09:19 pm by admin.

Paddy is one of those people who you happen upon on rare occasions. He is a genuine, honest , take me as you find me guy. We first met Paddy through my son’s inviting him to a fancy dress party we had one Halloween.
The theme was Harry Potter and surprisingly everyone turned up in character, even if by accident. I went as Snape, my wife went as McGonnigle and we had a Harry Potter and Herminie. Along with a Dumdledore and a Dementor we had Paddy. As the night wore on and a few’ lemonades’ had been taken, I sat down to chat to Paddy ” Great outfit”I said to which he replied “Thanks but I was told just come as I was and if anyone asks tell them your Hagrid, I’ve never seen Harry Potter.” and that was how I met Paddy.

Since then we have met Paddy on numerous occasions and have got to know him fairly well.We discovered that he is an artist of sorts because to call him just an artist is to sell him short . By his own description he is an Explorer, Inventor and a Plumber at least that is what it says on his calling card.

Although this piece is about Paddy I must at this point out that a lot of his work is done with his friend Nicky Keough, who I hope to speak to in the future.
Where to start, to do this in chronological order just won’t work, so it seems appropriate that it is done as and when something comes to mind.

The Bin Boat.
October 2005 saw the launch of, probably on of the strangest boats ever to grace the water. When i heard about it from my son I said ” Wise up , you can’t sail a boat made of that sort of stuff” but I was wrong. Not only did they sail but they showed it off at an art exhibition called ‘ The Nature of things’ . Nothing too out of the ordinary there except that it was a long weekend in Venice at the Venice Biennale and they sailed the boat on the canals. Wonder what the local Gondoliers thought of that
Oh, I’ve just realised I haven’t told you what it was made of, how remiss of me.So just in case you wanted too cook one up yourself I have the recipe

3 baths
2 industrial wheelie bins
1 wheelbarrow
1 washing machine
3 road signs (large)
1 Mr. Lister engine (larger)
3 oil drums (large) divide with yolks .

Add music gradually
Mix stubbornly in shed with radio four on medium to high
Stick with yolk
Serve on wheels until nearest river.
I believe this recipe is open to interpretation

Another thing he was involved in with Nicky Keough was the Disco Bin. It is literally what it says on the tin. A Disco In a Bin. Shown for the first time in 2004 it soon had people gathering round to see what it was. With the capability of moving round the streets it sure caused a stir. Not only was it shown in Belfast, the streets of San Sebastian and a few other places had the somewhat strange pleasure of seeing The Disco Bin.
One invention we had the the pleasure ,and I use that word loosely, was the Mobile Music Machine.
My son was moving to Bristol with his family so he decided to have a barbeque.His ex employer John from Helen’s Bay Organic farm very kindly let him use a field he was resting. Anyway we all turned up and started to have a drink or two and got the fire going and the grub cremating. “Paddy’s doin the sounds ” we were told by my son and sure enough Paddy arrived on que.
Out from the back of a van (no, not the back of a lorry) he pulled, with help, a contraption that looked liked an exercise bike gone wrong.
It consisted of two bikes side by side on a stand, in between was a collection of music machines. I think there was a CD player,mixer,tape player etc; and it was all hooked up the the alternator of a car. There were other bits and bobs I understand nothing about but it played all the music we could feed it.
The only drawback for me was I had to take my turn pedalling to charge the thing up. Well it wasn’t long before the drink died in me and when I got off my legs said goodbye but Paddy is all about involvement and effort so you gotta make the sacrifice.

Paddy is involved with numerous projects and no doubt will be involved with many more, he works out of The Lawrence Street workshops along with other artists who like himself believe in that art is for Joe Bloggs. He is also a contributor to The Vacuum, an avante gard magazine that really needs to be read to be believed.

