Sheila Wood is a full time artist residing in Listrolin, Co. Kilkenny, 10 miles outside Carrick-on-Suir. Sheila graduated from Camberwell School of Art, London in 1970 in Fine Art, Illustration, Printmaking and History of Art. Sheila has taught and painted ever since working on a variety of different subjects in several media including oil on canvas, stained glass, pottery.
She has exhibited regularly in open exhibitions in England and has had many solo exhibitions and taken part in various group shows in Ireland and England. Sheila currently displays a selection of her work in the Tudor Artisan Hub and has been a member since we opened May 2014. Over the last 10+ years, Sheila has been involved in numerous public art projects for the Town of Carrick on Suir. Her outdoor murals have attracted much acclaim. In 2021 Sheila completed an abstract mosaic surrounding the bicycle stand at Carrick-on-Suir’s Sean Healy Library with artist Marguerite Kent. Sheila has collaborated on numerous projects with writers, musicians and other artists over the years via the Hub. Sheila also works in a wide-range of mediums, and again can literally turn anything into a piece of art, nothing is wasted!!
Sheila has a huge fan-base in the Hub, her work is highly sought after and has been shipped around the globe.
'A look into the Art of Sheila Wood' A very special short film capturing a unique look at phenonmenal artist Sheila Wood working in her own studio space in Listrolin, Co. Kilkenny and chatting about how she creates.. directed and produced by the amazingly talented team of 2nd year Students, LIT - School of Art and Design, Clonmel Campus - Bryan Stapleton, Corey O'Dwyer and Alana Kate Twomey...This film was produced just before Summer 2019...all these students are now in 3rd year and well on their way. We would like to also thank Marie Walsh, Lecturer LIT for inviting the Tudor Artisan Hub to be part of this project. It was an amazing experience for us all.
This beautiful artwork capturing a traditional Irish music session in Delaney's Pub, Slate Quarries by renowned local artist Sheila Wood arrived into our art galleries 12 October 2024
Title: 'And John was playing the Piano, Delaney's Pub'. Dimensions: 34" x 26"
In the artwork Sheila captures a music session with Liam O'Shea on flute, George Daniels on Fiddle, Eddie Malone, the Banjo, the late Mick McEvoy on Accordion and the late John Delaney was playing the piano.
This original painting beautifully encapsulates the essence of an atmospheric music session in Delaney's Pub... bringing to life the vibrant energy and communal spirit that defined these gatherings. The artist's use of rich, earthy tones evokes the warmth of a traditional pub, where musicians and listeners alike are enveloped in the harmonious blend of fiddles, flutes, accordions, bodhráns and the piano. Each figure in the painting is meticulously detailed, capturing the intense concentration of the players. The dim lighting and rustic setting transport the viewer to the cosy corner of Delaney's Pub, where the music was both a celebration of cultural heritage and a heartfelt expression of camaraderie. This artwork not only portrays an iconic scene but also invites the onlooker to experience the joy and connection that Irish music sessions uniquely offered in this renowned pub.
Delaney's pub closed its door in 2019 and John sadly passed away in 2023. Delaney's Pub was a treasured establishment where generations of musicians, singers, performers, and dancers frequented and enjoyed these music session. Thank you Sheila for capturing this piece of social history igniting personal memories for so many people and thank you John for creating such a magical place and for your contribution to Irish culture through music, song and dance.
Samples of artwork by Sheila Wood currently available to purchase in the Hub (January 2024)
sold
Man Reading
The Comeragh Mountain
'Session in Delaney's Pub' Art Mural - painted by Sheila Wood 2011 as part of the Clancy Music & Arts Festival, is located in the Tudor Artisan Hub, 42 Main Street, Carrick-on-Suir.
This is a little piece the artist wrote about her memories of Delaney's Pub, whose doors are now closed.
"This is my abiding memory of the place when we first ventured through the double doors on the evening of March 4th, 2004. It never changed during that time, and I'm sure hadn't altered a deal since his father and grandfather before him.
On a mission to replace our much missed weekly 'fix' of traditional music and fill the gaping void caused by the closure of 'Murphy's, (a Mullinavat pub famous for excellent sessions on a Saturday night), a friend suggested 'Delaney's' pub at the Slate Quarries.
