Cathy CALLAN
Shortlisted 2007

work shown : Seahorse in Grass (from True Fish series)
One of a series of paintings of a dried seahorse (2006)
Oil on primed and sanded canvas block, 6 cm x 3.75 cm
(click on picture to see larger image)

click here to view the complete True Fish series
And click here to view Berries and Briars series

Cathy Callan has trained and practised as an artist for twenty years. Her work has been shown in a number of group and individual exhibitions, and she is currently preparing for a solo show in the Ashford Gallery of the R.H.A. later in 2007. She will feature as an invited artist at the R.H.A.'s 2007 annual exhibition.

She describes herself as a figurative oil painter working in miniature. Her work is inspired by "old master" paintings, ideas and techniques. She explores various surfaces for painting, including found objects. Her subjects include portraits and ideas from nature. She often works in a series, repeating a subject with subtle differences between paintings.

Funding would enable her to set up her own studio so that she could work at home surrounded by the countryside from which she draws much of her inspiration, instead of having to commute daily to a sublet studio in the centre of Dublin. This would free her in a number of ways to concentrate on developing her ideas through her painting work.