The Painting Studio

Victoria

2011-11-07T20:09:00.001Z

Victoria WWW.LIAMOCONNOR.NET, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

Oil on canvas
50 x 50 cm
2011

leaving the studio today

2011-11-03T07:52:00.001Z

leaving the studio today, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

2011-11-01T08:20:00.003Z

2011-10-16T10:09:00.001+01:00

ArtCardiff Art Map

The last few days I have been delivering Art maps of Cardiff, and they are available from most if not all the venues featured.

It is an artist lead project
Here are a few links of the people involved
hollydavey.com
gordondalton.co.uk
anthonyshapland.com
richardhiglett.com
kathrynashill.com
michaelcousin.co.uk
elbowroom.org.uk
g39.org

And many others G39 really supported the map and without their support and design skills (jonathanmorris.org.uk) it wouldn’t have worked.

I have really enjoyed helping out with this project, seeing something produced that is so obviously needed within Cardiff has been really exciting.

I hope people get behind the project and push this to become integral to the Cardiff arts scene,

It is an inclusive map with no gallery gets preferential treatment.

Delivering the map I have had a few great comments, for example “I am really pleased to see all this stuff going on in the city I live in” ending nicely “even if I am not interested in half the stuff its just great to know its all going on.”

This map outlines what a vibrant city we have, not that I think there is not more that can be done.

As the one piece of art included in the art map states “We Are All In This Together”

I hope this Map gets the small amount of support it needs to keep on being produced.

2011-09-25T22:07:00.000+01:00

Recently I have been struggling with contrast within my workI have been attempting to make portrait that are made at night, a sort of dark painting that comes from being painted in a certain light.Illustrating darkness has not worked at all for various reasonsSo recently I have been thinking of framing not necessary actual frames more of a marker from which a contrast can be madeThe idea of giving a work a context within the image

Vicky (unfinished)Oil on Canvas

first MAstar of 2011 is Liam O'Connor selected from Swansea Met University by Gordon Dalton

2011-07-20T17:45:00.003+01:00

MAstars : Liam O'Connor, MA Fine Art: Contemporary Dialogues

Liam O’Connor and Casper White on Vimeo by Liam O'Connor

2011-07-11T23:32:00.002+01:00

A DIALOGUE BETWEEN PRACTICES
Liam O’Connor and Casper White

Swansea Metropolitan University

MA Art & Design:
Contemporary Dialogues 2011

UGNACH (Casper White)

2011-06-30T20:50:00.001+01:00

UGNACH (Casper White), originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

NEED TO BLOG MORE!

Mobile phone as a candle

2011-03-11T10:50:00.000Z

This week.

2011-02-06T09:31:00.003Z

here are a few images of the initial sketches for a group of new works.

I am trying to paint more men. for some reason my mark making changes or becomes more loose.

Video interview for works shown in the Bath fringe show.

2011-01-21T14:57:00.003Z

Grampa Gwyn sketch.

2011-01-21T09:18:00.000Z

2010-10-21T12:37:00.001+01:00

Maelfa. (draft)

2010-10-15T09:38:00.016+01:00

we are introduced to the space architecturally through a initial text, the film itself focus’s on the personal spaces. a camera pans through a shopping centre

Vitally the film never stops we are always driven on, in this aspect it reminded me of what some element of minimal tecno/house especccially those who are using old analog equipment to find “swing” or organic sounds in eqipment that at time of production was the most modern and synthetic of technology , here I see similaritys in the arciteture of seans object the building as modern relic. Also the subtle changes in the sounds become huge in contex.

Cheaters by Teengirl Fantasy

the spaces viewed through windows are always shifting moving even if the spaces contain static objects, often the glass we are peering through revels a truer reflection of space we the viewer/camera are moving through.

I was reminded of the Claude Glass

http://www.vam.ac.uk/images/image/5470-popup.html

“Named after French 17th-century painter Claude Lorrain, this dark mirror aided painters in translating the landscape into two-dimensional representations. With the device in hand, an artist would turn away from the landscape he or she sought to depict, the better to see its essential features, as the darkened piece of glass reflected only the highlights and deepest shadows of the scene while absorbing the middle tones. The idea of turning away from nature to clarify one’s vision of it fascinated Fernández and inspired her to explore the use of dark reflective materials, including black onyx.” http://www.blackbird.vcu.edu/v7n2/gallery/ravenal_j/fernandez.htm

my experience of using the Claude Glass is to capture a scene, using it to digest a vast view with out my eyes having to travel over the landscape, Sean’s film does not rely on the picturesque owning of the landscape it relies on the environments layered depths.

The Claude Glass quickly became a door to another world, often the user were seen to be embracing darker more “spiritual” uses by looking in to the polished depths, in Sean’s film we can also do this, we see apparitions, echo’s of things that could happen .

