Blackwater Valley Makers will host an exhibition by Deirdre Dunne, an artist based in Co Limerick at the foothills of the Galty mountains.

She studied at the Crawford college of Art in Cork and graduated with a honours degree in painting.

Since then she has bicycled through Asia, Europe, The Middle East, and Central America, as well as working as a tour guide in Africa and Australia. Throughout these experiences she has been continuously sketching and painting images from the countries she encountered.

She has exhibited all over Ireland, and was featured on Nationwide.

She is best known for her paintings of cattle, as she grew up on farm in Co Laois. But her experience in Africa has given her a love of painting more exotic animals.

"I work in oils and build up layers of colour gradually. I enjoy using strong bright colours, but I like to have a strong contrast of dark, moody tones incorporated.

My subject matter varies a lot, but my focus is to capture a moment in time. I love working on fine detail, and then contrasting this with a loose, soft background.

My studio/gallery is open to visitors. I also have prints of my paintings available."

www.deirdredunne.weebly.com

Blackwater Valley Makers is open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm. Deirdre's opening night begins at 6pm on Friday 10th March. All are welcome.