Aerial, a sculpture

My latest sculpture Aerial

was created with the support of staff of the IWA (Irish Wheelchair Association)

 at the outreach Centre in Dungarvan, which I now attend almost every week.

I needed a little help with the rolling of clay and some of the painting. 

Staff support me in whatever way they can.

Even other members became part of the project. 

Like making the little mouse at the bottom of the ladder, and the knitting of her blanket.

It was interesting to experience how the sculpture evolved 

through the influence of the centre and the people.

I had the overall shape in mind,

but as others were working with driftwood, shells and twine from the beach, 

this found its way into my work.

Thank you all who were involved!

"Aerial" is available for €350, but with the understanding that the sculpture is available for the exhibition and book launches in September 2015

To reserve her, please email me

Aerial (detail), Sculpture by Corina Duyn 2014

Aerial (detail), Sculpture by Corina Duyn 2014

Aerial 58x20x15cm, Sculpture by Corina Duyn 2014

Articles published in IWA Magazine see here 

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Articles published in Spokeout Autumn 2014 Edition

These articles: What a Difference a Day Makes; and Upcycled Wheelchair were published in the autumn 2014 edition of Spokeout the lifestyle magazine of the IWA (Irish Wheelchair Association).

If you would like to read my articles online (you can enlarge the pages etc) see Article pages
If the link does not work, go to PDF page number 29 till 31 of the magazine which can be viewed online, by clicking here

Enjoy!

And thanks for your company here on my blog.
Best wishes
Corina

PS ... Two days left of Book offer
A sculpture created with the support of IWA staff, see here 

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Dechen Shying, a place where my creativity moves into unexpected places

Prayer Flags at Dzogchen Beara

It has been already a few weeks since I am back from a stay at my beloved Dechen Shying at Dzogchen Beara, but my computer time has been taken up by working on my book project Into the Light.

Yet again it was a memorable week. 

It truly is an extraordinary place as I wrote here and here. You never know who you might meet, or what might happen.

For me it is also a place where my creativity seems to move into places I had not expected.

I was there to work on my book project and a head of a sculpture I had started recently.

The face emerged. Slowly.

I am fascinated by the fact that I use the same clay, the same method, the same tools, and yet the faces all turn out to have their very own personality. I was a little in awe of the face that came into being in this case. I let her happen.

Work in Progress © Corina Duyn 2014

One of the difficulties with staying at Dechen Shying... is that when I wake up I simply have to get up and watch the sunrise. Stunning every single time. No matter what the weather is like.
I snuggle up in a blanket and sit in the recliner chair in the conservatory off my room. Happy out!

sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean

At times I picked up some breakfast from the kitchen to eat in the conservatory, not wanting to miss the glorious views.

As always I rested lots in between work, took part in the guided meditations, if I got up in time... And chatted with guests and staff. ... or visited the cafe for overly delicious carrot cake...

even in the rain it is beautiful

One of the guests Margaret, brought me for a drive around the tip of the peninsula along Allihies. I had been told about the stunningly beautiful scenery. No word of a lie there. It was stunning. And I got see and smell the sea. Feel the wind. What a treat!

at a little beach near Allihies

the beach near Allihies

Peter Cornish who really is the person behind the whole story of Dzogchen Beara wrote a most wonderful memoir. Dazzled by Daylight The story is funny, extraordinary, trusting, heartwarming and written with such beautiful language. 

I am forever thankful that Peter and Harriet came to West Cork and bought this barren place and let it grow to what it is today.

Forever grateful.

I hope to go back early next year again, to further work on my book and art.

I can't wait.

See here for Irish Times  article  'Peter Cornish’s dream was to build a refuge from the mayhem.'

PS See here for my Christmas book offer, valid till 15th December 2014 

Into the Light has been supported by the Rehab Group Visual and Performing Arts Fund

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but you think this Blog deserves to make a presence there, 

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Books for Christmas

As Christmas time is almost upon us, please see below for some book offers.
This offer is available until 15th December 2014

• All three books for €25 (saving of €10), 
• 5 copies of Flying on Little Wings for €20 (Saving €5), 
• Cirrus Chronicles book and audio CD for €15 (saving €2.50)

All are free of postage anywhere in the world!
All signed copies. If you like them to be signed for anyone personally, please let me know, either on the order form or via email
Please use the drop down menu to place your order.
For individual book orders or art, please visit my website shop

Thanking you and wishing you a happy, Reading, Christmas!

All proceeds of sales will go towards the printing of Into the Light in 2015. Thank you.

