Bio
My story
Looking back as child I was creative, at the time I didn’t think of myself as creative it was just how I was, if I wasn’t making something, I was dreaming of making it, creating and designing in my head. At school I got bored easily and would drift off to my own world. A teacher wrote on one of my school reports “Margaret spends her day looking out the window day dreaming” this was never intentional, I just couldn’t help it.
Art was always my favourite class and I can remember aged four, which was probably my first time holding a paint brush in play school, feeling pure pleasure and joy blobbing the bright red paint.
Every artist has their own journey, mine started late. Despite loving art in secondary school and preparing a portfolio for art school, I found it difficult to figure out a career path in art. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be an painter or designer, a makeup artist or work in costume or set design.
I completed a BSc. in the college of Marketing and Design and worked in the sector for many years which allowed me to travel and experience the world, and although marketing was definitely a creative outlet for me, it was never fulfilling as the end goal was always commercial.
My passion for creating and painting never disappeared, I visited galleries whenever I got the chance and longed to be an artist myself and step into that world of creating. But a voice in the back of my head kept telling me that despite my love, I wasn’t good enough to succeed at it. It never occurred to me that I could learn and get better. I then believed that the ability to paint or draw well was a gift you were born with not a skill that you could develop as long as you had the desire to create inside.
The creativity drive stayed with me, during my maternity leave in my early thirties I started a millinery sideline business creating hats and headpieces something I still love to do only just for family and friends now.
It was during the restoration of our current home that my love of painting was ignited. Choosing artwork for the walls let me explore different artists works and genres. I was so inspired by the beauty of the art I encountered I was easily persuaded by friends to take a painting class in our local community centre with a wonderful teacher called Dawn Hennessy.
After that first class in 2018 I was hooked, I knew I would keep painting from there. I still feel I am at the very beginning of my journey, I have to paint now, if I’m not painting I’m thinking about painting, creating, learning and improving. Even as I write this I’m wondering if I should stop and use the time to paint in my studio.
Predominantly painting in oil, I’m drawn to nature and beauty, Inspiration comes usually from a memory triggered, It can be an item of clothing, a line from a poem that has stayed with me, a flower, a superstition or memory that transports me to a place I’d long forgotten existed. It’s the feeling thats triggered that drives me to capture it somehow in paint and preserve it. Each painting is a balancing act between how I want the painting to look and also giving a glimpse of where my imagination takes me.
Being true to myself is also very important to me, I’m inspired by many different artists but when I’m at the easel what comes out has to be mine.. the excitement for me is seeing where my paintings take me.
Ageing is a theme I’m curious to explore, I have always been drawn to old things. I live in a very old house and collect antiques and vintage items, the shabbier and tatty things that have a story attached are the things I love most.
Like a persons face, the age tells a story. I’m drawn to texture in paintings, I love the patina of very old peeling paint, faded colours and uneven patterns. I’m also drawn to withering flowers, the deep colours the crinkles in the petals.
I love portraiture, its a challenge to capture a look or expression that gives a window into that persons soul.
I grew up on a dairy farm, where being with the animals was part of my everyday, my father loved nature and wildlife and thought us how to name and recognise each bird, I love to include birds, animals and insects that are part of our everyday life in my paintings, they are symbols of freedom and infinite possibilities.
When I think of my future I know painting and creating will be a huge part of it, art came to me when I really needed something to hold on to, just for me. Where the journey takes me is not important, my reward is the joy it gives me, that same pure joy I found aged 4 in play school blobbing the red paint.
Thanks for reading.
Maggie.
Thanks to her loyal followers and collectors Maggie’s paintings are now held in private collections across the globe.
Maggie continues to hone her skills through courses and workshops with artists including:
London Fine Art Studios, The Art of Oil Painting with Ann Witheridge, 2021.
Rosso Emerald Crimsonz, London based Sicilian artist. How to paint a stunning Portrait 2022
Sinead Lawless, Path to Painting 2022, Expressive Portraiture 2023. The Schoolhouse for Art, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow.
Caroline Schofield, Life Drawing, Butler Gallery 2023
Jonathan Yeo, Portrait Painting 2024.
Maggie is currently studying for a BA (Honours) in Art History and Visual Cultures.
Maggie is a member of Visual Artists Ireland, ArtLinks and The Visual Artists Association (VAA).
Exhibitions
March 2024 Thread’s, Gallery @42 Eastbourne UK
March 2024 The Kilkenny Portrait Show, selected by Blaise Smith R.H.A.
May 2024 Bucolia Selected by Melissa O’Donnell and Anne Ryan hosted by Artform Dunmore East at Mount Congreve Gardens in Waterford.
RSVP magazine 18th Sept 2021
Carlow artist Maggie Deering’s 19th century home is the epitome of sophistication and elegance
Spotlight on readers homes RSVP Magazine
Farmers Journal, 09 December 2020
Maggie Deering shares her original Art
Interview with MFCH magazine Editor Sharon Santoni
https://sharonsantoni.com/2020/06/country-homes-around-the-world-maggie-deering/