When did you set up your business and why?
Having always had an artistic flair as a young person growing up in Co Derry, I found myself painting and sketching in the 1990s to pass time whilst living away from home in the UK. It was no surprise when COVID-19 lockdowns occurred that I turned to art to paint landscapes in oils and acrylics.
This became a daily practice and led me to take an online abstract art course- with new techniques with lots of layering and texture. Special birthdays and occasions meant I gave family and friends a heartfelt meaningful gift. It wasn’t long before I was getting requests to create similar for others.
After working years in office environments and raising my children, I now wish to develop my business and bring my art to a wider audience. I jumped into full-time artist mode in summer 2022.
Painting continues to bring me an inner calmness, owing to hours spent in the studio creating – it is the perfect antidote to a stressful or busy life.
Can you explain your process?
I learned to paint landscapes using oils in 2012 with local artists and quickly began my own paintings outside of class sessions.
The online abstract course really brought my art to life and I wasn’t afraid to rework my paintings, editing and evaluating my work. The layers of texture and history in the painting bring it all together and encourage the viewer to explore the painting more.
What is your best-seller?
My best sellers are my fine art prints and cards with a sense of place – especially of Laytown’s Nanny Cottage (A Sky That Has No Limits) and Millmount Tower (Arise Millmount), Drogheda.
I use bright colourful paints and mark making using a knife, brushes and scraping with a plastic card or sandpaper to reveal previous layers and build further texture.
What is it about your business that brings you joy?
I adore painting and I just love to paint a special memory or place for someone. This fills me with the greatest joy to see them connect with the final piece. I paint what moves me and what I feel a deep connection with.
The sense of peace and calmness I experience at these times in the studio are so very welcome. I love every minute of this new phase in my life.
My hope is my art can find new homes and bring a sense of joy or happiness to another person.
I also love how a customer can just connect with a painting and they love it as much as I do. My hope is my art can find new homes and bring a sense of joy or happiness to another person.
What are your hopes for the next year?
For 2023, I have already organised and executed the 3rd Louth Plein Air Art Festival – a two day
event for artists to paint out in Carlingford and Clogherhead; to experience painting in the open air and meet other like-minded people.
In the new year 2024, I am exhibiting with a group of artists called The Irish Pallete in the Millennium Court in Craigavon, Northern Ireland.
What advice would you give to another start-up business?
For another artist or creative who thinks of setting up a business, I would tell them it’s possibly the best thing you’ll ever do – however, it can at times be the most stressful when trying to figure out the “business” side of things, especially with social media and changing algorithms.
I would suggest they ask plenty of questions and seek help early so they can get on with their real joy of creating.
Also, I’d advise them to be kind to themselves and not expect too much too soon. Enjoy the process: this is your dream come true.
Visit leonorareilly.com
Read more
Meet The Maker: designer Heidi Higgins
Celebrating female entrepreneurship
When did you set up your business and why?
Having always had an artistic flair as a young person growing up in Co Derry, I found myself painting and sketching in the 1990s to pass time whilst living away from home in the UK. It was no surprise when COVID-19 lockdowns occurred that I turned to art to paint landscapes in oils and acrylics.
This became a daily practice and led me to take an online abstract art course- with new techniques with lots of layering and texture. Special birthdays and occasions meant I gave family and friends a heartfelt meaningful gift. It wasn’t long before I was getting requests to create similar for others.
After working years in office environments and raising my children, I now wish to develop my business and bring my art to a wider audience. I jumped into full-time artist mode in summer 2022.
Painting continues to bring me an inner calmness, owing to hours spent in the studio creating – it is the perfect antidote to a stressful or busy life.
Can you explain your process?
I learned to paint landscapes using oils in 2012 with local artists and quickly began my own paintings outside of class sessions.
The online abstract course really brought my art to life and I wasn’t afraid to rework my paintings, editing and evaluating my work. The layers of texture and history in the painting bring it all together and encourage the viewer to explore the painting more.
What is your best-seller?
My best sellers are my fine art prints and cards with a sense of place – especially of Laytown’s Nanny Cottage (A Sky That Has No Limits) and Millmount Tower (Arise Millmount), Drogheda.
I use bright colourful paints and mark making using a knife, brushes and scraping with a plastic card or sandpaper to reveal previous layers and build further texture.
What is it about your business that brings you joy?
I adore painting and I just love to paint a special memory or place for someone. This fills me with the greatest joy to see them connect with the final piece. I paint what moves me and what I feel a deep connection with.
The sense of peace and calmness I experience at these times in the studio are so very welcome. I love every minute of this new phase in my life.
My hope is my art can find new homes and bring a sense of joy or happiness to another person.
I also love how a customer can just connect with a painting and they love it as much as I do. My hope is my art can find new homes and bring a sense of joy or happiness to another person.
What are your hopes for the next year?
For 2023, I have already organised and executed the 3rd Louth Plein Air Art Festival – a two day
event for artists to paint out in Carlingford and Clogherhead; to experience painting in the open air and meet other like-minded people.
In the new year 2024, I am exhibiting with a group of artists called The Irish Pallete in the Millennium Court in Craigavon, Northern Ireland.
What advice would you give to another start-up business?
For another artist or creative who thinks of setting up a business, I would tell them it’s possibly the best thing you’ll ever do – however, it can at times be the most stressful when trying to figure out the “business” side of things, especially with social media and changing algorithms.
I would suggest they ask plenty of questions and seek help early so they can get on with their real joy of creating.
Also, I’d advise them to be kind to themselves and not expect too much too soon. Enjoy the process: this is your dream come true.
Visit leonorareilly.com
Read more
Meet The Maker: designer Heidi Higgins
Celebrating female entrepreneurship
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