Books

Hatched, Cirrus, Flying on Little Wings €25.00 EUR 5 Flying on Little Wings €20.00 EUR Cirrus, book and audio €15.00 EUR

Endorsements for Hatched

“Hatched” is one of the most energetic, generous-hearted, sharp-minded and inspiring books of poems I’ve read for quite a while. No matter what page you open the book I find love of life, an appreciation of life, a vibrant sense of privilege and gratitude …” (Poet Brendan Kennelly)

‘It is beautiful. Really beautiful. It gives me courage. (Dianne Mawhood)

‘I found tears rolling down my cheeks- tears of both empathy and relief. You have shared your experiences in a simple, beautiful, and human way.’ (Sue Page)

“This is a work of quality art that illustrates and tells a heartfelt story of a young artist’s struggle to make fine art and cope with the debilitating M.E. It deserves an international audience and merits a place on best-seller lists.” (Liam Murphy, Munster Express)

Endorsements for Cirrus Chronicles:

“.. I love the book …it’s very special.  I read it last night with my granddaughter Síafra…and we had a great time talking about it ….she gave it a hundred out of a hundred!” (Nuala Hayes)

“…. I love the real world around Lismore that Corina Duyn has conjured up, especially the Cloudland International Rainbow Dance Festival, where the cloud fairies dance and eat sky-blue candyfloss and drink rainbow lemonade. You may even learn Cloud-Hole-Jumping.  Who knows, but at some future date, people may come to Lismore (co. Waterford- Ireland)  to track the habitat of many of the creatures of this book.“ (Liam Murphy- Munster Express)

Endorsements for Flying on Little Wings

“Precious” (Dolores Ronayne)

“A beautiful little book with stunning photographs and thought provoking words. It can be read many times to entertain, sustain, and help keep belief in things improving.” (Sue Page)

“A striking artistic achievement. It will bring joy and admiration to many hearts and minds.” (Brendan Kennnelly, Poet)

“Gentle and Wise, the simple reassurance of nature breathing from every page.” (Spark Deeley, artist and writer)

Cirrus Chronicles on Audio.

There are only a few CD's left...


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Rehab Group Visual and Performing Arts Fund- Into the Light

Months ago I was thinking about 'boxes', society's boxes.

You know the kind...

Society wants to put us in boxes, 

and I feel I don't really fit into any of them.

This made me think about the 'Disabled' box

What struck me most was, that although in all honesty I wish wasn't ill/disabled,

the things that makes it most difficult is that one has to deal with 

Health Boards, Occupational Therapists, Politicians... 

and their, at times, non-understanding of

disability related issues.

Resulting in a continues fight...

Recognise this?

I dug through my newspaper clipping.

I found a box

and climbed out of it

Bringing my crutches...

Out of the Box, © Corina Duyn 2014, 25x18,11cm

Funny enough, my writing project also became associated with a BOX!

I am always amazed how the brain, my brain, works.

I am VERY pleased to announce though that 

my Into the Light Project is being supported 

by a "Rehab Group Visual and Performing Arts Fund"!

For the publication of a limited edition Artist Book, creation of new Art, 

mentoring, residencies, PA Support, and an Exhibition/book launch at the end of it all.

My deepest gratitude.

To Rehab, and to everyone who has already supported me in my project,

practically, or emotionally.

It is great to step out of the box- Into the Light

Out of the Box, © Corina Duyn 2014, 25x18,11cm

"Out of the box" is available for €295, but with the understanding that the sculpture is available for the exhibition and book launches in September 2015

To reserve her, please email me

Out of the Box, © Corina Duyn 2014, 25x18,11cm

The Into the Light Project is being supported 

by the "Rehab Group Visual and Performing Arts Fund”.

For more about the Fund, please see here

ps. As I no longer have a Facebook or Twitter account (find it all too confusing...) but you think this Blog deserves to make a presence there, please feel free to link it on your page. Thank you!

Into the Light

For the past year and a half I have been working on my Artist Book project Into the Light.

This project has seen many an incarnation.

I read a lot. Made many notes. 

Throughout this time, I tried to find ways to convey what I would like to share.

Ironically, the very topic living well with chronic illness (with an eye on nature and art)

challenged me greatly to find the way I was able to do this.

I have found my way.

At last!

(see also previous post)

And have found a lot of support for it. More about this very soon!!

In stead of working on a whole book, I focus on working on one page at the time.
It made it a lot less daunting!

There will be various presentations of the Artist Book:

Limited editions and more general presentations.

More about the format etc, in the next few months....

Here is a snapshot of the journey to date.

