Recently my partner and I went for a walk up to the Byron Bay Lighthouse. It was a particularly calm afternoon and as we walked from the Lighthouse down to Clarkes Beach the sky was changing from a bright blue to soft orange and purple hues as the evening approached. Nature was really on showcase here and it seemed that the stillness and the calm ocean were having an affect on everyone around me. Many just sat on the sand to watch the sunset while others walked to the ambient feel that nature had created. Across the bay the magnificent Mount Warning was silhouetted against the orange sky while the sun was disappearing over the mountains. A temporary lagoon created a mirroring effect and the characters that walked on the long strip of sand between the lagoon and ocean added to the feeling of being connected to Mother Earth.Visit online art gallery
The artist studio is a place where the artist's vision and the practical implementation of art meets. Preparation of art materials and having the easel, paints and brushes in the right place ready for commencing a painting session is the first step. Almost by accident, more than by design, my dog has become a really important companion during my solo time in the studio.
The little lama as she is affectionately known, brings immense joy. All she requires are regular pats and some treats for being a good companion and not barking too much during those moments when I am "in the zone" working and when it is important that she doesn't break my concentration.
My four legged companion is a silky/maltese terrier who offers so much more in my art environment than I had previously realised. The friendship and unconditional loyalty that my dog brings into the studio makes for an enjoyable painting experience. It breaks the silent world that I must go into to create my art and often I find myself having a chat to her to make sure she's happy and comfortable. Most of the time she sleeps but the remainder of the day she literally stares at me, watching every movement I make with the brush in my hand. The real highlight of her day is a long walk along the beach, a treat she greatly deserves.
A couple of days ago I was at the vet clinic picking up cat food and a worming tablet for our beloved Kingsley. As I was about to leave, the vet emerged from one of the appointment rooms carrying a beautiful, green sea turtle. I had never seen one so closely before and asked her if I could take a closer look. She most graciously invited me back to the operating theatre where she was hoping to be able to remove a blockage caused by a plastic bag from this most amazing creature. To a sea turtle, a plastic bag looks just like a jelly fish as it swishes through the ocean waters. As sea turtles often feed on jelly fish, they also often mistakenly eat plastic bags which clog their digestive tracts.
I left the vet clinic feeling incredibly honoured to have been in the presence of this being and thought about the sea turtle often throughout the next 24 hours wondering if the operation had been a success. I stopped in yesterday to see but was told that he/she was not looking good and that is was very difficult to tell if it was even still alive as they can hold their breath for such extended periods. I was advised to check back in today which I did. I brought my camera with me hoping that I would be photographing a recovering friend. Sadly, the sea turtle died, unable to recover from it's devastating injuries. In speaking to the vet, I learned that:
In 2008, I embarked on a journey to create a gallery that would not only be good but do good. In October of that same year, with the help of some creative friends, I launched the LA Art House in West Hollywood, California. Our first show was the culmination of research and love and we filled it with emerging artists from near and far, including the musical and spirited work of Sean O’Shea. Somehow, the internet had brought us together and over the course of several weeks, we kindled a wonderful friendship. Sean’s work is lively, colorful and warm - the very qualities that define the LA Art House.
Our opening night was a wild success and we attracted many buyers and admirers to our opening including museum directors, celebrities and dear friends. As per our mission, we donated all the profits to the Hammer Museum to support “Hammer Projects” which is an international exhibition forum that showcases emerging artists from around the world. It seemed perfect that Sean contributed his paintings to our grand opening as his intrepid commitment to painting is what we celebrate here at the LA Art House. I have been blessed with the opportunity to open a space dedicated to artists like Sean who live and breathe to make art and thus, make the world a far better place. It is my hope that you find yourself inspired by his buoyant style, his sincere love for his craft and his good nature, which shine through his pictures. – Margie Perenchio LA Art House President - Oct 2009
LA Art House Opening
In June 2008 I received an email enquiring about artwork for sale on my website. She wrote,"This is an enquiry to http://www.seanoshea.com.au from: Margaret Perenchio. I really like your dancers are they oil works or are some done in pastels? What is your price range? Do you sell through the internet or are you with a gallery exclusively? Write back to me. I live in Los Angeles". I emailed back and informed Margie that the art works she liked had been sold. Margie replied explaining was planning to open a Fine Art Gallery just west of Robertson on Beverly Boulevard with her business partner in the heart of an exclusive Los Angeles neighbourhood known for its elite galleries.
