2011: ARTIST PROFILE - FRANK O'DEA. NewsFour. April/May 2011.
I'd like to recommend an artist called Frank O'Dea. You can check out some of his work on www.frankodea.net or at Balla Bán Art Gallery. I was impressed with his work and decided to get in touch with him.
Frank (right) was born in Dublin in 1966 and from an early age had an interest in caricatures and cartoon drawing. In recent years he has moved away from the caricature drawing and started painting in oils. His subject matter is based on his personal interests with musicians, cafe/bar scenes, fashion models and lovers - all of which he was able to observe in abundance when he used to play piano bars and restaurants in Dublin. He has also done a lot of travelling in South America and continental European cities.
You can see he has developed his own unique style in the use of vibrant colours in his work. He says "The extremely intense bright oranges draw the viewer towards the work and instantly remind one of summer and warmth by radiating a happy glow". Frank is achieving a growing recognition from art buyers in Ireland and internationally with his works in private and public collections in the UK, Switzerland, Germany, Japan, USA and Australia. He works from his studio in Clontarf and at his Balla Bán Art Gallery (which is the Irish for 'white wall'), located in Dublin's Westbury Mall (off Grafton Street).
The 'Kris da Bug' collection is on view in the window of the Balla Bán Art Gallery, featuring such vintages as 'Patricia's Paint Stripper'; 'Lady in Red' and 'Rosanna's Rose', named in honour of Rosanna Davison. Frank being an avid Chris de Burgh fan, warns "consumption of this wine could leave you high on emotion".
Frank is also a big fan of K T Tunstall (above) who he recently met with in Dublin on Monday 21st February prior to her gig in the Olympia Theatre. 'The girl with the red guitar' is Frank's latest painting and my personal favourite and it was inspired from a previous gig of the Scottish singer/songwriter. The painting is now on view at the Balla Bán Art Gallery. The gallery is open from Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 6pm (and to 7pm on Thursdays).
Frank also exhibits at the November Art Fair Showcase in the RDS and at the People's Gallery Outdoor Exhibition, Stephens Green every June, August and September. His works also sell at Kenny's Gallery, Lahinch and occasionally through a number of fine art auction houses in Dublin and Cork. A limited number of his paintings can also be viewed/purchased at 'D Four Urban Cafe', Upper Baggot Street, Dublin 4, and at 'Il Fico Italian Restaurant, Chatham Row (off Grafton Street) - two doors down from 'Butlers Cafe'.
Contact Frank O'Dea by email odea.frank@gmail.com or text 0876622234. Prices start from as little as eur50. Drop in for a coffee and a little browse in Ireland's smallest gallery!