Recently he has exhibited in The Naughton Gallery at Queens University, a piece called The De-Elevator. This is what the review said

‘Paddy Bloomer, (born Banbridge, 1976) also works with metamechanics, the term often applied to the work of French artist Jean Tinguely (1925-1991), perhaps the best known of the 20th century?s exponents of mechanical kinetic art. Bloomer is part of the tradition that Tinguely described as the use of ?assemblages of industrial detritus to burlesque effect”. He works out of the Lawrence Street Workshops in Belfast and describes himself as an artist, explorer, inventor and plumber?. Often collaborating with fellow artist Nicky Keogh, previous projects have included an exploration of Belfast sewers, a bin disco, an alternative portaloo and the construction and sailing of a gondola made from skips, bathtubs and other recycled materials as part of The Nature of Things: A Long Weekend, Northern Ireland at the Venice Biennale in 2005′.
The De-elevator, a site-specific, interactive machine initially envisioned as a large scale gramophone, continues Bloomer’s exploration of innovative uses of mechanical principles and alternative energy sources. The piece uses clockwork mechanisms and harnesses the potential energy of the gallery visitor. The outsize escapement mechanism provides a platform for Bloomer?s trademark industrial whimsy using found and re-cycled elements.

Paddy also does bike tours along with Austin Brown. These are no run of the mill tours. You never quite know where you will end up. Prizes are given out for things like ‘The noisiest bell, the most unfashionable bike’ well you get the picture.

I could go on for ever but I won’t but if you want to find out more about paddy just Google him there is lots about him on’t tinter web

Posted in Northern Ireland, Belfast, People | 1 Comment »

10:01 pm by admin.

Naomi is someone who right from the start knew that art was where her future lay. When I was researching her I soon realised that she was someone with a wide variety of talents. People, in general, tend to fix their sights on one thing and go for it, but Naomi searched until she found where she wanted to be and I think, after a few twists and turns she has arrived there now.
Where I think her strength lies is in the fact that she refuses to be corralled into a cage. She meets all her challenges head on and masters them, learning from each twist and turn along the way. Having said that, her journey has not been easy but I think even she would say she would not have done it any other way.

But enough wittering from me let her tell you herself

Hi Naomi,

Thanks for doing this as I am sure you’re busy.

Q. “Have you always wanted to be an artist?”

A. ” Ever since I was tiny I assumed I would make my living in art of some sort. I always was drawing and painting.  A great way never to be bored as an only child.  My certainty took a bit of a hiccup when I left art school after my foundation year and did a university degree in art history instead, and then worked in Sales and Marketing  for 10 years, but it all stood me in good stead for the art career I have ended up with. “

Q. “What did you parents think of your choice of career?”

A. ” They gave me unending love and support; my father was an enthusiastic amateur artist, as well as being an actor, so was delighted that I continued the family tradition.  My parents were not quite bohemian but not quite mainstream either, so the prospect of my possibly not making shed loads of money didn’t faze them. They just wanted me to be happy. “

Q.  ” You work in illustrating, restoration, on canvas and other areas why so many?

A. ” I wish I had done illustration at art school, as I have ended up doing a lot of that.  But when I got back into art, when I returned to Northern Ireland 25 years ago, I started by doing what is poshly called faux finishes – acres of marbling and so on, then that progressed to murals, and I sort of got a name for being able to paint and plagiarize anything.  And I call myself a commercial artist so I’m happy with that – and I do love the variety . Low boredom threshold, maybe. “

Q. ” Do you find it difficult switching back and forth from one style to another? “

A. ” No. Adore it.  I love looking at different sorts of painting and figuring out how it is done.

Q. “Apart from you web site do you advertise or does your reputation precede you? ”

A. “Word of mouth has always been my main work provider, but times have changed and I am conscious of the new way of marketing – hence the website which is beginning to pay dividends. www.naomimcbride.com if anyone wants to commission me. “

Q. ” Was it hard in the beginning? ”

A. ” Oh God yes.  Phoning up people who have never heard of you and trying to describe to them a process they also have never heard of i.e. marbling – I was the first to reintroduce it to N Ireland back in the ‘80s.  Excruciating.  But folk here are kind enough not to put the phone down on you, and eventually I got a job and it snowballed from there. “