I met Duncan at a small gathering where he performed with Simon Lewis from Amanaska and guest singer Monique Lewis. Duncan played my favourite songs from the latest 1 Giant Leap album, it was extraordinary to watch this multi-talented artist and musician play live. Having traveled the world with co-creator Jamie Catto recording music from a variety of cultures then masterly producing recordings of the collected music. Their music sends a message of interconnectedness, that deep down we all have the same needs of love, peace and happiness and they explore how we can come together through meeting these universal needs. In an impromptu and magical moment befitting the philosophy of 1 Giant Leap it was suggested that a short film about my art be played during intermission at this private gig. Duncan felt a connection with my work and asked if I would paint him.
The new film "What about Me?" is a lovingly crafted explosion of music and philosophy, Bono describes Duncan and Jamie as "two genius film makers.."
The snake man George has a legendary reputation for removing snakes from businesses and homes in the Byron Shire. I spotted one in my studio the other day and rang him for help. When he arrived at the studio I was told not to move around as he explained the steps we had to take to find the reptile. Standing near one of my easels the snake man instructed me to shine a torch under a dark floor board. He carefully moved through the shelves of paints and materials and then both of us heard a noise which sounded like a "shish, shish" under a low lying shelf. And there it was a black snake with a yellow belly that had followed a lizard into the studio through a crack in the door.
Although it turned out to be a non poisonous tree snake, it was still a snake and I went through all the anxieties that one experiences. I felt genuine relief to know it was a safe snake. I asked him what the experience was like to confront and catch a snake. He says he is always aware of the acute sense of danger because of the unpredictably and deadliness of certain snakes, like the brown snake. He says he has to overcome the flight impulse that is very real and that he stressed that the day that he thinks it’s only just a snake, is the time to stop. He says it always takes a long time to wind down after catching a snake.
George has been catching snakes for 13 years in Byron Bay. This is a sobering thought when one keeps in mind that the snake man has caught over 2500 snakes, the brown snake being the second most toxic snake in the world. Ultimately the snake man provides an invaluable service to the community and as he really cares for the welfare of all snakes and respects their right to exist; my tree snake was given his freedom to continue to chase lizards.
Where in the world would you find three large rocks jutting from the earth, pointing skyward like the Nimbin Rocks, in NSW? Called affectionately the Timble, Cathedral and Needle rocks in early colonial times, they appear to stand together from one point, whereas from another point they stand apart, thus creating an interesting optical illusion. They inspired me to paint them at a time of day when the sun softly peaks on their points throwing up rich brown colours on the rock surface, while around the base the grey/green tones of the eucalyptus trees with their sparse leafy tops framed these giants in all their majesty.
My friends Ono, Melissa and their young son, Johann used to live under the Rocks until recently, before they embarked on their four wheel drive road trip around the top of Australia. On the many occasions I stayed with them I was intrigued when I drove to their home, how the rocks seemed to move like a merry-go-round has I drove toward them. This important site is highly valued and respected by the local Bunjalong People, the traditional land owners and is therefore an important Australian landmark.
All Creatures Great and Small - 148 x199cm Acrylic on canvas 2009
My fascination with a tiny pufferfish washed up on the beach during a morning walk was the idea behind painting "All creatures' Great and Small". Sea creatures are a common occurrence on Byron Bay beaches and most of my friends have had similar experiences. Andrew, a seasoned surfer from Lennox Head always talks about these creatures and other interesting objects he encounters while exploring the ocean and what it throws up onto the land. He describes the sea like a Pandora's box full of beautiful things, as well as strange dangerous creatures that come in all shapes, sizes and colours. His favourite remains the pufferfish which we tend to take for granted, even though it has a unique and delicate shell structure.
Often artists talk about their art finding its true home and for me that is the most satisfying part knowing that the new owners of this painting are wonderful people. To think that this small sea creature found by chance on the beach is now a large painting that hangs in a house which over looks the ocean. When it was was planning to hold a acoustic session at the studio, it was suggested that I hang the painting behind the musicians as a back drop. The couple who bought the painting were there to enjoy the acoustic session. The music was so beautiful and moving that all the singers and musicians began to interact with the painting which seemed to bring it to life. Although not tangible, I believe the vibes of the music will stay with the painting forever.
The artist studio is a place where the artist's vision and the practical implementation of art meets. Preparation of art materials and having the easel, paints and brushes in the right place ready for commencing a painting session is the first step. Almost by accident, more than by design, my dog has become a really important companion during my solo time in the studio. 
Where in the world would you find three large rocks jutting from the earth, pointing skyward like the Nimbin Rocks, in NSW? Called affectionately the Timble, Cathedral and Needle rocks in early colonial times, they appear to stand together from one point, whereas from another point they stand apart, thus creating an interesting optical illusion. They inspired me to paint them at a time of day when the sun softly peaks on their points throwing up rich brown colours on the rock surface, while around the base the grey/green tones of the eucalyptus trees with their sparse leafy tops framed these giants in all their majesty. 
Art Blog