Derrida in “Memoirs of the blind” talks about how to draw something we see we must look away form the object to draw the line, in a way we are blind at this moment or at least blind of the object ,

To see the building featured in Maelfa we must look away look through and upon rather than at. The action is not in the picturesque whole, it is in the movement through and out,

This film reminded me of the line drawn around the shadow cast by a leaving lover, this line is all that is left a proto portrait .

Maelfa is like this line , I am not tied emotianlly to or in adoration of the subject the lover/Maelfa but I can admire the line/film that is left .

upon the glass darkly.

James Blake - I Only Know (What I Know Now) by Strange Moss

2010-10-15T09:38:00.002+01:00

More canvas stretching.

2010-10-01T14:27:00.002+01:00

Until recently I had constructed my own canvas stretchers but recently I have started using bars made by Russell and Chapple,

I really like the exhibition stretchers.

http://www.russellandchapple.co.uk/

stretching canvases

2010-09-29T20:40:00.002+01:00

paint in my sleep

2010-09-05T22:36:00.005+01:00

Painted my self out of the studio today, Grey Floor paint.

Studio 2 Today

2010-08-19T22:16:00.005+01:00

Oil on canvas, first sitting, trying to keep it light.

got a commission to start tomorrow. also what could be big changes in my daily practice.

I took this photo today in my front room trying out a lens (its a present for a friend) the painting on the wall is a old work by my friend Christopher holloway http://www.christopherholloway.net i have loads of his work and one day i will pay him for them.

First Sittings

2010-08-15T13:22:00.004+01:00

I have struggled to paint recently, I have had very little to post.

Here are a few new paintings.

Bath Fringe! more details to follow.

2010-05-06T21:00:00.003+01:00

http://www.fringeartsbath.co.uk/swansea-ma-group/

2010-05-03T21:31:00.002+01:00

My show at Denise Yapp Contemporary Art.

2010-05-03T21:25:00.003+01:00

2010-05-01T11:00:00.001+01:00

some of the work is online now

www.deniseyapp.co.uk

I have 49 pieces up at the gallery. will try to put some images up on here soon.

2010-04-29T14:09:00.002+01:00

Shows up !

35 paintings and lots of prints and drawings .

more work than i have ever shown before

take a look at the work

on the galleries website

javascript:void(0)
http://www.deniseyapp.co.uk/

will get photos of the show up soon.

new works

2010-04-28T08:32:00.003+01:00

Delivered my paintings to the gallery yesterday

35 Paintings 15 drawings and prints.

Largest show i have ever done.

www.deniseyapp.co.uk

THE STUDIO TODAY

2010-04-26T16:38:00.001+01:00

THE STUDIO TODAY, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

Sat 20th March 2010.

2010-03-21T12:04:00.001Z

Sat 20th March 2010., originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

Dry point.

2010-03-15T21:30:00.001Z

Dry point., originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

State I

I have been getting back in to printmaking through a course run at The Print workshop, located in the Howardian Adult Education Centre off Colchester Avenue, in Cardiff. its a lovely place and the teaching is great.

14th march 2010

2010-03-14T21:37:00.001Z

14th march 2010, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

10th March 2010

2010-03-10T15:19:00.001Z

10th March 2010, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

hope to get these finished by tomorrow.

first smile I have painted, I think?

9th March 2010

2010-03-09T17:33:00.001Z

9th March 2010, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

two new small paintings.

both are nearly finished, I think.

19th feb 2010

2010-02-19T17:28:00.001Z

19th feb 2010, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

18th feb 2010

2010-02-19T17:27:00.001Z

18th feb 2010, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

2010-02-04T11:18:00.003Z

so it has been quite here for some time-

i have been trying to figure out a few new things,

got sent this from a good artist caller Richard Bevan

http://introducingart.com/

also if anyone is near Somerset,UK, in the next few weeks please feel free to visit :

The Atkinson Gallery‎

Millfield School, Street, Somerset, BA16 0YD‎

kindest regards

Liam

Lara 11/1/10

2010-01-19T22:59:00.004Z

IMG_1087, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

10/1/10 Luke

2010-01-19T22:59:00.001Z

10/1/10 Luke, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

studio-today

2010-01-19T22:56:00.001Z

studio-today, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

the studio today

2010-01-10T15:35:00.002Z

studio-today, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

The studio was very cold today.
The roads and pavements are like ice rinks!

www.casperwhite.com

2010-01-10T15:33:00.002Z

www.casperwhite.com, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

Installation view,
blind painting,
with lights on and off.
Fluorescent Pigment on paper and canvas.
2010.
collaboration with Casper White,
www.casperwhite.com

9/1/10

2010-01-10T14:47:00.004Z

9/1/10, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

unfinished oil sketch

Oil on board
40x40cm

9/1/10, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

8/1/10

2010-01-08T11:13:00.002Z

8/1/10, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

Back to painting today

Not that I haven’t worked, I have been drawing and etching

But here is the first oil sketch of the year

Had a great holiday even though everyone has been ill at some point or another

Also still loving the snow!

