Naomi McBride

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 »

L’Etoile

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.

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Fifty And Still Causing Trouble

03:35 pm by admin.

Saturday night had all the promise of a good night and I must say that’s just what it turned out to be. When we arrived at Ian’s  house, Ian being  the host and birthday boy, we were ushered through to the back garden. Maybe I should say at this point that the garden is a very steep affair set in four levels.
The first level is a sloped flower bed.
A set of steps led to the second level, where Ian had erected a marquee with tables laid out with lots of food, the finger sort, so that you could eat without sacrificing your drinking hand. The third level is on it’s way to being a shrubbery with a raised pond.

This led to the top level, which is actually higher the the house, where Ian has built a large shed which is perfect for sitting out of an evening to watch the sun set over the mountains.

In a very short time people started to arrive and of course everyone was drawn to the top of the garden and pretty soon it got a bit scary :). Thankfully  hunger prevailed and some went down to the food. Linda and I stayed with the drink :) . It was great seeing some old friends, like Fred and Trevor and and Ann. There were lots more but not gonna start listing them all.
A good party is about seeing friends but also meeting other people and when the drink is flowing you tend to chat to people you’ve never seen in your life before. God, I even talked to my old boss.
As the night wore on and the craic was mighty Pauline, Ian’s wife, produced the cake which was laden with so many candles she had someone follow her with a fire extinguisher in case Ian didn’t have the puff, but he did,so a major disaster was averted :)  .

Pretty soon after that when we were sure the earth was safe once again I was talking to a guy ,Dale , I think, and he mentioned he did some fire swinging. No encouragement necessary, he shot off and got his gear.
That seemed a good time to break out the drums. A girl, I must apologise for not remembering her name, had brought a large African drum and I had my Bodhran along with two other small drums.
Well, we beat the hell out of them while Dale enterained us with a great display of very impressive fire swinging .

Later on, true to form Ian got the karaoke going and there was an equally impressive display of singing, on a par with Britain’s Got Talent. Simon Cowell has already signed up two of them, at least that’s what I’ve been told.

By this time people were having a great time.
Ah time, something we neglected to consider, so we shouldn’t have been suprised when we recieved a visit from the local PSNI.
Someone had complained, well it was about 2 0′clock and we were in the back garden. They were ok about, just slapped our wrists and we went into the house to continue having a good ,if somewhat quieter night.
Check out some more pics in my Gallery, link at the top of the page

I think Linda and I left about 3 o’clock. The only down side was we lost Sunday but all in all I was a great night so ,

Happy Birthday Big Lad and Thank you for a GREAT night.

Fifty and you can still get the police out to tell you to behave!!!!

Posted in Belfast, People | No Comments »