The feedback I have received since I have started doing hand-enhanced prints with Jim is always so positive from his valued supporters, they always mention how great it is that I am working with my father.
That is my primary motivation, working with my Dad, going through his extensive catalogue of work, and collaborating with him as to what the possibilities are and how they might work. It is trial and error as sometimes the intricate detail on the artwork, when it is reduced to A3 or A4 makes it challenging to work on, hence my photoshop skills come into play so I can adapt or enlarge any part of the original.
I first started adapting Jim’s work when we decided to launch a set of silk scarves, and the fun I had not only working with Jim but bouncing ideas off of his endless creative brain I found to be really rewarding.
Taking the first step
We decided to start with The Morrigan and I am still so proud of this, my first, I also appreciate the beauty of that piece so much. Hand Enhancing it gives it an extra-dimensional quality, it comes alive and I was so pleased with the reaction to it.
Encouraged by you, Jim’s supporters, I decided to do some more.
Since then we have done a St. Valentine’s heart and a Thin Lizzy Nightlife print.
A real family business
I don’t think most people realize we are a small family business. Jim obviously is the rich source of everything, but it became obvious that he needed help, so my brother Redmond set up the website about 10 years ago, luckily it went really well, but we both noticed that instead of having time to produce new and original art, Jim was snowed under with post and packaging, the cats Elroy and Leroy were useless in helping him, so Red and myself decided to step in.
Red does all the Social Media, maintains the website, brainstorms new ideas, and generally keeps us both moving and looking forward to new projects, he also does a fair amount of the posting and printing.
So I had to think about where do I fit in to help Jim. I live in Milan, Italy, as I had moved there during the financial crash in 2009, as the advertising industry in Dublin was hit hard.
We had to figure out how I could contribute from abroad.
So, the process is like this:
When I go over to Dublin, Jim, Red, and I decide which piece of art has the potential for me to work on, is it a Celtic image, a Goddess, Thin Lizzy, or the great man, Phillip.
I do a few tests and trial runs, to see what works, or importantly what doesn’t. Jim is there all the time guiding me and advising me on what works.
I want to feel proud of my work, and I want the customer to feel they have got value for money and have purchased something very unique, special, and beautiful.
So we print like mad the 25 limited editions, plus the 25 certificates of authenticity, Dad signs everything, embosses them all, and packs them up for me to take in my suitcase, it’s that simple!
When I get back to Milan, I work on the hand enhancing that has been agreed with Jim, photograph them, send them to Red so he can do his magic, and wait for them to be launched.
Our latest works
We have chosen ‘Nightlight’ and ‘Carrowmore Dolmen’ to launch just in time for Christmas.
The Nightlight is really special for me personally, as I am part of the Irish diaspora, the candle in the window has a special resonance, it always symbolizes that I am welcomed back to Ireland, to my Dad’s home, where my heart is. The hand-enhanced sprinkles of snow and touches of metallic gold and silver give it an extra glow of warmth.
The Carrowmore Dolmen with the large words of PEACE is universally important and especially in Ireland, North and South, Christmas can be stressful for some, but when I look at this image I immediately feel calm. It’s not religious but it has an ancient spiritual connection to our Celtic heritage.
When I do the actual hand enhancing, I find it very meditative. I am fully concentrated so I don’t make a mistake, I become familiar with every angle and aspect of the print, following the intricate Celtic patterns to the end.
When I finish and number them I feel huge satisfaction and I’ve a lot of hope that the person who receives this, adores it as much as I do.
