Art works inspired by nature and the elegance of greyhounds and horses
Ballinalack artist, Josephine Guilfoyle, had just finished hanging the paintings in her exhibition at the Atrium in County Buildings when we spoke to her this afternoon.
A self-taught artist born to Irish parents in 1961 in Urmston, Manchester, Josephine moved to Ireland in 1975 and now runs Carrick Stables in Ballinalack with her partner, Martin Joyce.
Josephine has always worked with horses (including stud work, race horses, show jumping and hunting) and takes inspiration from those noble animals, as well as greyhounds and landscapes.
In the accompanying photo, Josephine and Martin are standing between her works titled ‘Space’ (on their left) and ‘Waiting’.
Josephine said Space was inspired by the elegance of greyhounds: “The space they need, their speed and the ground they can cover,” she explained.
Her memories of riding horses on the beach at Mornington are also included in the painting.
The elegance of greyhounds also comes into the painting on the right of the couple in the photo, Waiting. “Greyhounds are an excuse to do something elegant,” said Josephine.
Josephine sketches and paints people, horses, cattle, dogs and landscapes and takes undertakes many commissions.
She draws inspiration from the Irish landscape and animals, creating works with depth.
As a teenager Josephine did an apprenticeship to be a jockey with Bill Lannigan at The Heath in Portlaoise (though she didn’t actually become a jockey), and studied stud management at Stradbally Hall, so it is no surprise that the equestrian world continues to feature in her work.
“I’m inspired by nature too,” said Josephine, “I have a camera with me all the time and a sketch pad, and I have a good memory for colours.
“I also like to make up paintings from seeing old cottages and imagining what life would have been like when someone lived there.”
If you call to the Atrium at Áras an Chontae in Mullingar, you will see a number of Josephine’s painting (which are for sale) and you can contact her on 086 451 5775 to discuss those or painting classes if you would like to learn to paint as she does.
The exhibition runs till Friday July 7.