Eye: Picture Book Views of Ireland invites guests to explore #Ireland, the myths, legends, landscape and traditions through picture books. Images from 26 artists from, living or inspired by the island.

August 14, 2019 -An exhibition of digital reproductions

While the music and literature of Ireland have reached audiences worldwide, few of the country’s picture book are known beyond its shores. Ireland’s Eye highlights the unending inspiration artists have found on the island nation.

Curated by Elizabeth Goldrick, 2019 Trinkett Clark Intern

Elizabeth is from Dublin, Ireland and received an M. Phil in Children’s Literature at Trinity College Dublin, 2018. Her love of children’s books comes from years of reading books from far and wide at home and in local libraries and later working in an independent Irish children’s bookstore enjoying “matchmaking” readers with new illustrators and titles. She has felt like the VHC on Saturday every day of the internship.

©PeterDonnelly2017 The Presidents Glasses Gill Books

What a treat to see this, I am very proud and humbled to have been invited to such a wonderful event. The Children’s Books Ireland conference held in September has asked that I pop over and speak about the lovely Laura Mahers book “The children of Lir” and how I went about creating the images.

Extremely excited!

Good morning folks,

This morning I was sent a very exciting email to say that, news of a little project I have been working on the past 6-7 months is going to be announced. When I got a random message back in Septemberish time last year from the lovely Emma Byrne from O’Brien press in Dublin asking if I would be interested in a project she was working on – my curiosity instantly got the better of me and immediately said yes.

I was then sent a beautifully written piece of script based on the old Celtic legend, “The Children of Lir“. Traditionally quite a sad tale, Laura Maher had somehow managed to reword and masterfully rhyme together the sentences to produce a version that I feel has become more child friendly and gentle than the original. Opening it up to the younger age groups.

It was certainly a challenge to work on, but I was almost sad to see it come to an end. It is a tale of yes, a wee bit of sadnesss, but of old magic, castles and kings and the endless determinations of four siblings as they roam in search of a way to break their 300 year curse to live as Swans.

Although not released yet ( COMING VERY SOON ), please do check out our blog on the O’Brien website: http://www.obrien.ie/blog/the-children-of-Lir/

Just reminiscing over this fantastic little project I had the pleasure of getting involved in back this time last year. Bath’s “Forest of Imagination”, this has become an annual event due to how warmly it has receive by both Baths residence and surrounding creatives.

Forest of Imagination is a Contemporary arts and design event created by Grants Associates, 5x5x5=creativity and local creative industries that reimagines a fimiliar space to inspire everyone’s creativity and heighten a sense of nature in an urban environment.

For this project I was asked to work on a well used walkway space situated next to a multi storey car park and the main road. The walkway lead directly to the beautiful riverbank which runs directly through Bath City centre. The objective was to work with St. John’s Primary (a local school) and co design a mural that would get both the children working on the project and the visitors to the event to think about and celebrate the wonder yet mostly hidden wildlife living in the river.

For me it was definitely a tester, this was the time I had officially been placed in charge of working with a school group in creating a final piece. The children where very engaged and without having to point out too many suggestions were able to tell me about their wildlife neighbours. The goal was to get the, to research and look out for all the different species to finally create a piece of artwork to contribute to the final mural which would have all the images digitally added by myself.

What a brilliant day, on Thursday the 12th of July we marked the official Launch of the Royal Historic Palace/Kew Gardens “Here Be dragons” event.

Below you can see a very pleased as punch me, stand next to the wonderful Blue Peter competition winner Florence. It’s was a pleasure to meet all the young competitors and see the wonderful buzz the event had created.

After, Gill (my wonderful agent) made a quick scurry over to the great Pagoda where we couldn’t resist a quick snip and nosey around inside. Proper VIPs for the day.

Standing very proudly is one the the competition winners designs placed on one of the beautifully presented dragon monuments scattered and craftily hiding around the gardens. Can you find them all?

The only real and proper way to find them is to become a member of the B.D.A (British Dragonologists Association) obviously. So a very chuffed me, had to get the badge

I am extremely excited to announce a project that I have been tinkering on this past little while down with the fantastic crew at HRP. As labelled, its called “Here be dragons” and was an amazing project to work on…. I shall be updating you with more details closer to the official launch in the next few months.

Over and out,

Conor