Westmeath Women: Patsy Preston

The beauty in creating is often overlooked, and many may value the end product rather than the process of creation itself.

One person who values her creative tendencies is visual artist and Westmeath Woman, Patsy Preston.

Originally from Belfast, Patsy relocated during the Troubles to escape the violence in the city.

“I started painting after I left Belfast to escape the Troubles, not sure where I wanted to live. We ended up in a horse-drawn wagon for many years, starting in Wexford.”

Patsy would paint other horse-drawn wagons as a way to earn a living, while also expressing her creativity, which would lead to signwriting.

She continued earning a living through her art, although she felt the need to return to college, and studied at GMIT part-time for six years, time that changed Patsy’s idea of what form of art she wanted to pursue.

“Sadly, we could only paint on that course, and over time, I became more interested in sculpture.

“I do enjoy painting, and to get my degree, I had to paint, but I found that my passion was getting more ideas to create sculptural pieces.”

Patsy has been living in Westmeath for more than 25 years, and currently lives just outside Ballymore.

Westmeath has long been a hub for not just musicians but artists of all kinds, many drawing on the unique landscape for inspiration.

Patsy is no different, and even though she has toured the entire country since leaving Belfast, the Hill of Uisneach swayed her in the decision to stay in this area.

“Although I love the coast and the sea, you couldn’t be further away from the seaside here.

“After living in a horse-drawn wagon for years, it was so difficult to decide where to be in the country, because it’s all so beautiful, but I settled on the midlands because of the Hill of Uisneach; there’s just a certain magic there that has always drawn me to it.

“Obviously, mountains are beautiful, but there’s something about the midlands – it helps you focus right down to the minuscule.

“You can see the magic in the smallest of things, and I think that is something we often miss in today’s world.

“Being in the centre of the country, but also with it being the spiritual centre of the country, it gives you a sense of being connected to the whole landscape and the whole country by being here in the middle.”

She has been a mainstay at the Hill of Uisneach Fire Festival since its inception in 2009, where she creates giant sculptures.

Often the sculptures depict Celtic gods, or features of Irish Mythology, like Celtic Goddess Tailtiu, which featured at the 2019 Festival of Fires.

“I was working at the Hill of Uisneach from the early days of the festival, and as part of that, I would have always made a big sculpture each year as part of the event.

“This is where my passion has brought me, and for some reason, I always end up making these huge sculptures.

“I just really enjoy getting people engaged with the arts who wouldn’t usually consider themselves artists.”

Like many artists, gathering funding can be a tough ask, especially during a cost of living crisis, but Westmeath County Council provide support for some artists.

Praising the them, Patsy said: “I’m so grateful to Westmeath County Council’s Arts Department, as each year I have been lucky enough to receive funding in one way or another for projects that I wouldn’t be able to do otherwise.

“For example, as part of Creative Ireland, some years ago we got funding to make costumes, which was brilliant.”

Even though it is such an important part of childhood, the art of play is something we often tend to neglect as adults, and that is something Patsy feels quite strongly about.

“When you see a child painting, they just do it for the love of it, but we lose that so much as adults and become so judgemental of ourselves.

“Don’t focus on the outcome; focus on the process and just do it. Whatever you feel drawn to, whatever materials you feel like playing with, the main thing is just to treat it as play.”

Patsy is environmentally mindful in her work, using organic materials, cement render, and recycled items.

She often aims to use the visual language of the Irish landscape and mythology to evoke a strong response from her audience.

Those interested in discovering Patsy’s work can often see it at events like the Uisneach Fire Festival, Body and Soul and Electric Picnic.

Patsy is active on social media, and on her website – instagram.com/patsyprestonart – and patsypreston.com.