As an artist, Alec’s illustrations often take inspiration from Nick Sharratt and Georgie Ripper, both children’s book illustrators. Alec also greatly admires Richard Shilling, Dorothy Cross, and Andy Goldsworthy, as he has a great interest in nature and natural forms. His design work tends to focus on highlighting relevant social issues.
Alec likes to experiment with different mediums and materials. He particularly enjoys working with charcoal and chalk pastels as they are quite malleable materials to work in. They can also easily render objects in a blurry distorted manner, and key details can then be picked out with pencils.
He also likes to use pen and digital media. The sketch-like erratic quality present in much of his use of line and texture emulates the natural movement and vibration of static objects over time while also touching on feelings of anxiety and stress over the possible outcomes, as well as the near infinite routes of possibilities that these changes might result in.
Alec currently has collective membership at A4 Studio Sounds, a non-profit artist-run workspace and gallery.
Mar ealaíontóir, is minic a fhaigheann léaráidí Alec inspioráid ó Nick Sharratt agus Georgie Ripper, an bheirt maisitheoirí leabhar leanaí. Is breá le Alec Richard Shilling, Dorothy Cross, agus Andy Goldsworthy freisin, mar tá suim mhór aige sa dúlra agus i bhfoirmeacha nádúrtha. Is gnách go ndíríonn a shaothar dearaidh ar aibhsiú saincheisteanna sóisialta ábhartha.
Is maith le Alec triail a bhaint as meáin agus ábhair éagsúla. Taitníonn sé go háirithe le bheith ag obair le gualaigh agus pastail cailc mar is ábhair intuargainte iad le hoibriú iontu. Is féidir leo rudaí a rindreáil go héasca freisin ar bhealach doiléir saobhadh, agus is féidir sonraí tábhachtacha a phiocadh amach le pinn luaidhe.
Is maith leis peann agus meáin dhigiteacha a úsáid freisin. Déanann an caighdeán erratic cosúil le sceitse atá i láthair i gcuid mhaith dá úsáid líne agus uigeachta aithris ar ghluaiseacht nádúrtha agus creathadh rudaí statacha le himeacht ama agus ag baint úsáide as mothúcháin imní agus struis thar na torthaí féideartha, chomh maith leis na bealaí gan teorainn féidearthachtaí a d'fhéadfadh a bheith mar thoradh ar na hathruithe seo.
Tá comhbhallraíocht ag Alec faoi láthair ag A4 Studio Sounds, spás oibre agus gailearaí neamhbhrabúis arna rith ag ealaíontóirí.
Pen and pastel still-life drawing composition exploring the passing of time and the juxtaposition between natural and man-made forms. Some inspiration taken from 'The Ambassadors' painting by Holbein.
Post-apocalyptic themed project resulting dry-point etching inspired by the phrase "ashes-to-ashes, dust-to-dust", and mycelium's role in decomposition and creating life from death and decay.
Rat holding strawberry sculpture in air-drying stone clay.
Project for festival postal advertising packaging creation.
Risograph print with Augmented Reality (AR) promoting women's rights and gender equality as part of Limerick School of Art and Design's 'Women’s Rights Are Human Rights' exhibition for International Women’s Day 2022.
This project aims to communicate the story of St. Bridget and her cloak through imagery. Inspiration was taken from popular myths and folktales surrounding nature to conceptualise and create an engaging composition that tells the folktale. Artists researched included Edward Hopper and Nene Lonergan.
Project Brief from DrawOut Limerick:
IMPAKT focuses on the relationship between art, society, media, and technology. Using these mediums, creators commentate on pressing political, social, and technological issues in the world.
This project is to promote a more inclusive and considerate society. Those with dietary requirements deserve easy access to establishments that cater to their needs.
Poster commission for Small Trans Library for Dublin Pride 2022, inspired by and required to include an excerpt from Becky Cheatle and Allie O'Rourke's short-film, 'Punch Line'. Part of exhibition in Smock Alley Theatre's Boys' School.
Painting commission for the Student Life building in UL for 'Limerick Pride' 2022.
Pyrography artwork focusing on animals, nature, and the Irish language as subject matters. Decorating door signs, cheese boards, bread boards, and a hip-flask.
Superhero puppet design inspired by exploration of examples of reflections. Final puppet made from wire, newspaper, masking-tape, wooden rod, hot glue, and acrylic paint.
The logo for the Trans Limerick Community takes from symbols of community: People sitting together, smiling, round shapes for continuous support, etc. The “;” semi-colon symbol is present to represent strength and the continuing of lives and stories from pre- to post-transition.It also encompasses the transgender symbol with the combination of the male/Mars and female/Venus symbols. This is often also used to represent gender inclusivity also so it is the ideal inspiration for this community social group.
Native Irish mushroom sketches. References from IrishLichens.ie
Applications / Software used: InShot (phone), Adobe Photoshop (laptop/computer), Procreate (iPad app)...
"The Abbey Theatre Summer Season 2021 will feature a stage adaptation of ‘Calvary’, written and directed by John Michael McDonagh."
Media used: Pen, charcoal, chalk pastels, graphite pencil, coloured pencils, watercolour pencils, arcylic paints, lino printing, chine-collé...
I love nature and like to show my appreciation for the natural world through art and photography...
Advertising campaign for mental health awareness. This concept is represents struggles with mental health as a puzzle. Rubik Cubes can be hard to solve and deal with. Like mental health issues, they can seem unclear, stressful and confusing. However, it is possible to overcome it and solve at least some of the problems causing stress.
The aim of this project was to design something to help children and families in seeking asylum who are stuck in Direct Provision to have the means to learn through play.
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