Kieran Desmond

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Kieran came to be on a sunny London morning back in the spring of ‘84’. His Irish parents, who had grown up in the counties of Cork and Galway respectively, independently set off to London to find work as teenagers. Mr Desmond’s serendipitous origins don’t stop there.

43 years previously, during the blitz, his grandmother from Connemara on the coast of Galway was over here working and living in a hotel in Kings Cross. One Friday night she and a friend wanted to go out to a club in North London but since it was against the rules of her employment was firmly told she couldn’t go. Disregarding her boss’s instructions, they sneaked out anyway and went dancing through the night. When they returned in the early hours of the morning, they found the hotel had been bombed to the ground. The Art Man sums it up perfectly. “I’m really lucky to even exist, I thank my lucky stars my gran loved to dance and disobey orders...”

Kieran grew up above the Newton Arms, a community hub and watering hole run by his parents. Helping out was the name of the game and in this way got to see what it really takes to run your own business. “Watching them work so hard for what they have has certainly instilled in me a lasting entrepreneurial spirit...” However, rather than pulling pints, these days the pipes lead to dreams of becoming an independent artist.

Thanks to a once in a lifetime offer, his parents were able to sell the business and retire early. This gave a young Kieran the time and freedom to go travelling and take in some of the spectacular treasures the Southern Hemisphere has to offer. Along the way he was able to spend some quality time in the Philippines, Thailand, New Zealand and Australia.

Back to the here and now and our future looks just as rosy. The ethos behind our collaboration is simple, we both want to reach out with our art, so why not be smart and join forces. In order to cross-pollinate our creative flows, I thought why not join Kieran on his quest to have his own show. It is from this origin that the concept has grown.

The vision consists of a show of our works exhibited side by side, mutually exposing our might as we realise our first collaborative dream-works production. The mutual milestone should hopefully empower us further, as we won’t want to let each other down. I find this to be the most motivating aspect to realise. This is why there is strength in numbers.

In the meantime I hope to learn what I can from the man that knows all about letting it flow. His painting style is an organic expression of his attitude to life, to trust the happening and just keep going.

With deliberate intent he imposes just enough to allow the process to occur naturally each time. Every painting is an organic happening, a melding of elements as the paint, the canvas, gravity and time dance themselves into existence.

Using acrylic paints blended with a pouring medium, he applies the colours to the canvas from above. Using a multitude of techniques and tools, from ordinary paint brushes, to straws and sponges. Pretty much anything that can leave an interesting impression is a potential tool.

Kieran’s philosophy clearly mirrors his artistic process. “From the buzzing bee to the hum of the spinning fan, glide forth and all will be well...” This approach is led by his innate faith in the nature of the universe, riding the waves of chance without a glance in the rear view.

Having got myself on the map thanks to my website and social media output, I am well placed to share what I’ve learned with Kieran, saving him time and money as he builds up his own artistic empire.

I find, whether or not it’s true, it’s certainly worth believing: that all obstacles can be overcome. Mr Desmond has some words of encouragement for anyone wishing to do just that. “Lets all make use of our extreme talents as we utilise them to the fullest. It’s our time, so get on your loop and start moving forward...”