John Delaney's establishment fitted us like the comfiest of old walking boots. The music in the place was never traditional in the purest, fascistic sense of the word, but totally eclectic, in a wonderful, unique, embracing way, joyful and accepting of all musicians, from the most banana fingered, tone deaf, enthusiastic beginner to a classical violinist who told the enraptured lucky few on one particular night that his last performance had been in front of the President of France! He sat next to George Daniels and I lent him my very battered 'Foinn Seisiun' book and glancing at the music he just said "What Tempo?" .......George, not famous for a gentle pace and certainly no fan of 'Slow Airs' was happy to show him! The violinist went back to Paris delighted!
In my time there I have been entertained by music lovers from around the world. Everyone was encouraged to take part 'Do you have a song, story, poem? Lend him your guitar .... John has a Banjo / fiddle / piano / accordion / stroviol / set of drums/ saxophone / duck racing gear ......you can borrow .....Shh!'
And at the centre of it all was quiet, kind, gentle John Delaney, providing the unobtrusive heart beat to the music, song and dance. A wonderful musician in his own right but with the tolerance to accept and encourage all, no matter what level musically, he provided support and a backing that made the most inept feel like a virtuoso!
John Delaney's Pub was the very best example of a way of Irish life rapidly disappearing. I'm privileged to have experienced it....... Oh yes ....and you could get a bag of sweets, tin of dog meat or a toilet roll on your way out!" - Sheila Wood
Samples of Artwork by Sheila sold via the Tudor Artisan Hub over the year
Commissions: Sample Pet/Horse Portraits by Sheila
Ada a beloved pet
Pet Portrait Commission - Ada
Buster, a beloved pet RIP
Portrait of Buster
Pet Portrait
Pet Portrait
In memory of 'Muffin' age 20 who passed away 2024, RIP.
A commission for a retirement gift for a Teacher/Principal, October 2024 by Sheila Wood
"This piece was painted in oil on cardboard, a technique developed by Henri de Toulouse Lautrec towards the end of the 19th century. The oil is diluted in distilled turps so it behaves more like watercolour but has more 'body' and the neutral tone of the cardboard becomes part of the design. It can be an unforgiving technique because there is no correcting of mistakes so every mark made must be correct." - Sheila
Portrait Commission Work
A special Golden Wedding Anniversary Gift - June 2024
A portrait of a little Ukraine Child - a gift for her grandmother. 2024
Samples of small Etchings by Sheila Wood that are available from the artist's studio - if interested in finding out details about any piece, please contact us.
Artist Sheila Wood at work in our Community!
Artist Sheila Wood repairing and restoring statues for St Nicholas Church, Carrick on Suir
Spring 2024 - restoring statues for St. Molleran's Church, Carrickbeg.
Statue Repair Work by Sheila Wood
Statue Repair Work by Sheila Wood
2024 Commission Work at My Dress Bridal Wear, 37 Main Street, Carrick-on-Suir.
2018 - Dear Diary Art Installation Project
2020 'Lockdown Is Was' sketchbook art installation with Margaret O'Brien, Writing Changes Lives
This unique sketchbook by artist, Sheila Wood, was created in response to a collaborative poem written on the 26th June 2020 by the 'Writing Changes Lives' writers collective. The collaborative poem, 'Lockdown is / was...', was written at the end of a fifteen week series of open mics with Margaret O'Brien held on Zoom during Lockdown 1 in Ireland, from March 20th through to June 26th 2020. The project was initiated by Linda Fahy, Tudor Artisan Hub upon reading the collaborative poem. Photography and videography by Pete Smith.
This interview with artist Sheila Wood was filmed at her studio on Saturday, 5th December 2020. Here she discusses with Margaret O'Brien her process of transforming the poem 'Lockdown is / was...' into an artist's sketchbook. Videography by Pete Smith.
2022 Bealtaine Festival - Tosú Arís Transforming Arts Project
TOSÚ ARÍS (Starting Over) Bealtaine Festival 2022 Monday 16th – Friday 20th May 2022 Carrick-on-Suir Library, County Tipperary - A collaborative mixed media arts initiative devised by Linda Fahy offering support to those in our community who were bereaved from 2019 onwards, especially those who came through the pandemic having suffered the loss of their life partner.
Click here for more information about the project.
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Workshop hosts travelled to Sheila Wood’s studio at Listrolin to chat about their individual workshop offerings to participants who were recently bereaved, and whose input informed Sheila's mixed media installation.
CONVERSATIONS WITH VISUAL ARTIST SHEILA WOOD
Part 1 - Eileen Heneghan - Writer and Energy Healer
Part 2 - Margaret O’Brien - Reflective Journaling and Creative Writing Tutor
Part 3 - Eileen Acheson - Writer and Adlerian Counsellor
