ROAD TRIPPING IN DUBLIN

Hi there! Long time no blog.  It's the end of February can you believe it? 2020 has been sprinting along at a rapid pace and I'm wondering is it just me or is everyone finding life going by in a blurry whish? 

January always goes in a blink for me as I attend Showcase Ireland Creative Expo in Dublin, a trade-only fair where I get to show off my products to buyers from shops in Ireland and abroad.  This year I launched new prints and cards and in particular I added a new range of Dublin prints as part of my Ireland Road Trip collection which went down really well. 

I was delighted to add some amazing new customers to my list of stockists, plus it's always so lovely to meet my existing buyers from all over the country who I don't get the chance to see in person that often.  Apart from having the flu throughout the show (which was a complete killer), it was a fantastic event. I find it never disappoints.

As anyone who knows me will tell you, I absolutely love what I do.  This year, to paint a selection of six Dublin landmarks was the highlight of my creative year.

​In particular I really enjoyed adding my own little characters to each piece, whether it be a couple having a pint outside the Temple Bar, the 'ladies who shop' on Grafton Street, the compulsory dog or two, elegant swans in Stephen's Green or my No.1 personal favourite, the black Guinness cat (there must be a Guinness cat right?).  He's difficult to spot but he's there, and I like the way his presence in this piece gives a sense of scale to the giant St. James's Gate at Guinness Brewery.  Also, my Ireland Trip Collection wouldn't be the same without a VW minibus somewhere, so I managed to slot one in but I'll let you find it!

My Dublin illustrations are now available to buy on the website details here.

The year ahead promises to be a busy and exciting one with lots of new creative projects planned.  I look forward to sharing with you my creative processes on Instagram and if you haven't already, please follow @hairyfruitart I'd love you to join me as I create, to watch me paint and sketch and witness my progress on projects as they happen in this lovely creative world of mine here at the Hairy Fruit Art studio.

See you soon!

​Hx

The Guinness Cat