During my stay at Annaghmakerrig in 2013, I made a Mind map of my book-to-be

Collected quotes, arranged under topics.
This way I was able to work away from computer,
seated on the floor...

All the quotes...
But I could no longer work on the floor.
I had to cut up my sheets. But before I did this,
I rolled them out in my garden.
Cutting up actually made sense. They are much easier to handle now

During my first stay in Dechen Shying,
I hung some sheets in branches,
my prayer flags

One of the storyboards

And a few sample pages

Please respect copyright, as this is very much a work in progress

Thank you.

Sample pages of Into the Light © Corina Duyn 2014

Sample pages of Into the Light © Corina Duyn 2014

Sample pages of Into the Light © Corina Duyn 2014

Sample pages of Into the Light © Corina Duyn 2014

Sample pages of Into the Light © Corina Duyn 2014

Sample pages of Into the Light © Corina Duyn 2014

I look foward to hear/read your thoughts on the project!

ps. As I no longer have a Facebook or Twitter account (find it all too confusing...) but you think this Blog deserves to make a presence there, please feel free to link it on your page. 

Thank you!

Different Voices Different Rhythms, an evening of poetry and music

Different Voices Different Rhythms

an evening of poetry and music

Old Market House Arts Centre

Dungarvan 

Co. Waterford

19th September

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Twenty minutes at the time

Learning, exploring, growing, twenty minutes at the time...

After a time of really doubting how I could possibly go further within the experience of worsening symptoms,  I had to peek into my bag of tricks again...  staying within my limits even if this seemed very, very tight.  Re-adjusting.  Again. Finding new ways.  Asking for more help.

It took a very long time to reach that point of acceptance again. I got there.

"Twenty Minute Bird" 44x30x20cm
 Corina Duyn 2014

During this time I started working on a bird sculpture. A freedom bird.  20 minutes at the time. It took me five months, but here she is. For now she is called my "Twenty minute Bird".  I am open to suggestions of a better title!

"Twenty Minute Bird"- detail Corina Duyn 2014

"Twenty minute bird" is available for €295, but with the understanding that the sculpture is available for the exhibition and book launches in September 2015

To reserve it, please email me

During the past few months I also kept trying to find ways to do my writing within the given limits. To be honest had given up on my book project about a month ago. I just couldn't do it.  The amount of work scared me.

Until...

I went back to Dechen Shying. Remember the place of extraordinary beauty and generosity?

After almost deciding not to travel, I was encouraged by Dechen Shying staff and friends to go. 

I did go, and so glad I did!

Dechen shying- from Room 4. Watching the ever changing light.

Again I found peace with my state of being.

Met some wonderful people.

Slept a lot. Rested even more, wrapped in a blanket, sitting in my beloved recliner chair in the conservatory, doors open, overlooking the ever-changing light over the sea.

And... to my great  relief,  I found a way to do my writing again.  Partially inspired by the people I met, and their reactions to my books and art; partly by the Prayer flags over to courtyard near the Shrine Room; partly as a reaction to a sculpture I had started (more about that some other time) but also because I was at ease with myself at this wonderful place in West Cork.

Thank you all who made this happen!

My deepest gratitude to you all! 

Prayer Flags over the courtyard by the Shrine Room
at Dzogchen Beara

I won't tell you as yet what the book is going to look like, but I am very excited and I am working on it most days, 20 minutes at a time.

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Bounce! Arts Festival in Belfast

I won't be able to go to the Bounce! Arts Festival, but if you get there I so love to hear!!

from ADF/Bounce! "One of us will die"
What happens when a British comedian and an Australian actress fall in love,
get married and combine their skills and sharp wit?

The following information supplied by Arts and Disability Forum:

The Bounce! Arts Festival Weekender is the Arts & Disability Forum’s annual arts festival showcasing outstanding work by professional writers, directors, actors, dancers and musicians, all of whom are disabled and deaf.

Look out for new theatre work showcasing phenomenally talented artists, starting with a dynamic physical theatre performance from local company Blue Chevy called @Shadow Dancing with My Spirit’ (Thursday 28^thAugust); intimate stories about disability and body image in ‘If These Spasms could Speak’ from Robert Softley (Friday, 29^th August); ‘One of Us Will Die’ a bold stand-up show from Gareth Berliner and Kiruna Stamell (Saturday, 30^th August); and a poignant and humorous encounter with Alzheimer’s in ‘Let Me Stay’ from Julie McNamara (Saturday 31^st August).

