Colette Kelleher continued
< back
An interest in art began for Colette in primary school in her native Cork city. She cannot remember much about her early schooling but the images of her early paintings depicting gypsy caravans and men fishing off bridges remain clearly. She is still reminded of them by former school pals! In fact she holds several certificates from The Caltex Art Competition (later known as The Texaco Art Competition) for her work at this time.
Colette’s interest in art was rekindled on setting down roots in Galway in 1972 and attending various classes; in water colours, oil painting and pottery. She had painted on porcelain and wood previously while working in Norway.
Colette attended Philip Robinson’s classes in Colaiste Connacht for several years up to his untimely death. She then attended classes by Miriam Cronin at The Paint Box and was part of her first intake of pupils. She remained a pupil of Miriam for over twenty years, initially working with water colour and then with oils. Her knowledge of art in general, techniques and colour mixing was greatly improved under the excellent tutelage of Miriam.
After attending an art exhibition of Grace Cunningham’s, she was inspired by her paintings of Animals and thought a change from landscapes, flowers and still life would interest her. So she attended Grace’s summer classes for several years and has really enjoyed painting Animals, Birds and Butterflies.
Recently Colette attended a Portraiture workshop with John Dinan which she found to be a challenge but also very informative. She had taken classes with John in the past exploring drawing, water colour, landscape and Plein Air painting.
Colette has exhibited at the annual Galway Art Club exhibition in Galway city centre since 2011.
Colette has always been drawn to detail in paintings, maybe because she is a perfectionist by nature. Her goal for the future is to challenge herself by imitating the Impressionist’s style, and to become more bold in the use of colour.
< back