Yep, I finally checked out The Space at The Dock, a Friday night in style if you ask me! I wasn’t really sure what to expect, and I had to admit that I wasn’t familiar with DJ, filmmaker and curator Donal Dineen yet, when No Disco was on in the nineties I think I didn’t even own a telly back then! But my beloved went on and on about No Disco and how it had shaped his way to listen to music, till I finally realized that The Small Hours on Today FM are done by the same guy, and that I knew Donal Dineen after all!

Despite Donal being delayed on the road, me losing twenty quid in the foyer and the babysitter being booked till midnight only we had a smashing night, The Space transforms the place into something else, the night is getting dragged out of its cupboard, there is a kind of hanging-out feeling in the air, watching life and people and let time pass without a hurry. The visual end of it all seems somewhat compelling, almost addictive to hang onto those moving scenes, loops and lights, but maybe that’s just me, as other were waiting to hit the dance floor asap. I happily watched Donal at his laptop dishing out music, he reminded me of somebody from long ago plus he seemed to enjoy himself a lot, I just love watching people being engrossed in the moment, having fun with what they’re doing, and with a bit of Trance music bouncing around the room I was in my bubble of bliss. The Space makes for a groovy night out, a bit of everything to be had, and the there is certainly the whole Club thing going on with funky stools, chubby sofas and comfy bean bags scattered around the place. The bar is being moved right into the foyer (just not this one time), so everything becomes one big space and people wander about between songs and drinks or chatting to somebody unexpected, and even the foyer turn into a visual experience dipped into unusual lighting at that time of the night. As I said, we had to leave before the day changed, but the party was in full swing at that time, and I am certainly going to check out the next Space session on the 25^th of February, The Can Percussion Trio followed by late night grooves with DJ Pedro. With a repertoire spanning everything from Bach to Steve Reich, and the strangest line-up of instruments you’ll see this year, expect a few surprises! Mark the 25^th in your diary, see ya there, Your Dock Blogger

Hi folks, from now on I'll be introducing artists and some of the staff at The Dock in written interviews once in a while, so you get an idea of who is around the place and what they are doing. Starting with Laura Gallagher, Artist in Residence, and with the finalized footnote that her Oil Painting Classes will start up again on Tuesday the 31^st of January! There is still a place left, so get inspired, read here about Laura, call in and you never know ... you may pick up that paint brush just yet!

LAURA Gallagher in Interview with The Dock Blogger

Hi Laura. Thanks for doing this with me. I tried to Google you, and unfortunately I found about 966 Laura Gallagher’s, luckily I knew what to look for... I read that you were one of the initial Artists in Residence at The Dock, can you tell me something about it, how it all started?

Yes that’s right, at that time I was on a residency with The Department of Culture in Lower Austria, I saw the advert online for this new arts centre in Leitrim. It sounded like a quite impressive space and I was intrigued at the thought of working in Leitrim. At that point I hadn't been to Leitrim but was aware that it seemed to be a place that a lot of creative people were drawn to. I also wanted to be based in an active and creative environment, as you can imagine working as an artist can be quite isolating. I was Artist in Resident in The Custom House Studios for a few years and found it to be a very support environment working alongside other artists and housed within a gallery. So I sent an application with of my work from Austria for selection and I was very happy to hear I was selected and Leitrim was going to be my new home!

I heard that you did your MA about a couple of years ago, did that affect your art practice in any way?

Yes I did my Masters in Visual Arts Practice with Dun Laoghaire Art College and found that it really challenged my practice and me a lot. Going through the process of doing a Master’s really pulls apart your practice and makes you question every little act and decision you’ve made and continue to make. The objective being – to bring critically into your practice and so there’s a lot of questioning, a lot or research, reading re-examining your practice which I think is a good thing although I have found it very difficult to come out the other end in one piece and to continue making work. So I’m struggling with that right now.

Have you always been into art, and just knew that's what you wanted to do for a living when you grew up?

Yes, ever since my father thought a few things about drawing in my early teens I’ve been interested in it and he used to paint years ago.... but I wouldn’t have considered studying art in 3^rd level until I was about 18. I did know I was interested in colour and design although I didn’t know any artists and or anything about the art world so wasn’t quite sure how to go about it.

