I met up recently with Vincent Keeling of the Keeling Gallery in Clarendon Street, Dublin 2.
As well as being the gallery owner, Vincent is an artist. You can find his work in the gallery as well as that of a number of other contemporary artists.
It strikes me that art is his life. He works seven days a week and can often be found late at night and during the day painting in the gallery at his easel.
Vincent started painting at an early age. Although mainly self-thought, he found he needed help with some of the skills relating to painting. A friend introduced him to artist and teacher Brian McCarthy. For two years Vincent would attend weekly lessons with Brian who is a master in the technical craft of oil painting.
Vincent left school at 16 but returned to education later as a mature student. He did a BA in English and History and then an MA in International Relations. During this time he did very little painting. When he finished the Masters Vincent returned to his true calling.
It’s very difficult to pin Vincent down to a single style or subject. He does still life, black and white paintings of famous faces, horses, abstract… The only common thread running through his art is “Oil on Canvas”. Vincent also does commissions. Although he usually does portraits of people, a recent commission involved something a little more unusual. This was a portrait of the racehorse Lambro commissioned as a gift for one of the syndicate owners.
Vincent opened the Keeling Gallery at the end of 2009. As well as original paintings by himself and other artists, he also sells limited edition prints of many of the paintings on show. Another quirky attraction at the gallery is the hand painted neckties and bow ties by artist John Kirwan, better known for his larger landscape and seascape work.
For more information on Vincent and his gallery have a look at www.KeelingGallery.com.
Liam Madden,
Irish Art News.
