Ballybofey woman Veronica Maguire has launched a first-of-its-kind solo exhibition in Letterkenny for September.

Artist Veronica Maguire is showcasing Ireland’s first all-alcohol ink painting exhibition in An Grianan Theatre from 3rd September to 1st October 2018.

Veronica was born in London and presently lives in Ballybofey with her husband Christopher. She discovered her love of painting later in life after first establishing her career in hairdressing.

Veronica comes from a very strong female artistic influence, especially her sister, Bernie and her daughter Bernice, very talented artists in their own right.

Veronica Maguire

Frustrated by the difficulty of academic work, which was hindered by her dyslexia, Veronica left formal education at 15 years old to train as a hairdresser and set up her own hairdressing business at the age of 18 years.

This motivated and creative young woman was first introduced to art in Primary School and on her walks to school as a child, Veronica was intrigued by the craftwork and designs on mouldings on the old Victorian buildings in London.

Her artistic soul and eye for design was further nurtured by a course undertaken as the the result of New Year’s resolution she made with her sister and a friend, to begin doing an art course in St.Columba’s College in Stranorlar, Co.Donegal in 2000.

Veronica then joined her local art group called “The Fiach Art Circle”, and was involved in about 20 group exhibitions. She has also been selected to be in several other group exhibitions in Letterkenny, Derry, Carndonagh and The Glebe Gallery in Churchill.

While Veronica is, in the main, self-taught, she has attended several artists’ residency programmes and has painted both in Mayo in Ireland and in Croatia, Turkey, France and Austria.

The new exhibition in Letterkenny is an exploration of vividly coloured paintings inspired by the flora and fauna of Donegal as well as Veronica’s many travels around the Mediterranean.

What makes the work unique is the materials used.

Veronica said: “Alcohol inks have a unique way that they move on some surfaces and interact with other fluid surfaces. The less porous the surface, the more these inks work their magic.

“There is a resonance that can happen between the inks when additional alcohol is added, that feels to the artist like the inks are painting themselves.”

Make sure to check out this vibrant exhibition in An Grianan Theatre Letterkenny from 9.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday, 3rd September – 1st October 2018.