Painting silver birch trees, and experimenting with stitching

Tell us about yourself:

I am a visual artist working in many different media, but primarily mixed-media and textile art. I am a member of VAI, Cork Textiles Network and Kinsale Atlantic Artists.

Our make-up as human beings as a part of our greater community and environment constantly recurs in my work. I am influenced by the complexities of our relationships with each other and within our ever-changing social and natural environments.

Our social and environmental responsibility, both as individuals and as a society, creeps into my creative process again and again. It is important to me that I learn something from each of my creations and to ensure that every piece created helps to bring joy to the viewer.

Where were you born;

Wexford, in the sunny south-east of Ireland.

Where do you live now:

Innishannon, Co. Cork.

Family:

Husband - Robert, Daughter - Tara, Son - Iain and dog Luna.

Best friend:

That would be Robert, my husband. We’ve been through some tough times together, we’ve had to make some hard decisions together but he makes me laugh and drives me crazy at the same time. I know he always has my back.

Earliest childhood memory:

I can remember my mother changing me for bed when I was about 18 months old. I remember the smell of baby powder as I was lying across her lap looking into the coal flames in the fireplace.

Person you most admire:

Malala Yousafzai, the youngest ever Nobel Prize Laureate.

Where was your most memorable holiday:

In 2005, we went to a little town in the south- east of Mallorca called Cala D’Or. We spent two weeks there with a group of 35 family and friends. We had dinner in some beautiful restaurants, we lazed by the pool, we swam in the Mediterranean Sea. Oh yes, and we got married. Definitely the most memorable holiday.

Favourite TV programme:

Sky Arts’ Portrait Artist of the Year.

Favourite radio show:

Movies And Musicals with Aedin Gormley on Lyric FM.

Signature dish if cooking:

Winner, winner chicken dinner. When all the family meets up for dinner, that’s what everybody likes best. Roast chicken, roast veg , roast spuds and my secret recipe gravy.

Favourite restaurant:

Max’s in Kinsale. Best seafood EVER and always a lovely atmosphere.

Last book you read:

Peel Me A Lotus, by Charmian Clift.

Best book you read:

The Timetraveler’s Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger.

Last album/ CD download you bought:

Bill Evans’ Quintet Time Remembered.

Favourite song:

My favourite song constantly changes depending on mood, season, weather. At the moment it is Fly Me To The Moon by Bart Howard.

One person you’d like to see in concert:

Andrea Bocelli. I’ve always loved his voice. My husband bought me concert tickets for him as a gift for my 40th birthday but it was cancelled because of a sore throat. Very disappointing!

Do you have a pet?

Yes. A beautiful, crazy standard black schnauzer called Luna who I’ve fallen in love with.

Morning or night person:

Definitely not a morning person. I’m most productive mid-day/evening.

Your proudest moment:

My proudest moments have been watching my two children grow into mature, successful, intelligent and honourable people. I hope I have helped them a little bit along the way

Name one thing you would improve in your area in which you live:

I’m very lucky to live in such a lovely village but I’d love to be able to improve the affordability of housing for the younger generation here.

What makes you happy:

Painting in my studio for sure. Walking in the woods. Listening to music. My family of course.

How would you like to be remembered:

I’d like to be remembered as somebody who didn’t feel the need to follow the crowd, who wasn’t afraid to be a little bit different. I’d like to think that I’d be remembered as being honest and compassionate.

What else are you up to at the moment:

I’m just about to start a new series of paintings on very large canvases of my favourite subject: silver birch trees, which I’m very excited about. I’m also having fun exploring and experimenting with Sashiko stitching.

Facebook: maryffrenchartanddesign

Instagram: maryffrenchart

Email: ffrench.mary@gmail.com