Untitled by Moyra Blayney
We got an email a few weeks ago from Moyra, a painter living in Belfast, Northern Ireland, who had received a link to our site from a friend. After an exchange of emails, she attached a few photos of her work and we were hooked.
Moyra’s medium of choice is acrylic paint and her work, inspired by her love of the Irish countryside, is full of color and movement. We’ve been enjoying the sliding-show of her work at WOP for about a week now and never get tired of it. There is a noteworthy sense of peace in her work and Moyra’s warm and humble attitude has been a blessing as well. We had a last-minute opening for a feature and Moyra was the first-call.
Moyra started out like many artists, doodling cartoons with felt-tip pen in sketchbooks and journals. Encouraged by her family, she pursued art as a way of dealing with the stress of growing up in Belfast in the 70′s. She loved the paint-by-number kits that her parents inevitably presented her with each Christmas and buying new colored pencils for school each year was a treat that she remembers.
Through secondary school (that’s like high school in the US, but I only know that from reading CS Lewis books) and into adulthood, Moyra enjoyed reading art history and technique. Her artistic pursuits were derailed as she grew up and got a “real life,” but her passion for art hung on and she continued to read and study; trading tenacity for formal art education to become a self-taught artist.
Like many of us, Moyra filled her life with a “day job” but a desire to return to the art that she loved gnawed at her. In her own words:
I didn’t ‘do art’ for about 15 years… I always meant to… thought about it… read art books … dreamt of completing a canvas – but never, ever did anything about it. I guess I was busy with life…working hard and busy around home!
But a friend named Mark, thought that all she needed was a little push. Taking the initiative, Mark booked space for Moyra at Common Grounds, a christian coffee-house in Belfast, and informed her that there was space for 15 pieces… On opening night, about 50 of her family and friends turned up to support and encourage her… She sold 10 of the original 15 paintings… Part of the proceeds from the show went to support a local mission.
Moyra now has paintings for sale in a local art shop and is looking forward to a second show in September…
One of the things that we love about Moyra’s story is that she made a “come-back” after years of wishing for an opportunity, she was finally able to make the time to paint and to see the ways that God can work through her gifts. She describes it as a “second chance to be creative” and many of us know what that’s like. For Moyra, each new day is an adventure as she explores the possibilities for using her art to serve and bless others…
Tomorrow, a few tips that I gleaned from Moyra on being a successful, part-time artist and making a come-back after years out of the game…
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Wonderful story, Tim! Great to see the progress on your site. Seems like ages since my art was featured in June, was it? Keep up the great work. I’ve become a fan on Facebook, too! Blessings, Kathie Luther with BIG smile! ;o)