Q. “Over the years you have received quite a few prestigious commissions, if you can could you pick a favorite? ”

A. ” The painting in Antica Roma, the Italian restaurant on Botanic Avenue.  I     was very proud of that and sad to see it go.  And the  restoration work I’ve been involved with recently ,a former chapel in Lismore, Co Waterford , St Peters Pro Cathedral and recently the paintings behind the altar in St Malachy’s.   It’s wonderful to see painting coming back to life, and also I have happy memories of the clients, the people on site, the whole experience… there are many such commissions. “

   Q. ” I have seen some of your canvas work and it seems you like to do some ‘In the style of work’ is this especially difficult thing to do without falling back into your own style? “

A. ” No.  I’m much happier working in other people’s style.  I would have made a good forger. If anybody has a decent  forging offer, just call me.

   Q. ” Tell me about The Dodo Pad.

  A. ” This is a wonderful, week-at-a view diary, with drawings, riddles, jokes and flights of fancy based on obscure anniversaries noted on each page and then illustrated.  It’s been going for 40 years and is a venerable institution and the brainchild of a well-known  English writer and illustrator, the late  Sir John Verney who devised a diary in which you could doodle while listening to boring people on the phone.  Hence Lord Dodo of Doodle and the Dodo Pad.  I am the current compiler and keeper of the eternal flame, and I haven’t enjoyed doing anything as much ever in my life. Available in Waterstones Belfast and at www.dodopad.com

 
  Q. ” Do you get much free time and what do you do to chill out? “

A. ” Not much really.  I seem to fiddle around in my studio a lot.  I adore to cook for friends, and then go hill-walking with my husband to burn it off. And listen to music.”

Q. ” What is your preferred medium? “

 A. ” Oil is bliss but usually too slow to be practical.”

   Q. “What about the future? ”

A. ” Planning the next week is as far as I usually get.  Apart from when I win the lottery and can advance my plans for world dictatorship and put a few things right.
I just muddle along really,  and am grateful to have spent the last 25 years doing what I love and having met a great bunch of people along the way.”

Posted in Northern Ireland, Belfast, People | No Comments »

07:20 pm by admin.

L’Etoile is a little gem of a place on the Ormeau Road. Not having been to Paris we can’t confirm this, but we are reliably informed that it is very reminiscent of the cafes and bistros off the main drag in the Montmartre area of that city.
The pleasant experience starts even before you go there because it is a BYOB restaurant, (Bring Your Own Bottle), so you have all the wine from your favourite offy to choose from.

At this point we would like to advise you to pre book a table as it is usually busy and you don’t want to be disappointed by not getting a table at the time you want.

The decor is very cosy and you feel comfortable as soon as you walk in. There is a definite French feel to the place with the green and gold decor and some very interesting pictures and ob je da ( I think that’s how it’s spelt ) around the walls.

The atmosphere is warm and welcoming and the waiting staff are very friendly and helpful.
They give you a minute or two to settle at your table before coming over to take you order from a menu that, while not extensive has something that should please most people. As you sit and wait for your starter, the waitress/waiter will bring your opened wine bottle so that you can have a little drink while you talk.
The staff are attentive but not intrusive. There is an upper part the the restaurant  which is just as cosy as downstairs. The main advantage to this is it’s nearer to the loo LOL.

While you enjoy your meal you can hear an eclectic mix of  classic french music fused with french jazz, strange but intriguing.
It’s not all romantic couples who frequent the place, you will also get tables with parties as well, so the background noise is of people enjoying good conversation and craic.
Because of this the secret romantic couples can talk and look into each others eyes and become invisible to everyone except them selves.

One other thing we liked about the place is that if you book for about nine o’clock when it come to dessert you can always say that you would like a little break before serving to allow your main course to settle first.

All in all eating at L’Etoile is a really nice experience.

Posted in Northern Ireland, Belfast | No Comments »