I was born in 1971 into a family steeped in music and creative arts. My journey through life has embraced many aspects of the creative. I graduated from DCU in 1992 with a B.Sc. in Computer Applications and spent many years as worker and innovator in the IT sector. Artistically, I have two great loves - music and visual art.
Music
From an early age I veered towards the art of music, in the form of Irish harp and piano. I gained a teaching Diploma (VEC) in the Irish Harp in 1990. I was deputy harp teacher in the College of Music in the late 1980's and also taught the harp in Comhaltas in the late 1990's. My book, "Carolan's Complete Works arranged for the Irish Harp" is due for publication later this year. It contains arrangements for Irish harp for Carolan's extant airs, and metrically sets Carolan's extant lyrics to his airs in one artistic unit. Historical notes and discussions on varying styles of accompaniment for vocal melody are also provided (and much more..!). For me, the written note, and the act of writing music are both artistically and visually beautiful.
Visual Art
In the early 2000's I embarked on a journey of experimentation and attempted to capture how I perceived my surroundings on canvas. My first oil painting was of a treble clef. I paint landscapes, seascapes and abstract subjects in varying styles. I am completely self-taught and am drawn to a loose impressionist style. My philosophy is that art is an adventure - a gift of creating from your senses, that which you translate to different mediums. I have exhibited at festivals throughout Ireland, including the Wexford Festival Opera, the Kilkenny Arts Festival and my work can often be found at exhibitions and fine art auctions around Ireland. My paintings have found homes in private collections in many corners of the world.
In the media:
Dublin City Council Magazine issued on 26th Mar 2009
NTL city link TV channel on 27 & 28th Mar 2009
Exhibitions
FEB 09, CRC, Clontarf, Dublin 3
MAR 08, 09, ROSS ART, Drumcondra, Dublin 9
MAR. 07,08 ART IRELAND, RDS, Dublin 4
DEC. 07, RED STABLES, St. Anne's Park, Raheny
NOV. 07 ART IRELAND, RDS, Dublin 4
JUL. 07, KILKENNY ARTS FESTIVAL, Kilkenny
JUN. 07, TALBOT HOTEL, Wexford Festival Opera
Piping
For centuries, the one prevailing instrument of choice for the men in my family has been the uilleann pipes. Family pipers include two nephews, brother Kevin, and of the past, father Leon, grandfather Leo, grand-uncle Tom, great-grandfather William, great-great-grandfather Samuel. Many of these were also uilleann pipe makers. For more information please visit (courtesy of my brother and Uilleann Piper, Kevin): Uilleann Piping in the Rowsome Family
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