On one website it says that you work as a contemporary artist. When you sit down to create a new painting, do you know exactly what you're going to do before you do it? Does the idea for your work develop before or while you paint? How is the process for you?

I would have an idea of what it is I want to paint but it would not be planned out. I would do some research –work on sketches, take photographs and also respond to previous work. When I start to paint I often work quite intuitively and respond to the marks I’ve made and gradually build up layer upon layer of paint. I also spend quite a bit of time looking at the work, hanging it up and not working on it for a period of time and then returning to it with fresh eyes. The time spent can be very valuable, I work slowly which can be quite frustrating at times but I think I’m a bit of a perfectionist… one admirer of my work once commented that I make a number of paintings into one painting which I think is quite accurate. I work on them for such a long time and re work them until I’ve exhausted them so knowing when to leave it alone is also an important decision to make.

Have you always worked in the same style as you do now?

My work and my attitude to it are shifting. I think the next body of work and my approach to it will be quite different to anything I’ve produced before. I hope I’ll surprise others and myself, but most of all I hope I get to make it! It’s a real struggle to survive as an artist I have to spread my time amongst many things so it’s not always possible to get the time you’d like to spend on purely making work.

I am curious as to how your place is decorated, are your own paintings hanging around the place? Any other type of artwork scattered around the room?

There’s bit and pieces of old work in my studio, but mostly books and collected notes and images that have caught my attention, and also stretchers waiting to be stretched! Plenty of old paint piled up which some people seem to be fascinated by - my palette in a way is a sculpture.

I used to ask everybody what his or her favourite food is, but now I changed my last question. Finally Laura, what do you do for fun and relaxation, how do you spend your spare time?

In my spare time I love to spend time outdoors and get some fresh air to clear my head. That might take the form of walking, cycling, rowing…sometimes I may not move very much in the studio so it always feels good to get out and get moving. Besides that I enjoy going to see any live performances with my friends.

Thank you very much for your time again Laura, that is brilliant!

Your Dock Blogger

Competition

Are you feeling creative?

Fancy a couple of Free Tickets for one of the upcoming cool shows from the next What’s on Guide March till May?

Could you think of a great image/ picture for The Dock Blog?

As you noticed, The Dock has a new website, the Blog is aboard and easily accessible for everybody logging on, and we are in search of a permanent image to celebrate that! With our busy blogger at the steering wheel the blog became the spot where to find news behind the scene, some unexpected snapshots, exclusive interviews, the odd inspiration. All that is missing is the image, the one original picture that will stick to the blog and become its own. As well as that cosy feeling of pride to see your chosen picture as the blog’s header you will be treated to above mentioned tickets and VIP treatment on the night, be surprised what we have in stall for you!

Post your pictures through to Claire McArree, The Dock, St Georges Terrace, Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim. Or email your work alongside your contact details to me at mailto:dockblogger@gmail.com

Closing date is the 13^th of February 2012 - that gives you a good few days to create something smashing and unique for us, and still lets you off the hook to write a spot-on Valentine’s card for a well established or prospective Valentine in your life… the winning image and name will be published in the Whats on Guide in March!

Good Luck to you all,

Looking forward to your work, Your Dock Blogger

Besides getting the last details for our Blog Competition finalized, I am working on an interview with Laura Gallagher, one of the initial Artists in Residence at The Dock. Remember one of my very first posts where I told you about that creaking staircase leading to the attic, where that light-flooded room houses three artists and their work? Unfortunately Laura is away for the week, so I will have that interview up for you by middle of next week only, unfortunately not fully in time for Laura’s Oil Painting Classes on Monday and Tuesday! Nevertheless, it is a valuable piece of information, so here you go: Laura’s Oil Painting Classes start back again, you might pick up that paintbrush just yet… Imagine submitting your own painting to Open Season 2012!

Oil Painting Classes for Improver's Tuesdays 7-9pm, nine weeks as usual

Oil Painting Classes for Beginners Mondays 7-9pm for nine weeks also.

All materials will be provided on booking... Give it a go, you know you want to!