Had a great new years day - this got printed

http://www.flickr.com/1

http://2

http://3

It was in the western mail - my parents read it everyday, so they were over the moon.

casper white

2009-12-10T21:51:00.002Z

www.casperwhite.com

happening in the studio tomorrow as part of

December11

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=168313353260&ref=ts

My New Studio.

2009-11-28T23:18:00.001Z

My New Studio., originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

I am moving in on Monday,
I cannot wait to get working there.
doors for a wall
and I have put the lights on remote control.
so excited !

work on the walls

2009-11-27T10:59:00.004Z

P1110876, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

cant stop listening to this

My studio diary 7

2009-11-14T10:08:00.007Z

My studio diary 7, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

My studio diary 6

2009-11-14T10:08:00.006Z

My studio diary 6, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

My studio diary 5

2009-11-06T11:20:00.013Z

My studio diary 5, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

working at home today.

My studio diary 5, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

My studio diary 4

2009-11-02T16:29:00.002Z

My studio diary 34, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

My studio diary 4, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

My studio diary 3

2009-10-31T15:00:00.002Z

My studio diary 2, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

My studio diary 3, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

My studio diary 2

2009-10-30T21:20:00.002Z

My studio diary 2, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

My studio diary 1

2009-10-29T11:29:00.003Z

My studio diary 1, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

My studio diary 1

2009-10-29T11:29:00.001Z

My studio diary 1, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

My studio diary 1

2009-10-29T11:28:00.001Z

My studio diary 1, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

No.1

2009-10-29T11:26:00.001Z

this is my studio today,

all of this work is for Christmas shows if they are finished in time.

2009-10-29T09:57:00.001Z

I tried to right something for this blog.

It did not really work, I felt like a lemon, bitter.

So I think I am going to use it as I had originally planned -

A studio diary.

every time I visit the studio I plan to take a snap and upload it.

7-sleep new house.

2009-06-25T09:58:00.001+01:00

7-sleep, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

This is a painting I finished on Sunday.

I have moved ! after having to deal with quite mean girls at a well known estate agency in Cardiff we finally got the keys to a house in Adamsdown, Cardiff.

Going to set up a studio in one of the bedrooms.

mari in Maesteg park and then in the Indipendent newspaper

2009-06-06T09:14:00.001+01:00

mari in Maesteg park and then in the Indipendent newspaper, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

So here is the little picture they used

It was shot in Maesteg swing park.

There was a little snow on the ground and I had this ridiculously big medium format camera that I had no idea how to use.

The edited blurb sounds a little cheese but hey I was pleases to be picked !

I was very happy to be in the independent as its one of the few I read, much to the annoyance of Lara (she’s the model) she thinks the papers boring and prefers the times? Or grand designs .

the independent newspaper

2009-06-06T09:13:00.001+01:00

the independent, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

The photographs will also be part of an exhibition to be held from 4th July - 21st August 2009, at the 198 Gallery near Brixton, south London.

Other forthcoming events linked to the What is crime? project, include a Parliamentary event launching the project’s research findings on July 1st and a public discussion of the project at the 198 Gallery on July 23rd.

the stairs

2009-05-22T11:01:00.001+01:00

the stairs, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

so i put some old stuff up on flicker as i have been trying to clean the studio and my computer . ready to move now but everything is so slow . anyway back to it going to paint some hypnotized people today!

12

2009-04-24T13:21:00.001+01:00

12, originally uploaded by liamspaintings.

eira today . not finished yet .

2009-04-21T22:35:00.001+01:00

Recently I have been trying to understand why I am drawn to portraiture. One of my methods of exploration is by remaking paintings I find interesting: reimagining the portrait and reconstructing the images utilizing current technologies.

In my attempts to make the paintings in this show, many new questions have arisen, such as how does the use of new media - digital projection, photography and computer manipulation – affect my painting methods and the construction of the oil painting.

When I look at drawn portraits by Ingres I am constantly aware of the contemporary technology he was utilising to construct his portraits, and the large bearing these methods had on the final work.

One thing which differs between my work and the original paintings I have been studying is the nature of the sitter. All my sitters are friends, and they have input into how they would like to be portrayed. In the original paintings, the subjects were members of the aristocracy, and the primary intention of the paintings was to enhance their position in society. In my paintings, this elevation is no longer the purpose, nor holds any importance when creating the work.

Deciphering the aforementioned subjects through the medium of oil paint, a viscous material which is so obviously heavy with history, is vital to me. The dialogues I am trying to construct within my work rely deeply on the nature of oil paint and the subject matter it infers.