Grass Trees ( triptech 85 x 150cm ) oil on canvas sold
When I started painting and drawing it was the beginning of an incredible journey of self-discovery. It was also a commitment to follow my passion and have faith in my creative ability. My art has developed through a combination of finding my personal vocation and my commitment to work as a full time artist, whatever the emotional and financial cost.
Uncovering issues around identity and a sense of belonging has always intrigued me. I am fascinated by the idea that the human race is one and that we are all cosmically connected despite geographical and cultural divides. Traveling has allowed me to recognize that, essentially, we all have the same hopes and dreams and I am touched by our shared stories. The people, experiences, colours and textures absorbed throughout many years of traveling I now express through my art. Painting the human condition from my personal point of view is about remembering and capturing inspired moments and interpreting them onto canvas or paper. Just hearing the sounds of life like the variety of bird calls echoing across the tree branches or walking on a bush trail and seeing a grass tree with its long black spikes can trigger a series of mental images that can be translated onto a canvas.
I always ask myself what is behind the surface of the image I am painting or drawing. I am conscious that the image has been created and can be seen literally, but what about the magic which has been left in the layers of paint that is unseen by the naked eye, but emotionally experienced? The materials and brushes have disappeared and been forgotten, the type of canvas that I am so particular about is no longer of concern, because now the image has a life of its own. I no longer have the thought that I created the painting. I am only an instrument to bring the painting into this world. From this personal principle the image is made real and projected into the world with the faith that the painting will stir an emotional response from a universal audience.
Looking in the mirror as I age I think back to a time when I was young and looking for direction. In those days art didn’t seem a possibility. I had an urge to travel so all my time was spent working to earn money for international adventures. I toured Ireland with distant relatives who introduced me to my ancestoral past. This journey led me to Europe where I discovered something that had been long missing in my life – culture! I soaked up the visual feast of architecture and art. I roamed galleries and cathedrals for hours on end, bathing in the creativity.
I remember standing a foot away from Michelangelo’s ‘David’ and looking up at this incredible sculpture in complete awe. A local man told me to stand further away to take in the whole visual so I could see the perfect perspective the artist had given the statue. He also told me that Michelangelo had created ‘David’ to help the people of Florence to overcome troubled times. This young biblical hero demonstrated the belief that inner spiritual strength can prove to be more effective than arms. I had just been given my first art lesson!
These memories and images were powerful and they had planted a seed in my psyche allowing me to imagine the power of my own creativity. The seed took a long time to germinate, maybe because of family and societal conditioning, lack of knowledge and confidence, but it was certainly there, waiting to be expressed. After years of pursuing other interests and searching for meaning in my life I got a little wiser and grew more confident and the urge to create finally came into being and I found myself painting and drawing constantly. To me a self-portrait is a way of looking into my soul, a tearing back of the layers of time. It’s about capturing a feeling of the essence of who I am rather than the roles I’ve played.
This video was created from a series of paintings I have completed over several years. The idea was to see how original art could be further developed and transformed into a new visual experience using the medium of digital art. The project originated from thinking about how original art combined with digital images and electronic music could be successfully projected onto a large projector screen for a live music gig.
Within this project I have explored and questioned a previous idea that has long fascinated me - what lies beneath the surface of the image? How do unseen rhythms, harmony and light effect a painting and how shapes and lines randomly meet to create new relationships. The original painting becomes a partner with the virtual canvas discovering new meaning in the work yet taking it to place where the essence of the original work still remains.
Although I am most 'at home' in the studio drawing or painting, the opportunity to try a different approach to creating imagery for a music gig has been a very rewarding experience. Thanks to Tracey from Rare Bird Flicks for assisting me with this process. We've used Leandra's beautiful flute music to enhance the visual experience. The song, 'Replace with Love' was taken from the album,'Freedoms Call'
One of the many wonderful aspects of living in Byron Bay is observing the majestic art of Surfing ! Very rarely is the connection between a human being and the power and beauty of nature better illustrated than when a surfer is riding a wave. We see many images of champion surfers taming huge waves or buried deep in a barrel. However one of the wonderful things of living in Byron Bay is watching surfers who are just beginners through differing skill levels to accomplished surfers.
Recently I was walking along Clarkes Beach on a particularly overcast afternoon when I observed a surfer doing everything in his power to stay balanced on a long breaking wave - he reminded me of a tightrope walker in high wind ! Watching this surfer moving around his board adopting different positions through a series of nimble steps, arm movements and body arches I suddenly realised it was like dancing on water !
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.
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. 
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