Application deadline: 31st of October, at 4 pm.
In this weekend masterclass, O’Neill will choose luggage, which could be anything from suitcases, briefcases and handbags to form still-life compositions with an emphasis on rectangular form. The artist will discuss the potential of simple rectangular objects such as these for creation of resonant paintings. O’Neill will assemble two scenes of luggage with the group of participants and discuss his process, thoughts and concerns. This will give an insight into how to approach still-life and how to make decisions regarding arrangements, interaction of objects, negative space, light and dark.
The artist will show how the use of both artificial light and natural light can cast different shadows, shapes and atmosphere, that can be created depending on light sources. The artist will use close up views and demonstrate how in obscuring the still-life scene, the compositions can become more abstract and mysterious. Participants have the option to paint either scene in full view, or they may take a picture of an area of a composition that they choose on their phone/tablet and paint as a source. O’Neill will discuss use of a traditional view-finder and will share his own painting practice in addition to other approaches such as precise handling of paint or a more loose approach.
Aim:
The workshop intends to inform participants on how to assemble a still-life composition with more creative considerations and make a painting from it. Participants will also gain knowledge in technique through paint handling and the use of masking-tape.
Outcome: Participants will leave with a finished painting and a fresh approach to still-life.
Artist Bio:
William O’Neill’s paintings are process driven. He meticulously creates still-life scenes, which he photographs and works from. He’s interested in these still-life arrangements for their angles, shapes, the positive/negative space they create, how the objects interact with each other and their potential as subject matter.
Born in 1986 in Dublin, lives and works in Meath, Ireland. He graduated with a Bachelors of Fine Art Painting from the National College of Art and Design in 2009. In 2023 he undertook an artist residency at Joya: arte + ecología / AiR, Almeria, Spain. ‘Luminous Gatherings’ his first solo exhibition took place at Kevin Kavanagh Gallery in 2022. He was the recipient of the Solstice Visual Arts Award at Solstice Arts Centre in 2021. In 2019, he was shortlisted for the RHA Hennessy Craig Award. His first artist book, William O’Neill Paintings, was published in 2023 by Kevin Kavanagh. Recent group exhibitions include; Moments of Being, Solstice Arts Centre, 2025; 195th RHA Annual Exhibition, RHA, 2025; Surveyor 2024, Solstice Arts Centre, 2024; Bucolica Open Call Exhibition, Artform, Mount Congreve Gardens, 2024; Open Submission Group Show 2023, Dunamaise Arts Centre, 2023; Connections, Boyle Arts Festival, 2023.
