For almost a decade the Margaret Seaver school of Art ran on a daily basis on the site which is now the Cherrylane Gallery. Jean McNaughton began exhibiting her work in the early nineties and during this time she studied painting under the instruction of the late Margaret Seaver (1945 - 1996). It is exciting that we have been given the opportunity to host a solo show by an artist who began her career under this same roof.

Jean has built up a loyal clientele who enjoy her wide range of subject matter coupled with her use of movement and colour. Locals will know her work well through her humorous collection of paintings depicting monks, commissioned by the renowned Hungry Monk Restaurant in Greystones.

As we know, you don’t paint what you don’t know and Jean remains loyal to this principle with her choice of subject matter for this exhibition which depicts the enjoyable aspects of her life and experience.

Rugby has been a constant theme in Jeans life with her husband Paul, and her three sons, Conor, Cormac and Cian having a keen involvement and passion for the game, while in recent years attending the races has become an alternative outlet for her sporting interest. The colours and the buzz that surrounds this pursuit has attracted Jean to express her interest in her own way on canvas.

Her still lives’ reflect things that she and indeed many women experience every day, from her favourite lipstick and perfumes, the crossword, a box of chocolates and her sons boots laid out to dry.

Her paintings are produced with soft yet vibrant colours with her choice of medium, oil on canvas. She applies the paint plentifully thus creating the effect of thick and textured highlights, contrasting with a flat and softened background.