There’s music from RoI singer-songwriter, Dylan Tighe (Friday 29^th August) and local singer-songwriter Jim McClean (Sunday 31^st August). Plus two family-friendly matinees, ‘Cirque de Ghoules’ (Saturday 30^th August) and ‘Pirate & Parrot’ (Sunday 31^st August).

Telling personal stories is a running theme throughout the festival and Tenx5 (Friday 31^st August) will extend this by sharing true-life, ten minute stories from five ordinary people around a common theme of ‘Welcome’.

Also on offer are workshops in a range of areas - from Dirty Amp electronic sound, to a theatre masterclass with Robert Softley, a chance to learn circus skills with Streetwise Community Circus and a short-form poetry session, ‘Think Small’ with Colin Dardis..

Bounce! is about resilience and bouncing back in hard times. The festival will suit anyone with an open mind, an appreciation of artistic talent and a sense of humour. Expect new experiences and new stories with an edge of frisson.

Click on Bounce! for full program details

For tickets: 

Buy online at www.lyrictheatre.co.uk

Tel 028 9038 1081

E boxoffice@lyrictheatre.co.uk

For more detailed information:

www.adf.ie

Tel 028 9023 9450

E info@adf.ie

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but you think this Blog deserves to make a presence there, please feel free to link it on your page. Thank you!

Beasts of Lismore, and other creative events

Some of the artistic events happening in Lismore this month:

I had the pleasure of meeting the artist Nicky Deeley recently in my home and studio. Nicky created an immersive experiential event involving the history, architecture, public spaces, and inhabitants of the village of Lismore. 

'The Beasts of Lismore' follows whispers of narrative trails and takes the audience on a mythical ramble through castles, follies, unfinished bridges, bottomless lakes,  mossy corners and windswept crags to find proof of the beasts existence... 

Follow the Beasts of Lismore's tracks with the self guided tour starting at St. Carthage Hall behind the Lismore Heritage Centre. Many locals, adults and children were involved in this project.

One of the "Beasts" is standing proud in my window for the duration of the event

Another creative event for the month of August is the Lismore Craft Collective a partnership between creative artisans with property owners who had vacant spaces for use. LISMORE CRAFT COLLECTIVE is the first iteration of this partnership and the first step in the Main Street Regeneration Initiative to bring life back to the heart of the town for locals and visitors alike.

The collective is made up five creative artisans from the region, JOAN CASEY – Mosaic & Felt Making, LEN CANTON – Leatherwork, JANE JERMYN – Ceramics, MORITZ SCHURMANN – Jewellery Design, and EUGENE YOUNG – Iona Crystal, each of whom will be displaying and selling their work, some which will be made while in residency. 

ps. As I no longer have a Facebook or Twitter account (find it all too confusing...) 

but you think this Blog deserves to make a presence there, please feel free to link it on your page. Thank you And thanks for stopping by.

tapestries that tell a story

Weaving is still something I love doing, after the initial excitement of learning of the for me new art. See here for the very first post about weaving

I thought, I'll put all I have done so far together on the one page.

So, here they are!

Weaving. Corina Duyn "Ontpoppen" (Poppy) 2014) 22x17cm

"Ontpoppen" is available for €300 (Framed), but with the understanding that the tapestry is available for the exhibition and book launches in September 2015

To reserve it  please email me

Weaving. Corina Duyn. "Weaver Bird" (2013) 22x13.5 cm (Sold)

Weaving. Corina Duyn. "Gaia" (2012)  18x21cm

"Gaia" is available for €300 (Framed), but with the understanding that the tapestry is available for the exhibition and book launches in September 2015

To reserve it  please email me

Weaving. Corina Duyn "Healing"  (2012) 14x11.5cm

"Healing " is available for €200 (Framed), but with the understanding that the tapestry is available for the exhibition and book launches in September 2015

To reserve it  please email me

Weaving. Corina Duyn. "Garden Poppy (2011) 11x15cm

"Garden Poppy" is available for €100 (un-framed), but with the understanding that the tapestry is available for the exhibition and book launches in September 2015

To reserve it  please email me

Weaving. Corina Duyn "Garden" (2011) 10x20cm

"Garden" is available for €75 (un-framed), but with the understanding that the tapestry is available for the exhibition and book launches in September 2015

To reserve it  please email me

...and work in progress. "What is your story..." 

Thank you for stopping by, and as always, love to hear what you think!

For images of the art shown at the Seeders Exhibition, please see here 
For my latest RE-Emerging sculptures, please see here

ps. As I no longer have a Facebook or Twitter account (find it all too confusing...) 

but you think this Blog deserves to make a presence there, 

please feel free to link it on your page. Thank you!