Jane O’Reilly on her work: "I got involved with Eagle works, originally, after my degree, which was in ’91. "I’ve been painting for a long, long time but with a big gap of twelve years. I’ve just come back to it now, over the past two years.  | | A detail from a Jane O'Reilly painting |
"I’ve taken a lot of photographs of journeys that I’ve taken, from home to the studio, and of things that I’ve seen. This is of another regular journey of mine – of walking the dog by the canal. It’s actually taking photographs and re-interpreting them and getting the feeling of canal, the feeling of wall, the feeling of movement of water in a more painterly way. ”I have not actually painted this photo. This is just a starting off point. The photo is good enough on its own, if you want a photograph. But I’m not a photographer, I’m a painter – so my main aim is to mess with the paint, really. "To see what I can get from paint and paper or canvas and various other substances, plaster, sand. What I can do with that, to make images that are interesting. They always have a basic starting point, they are not completely abstract, they don’t just come from nowhere and are not just emotional outpourings or anything. They always have a basis, but I enjoy manipulating materials and seeing what I can get them to do for me. "I suppose people would look and it and say it is abstract art. It is abstracted from pictures and imaging and experiences that I’ve had – a reinterpretation. "I’ve had quite a good response from the [Eagle Works] exhibition I had, so yes I am quite happy with the response, but as I say it’s my first foray into the public arena with it, so I’m starting off, but yes it has been very good so far.  | | Painting detail, with photo |
"I hope to have lots more exhibitions and recognition and be able to take my exploration further, full time, hopefully. I’ve given myself two years to get a basic body of work together and to get myself back into the swing of actually using paint and making images. "I’m going to have to find some part-time work to keep me going, but eventually I’d like to be able to sustain myself . But the most important thing is the doing, and the getting it seen. Selling is a bonus. "People can come and see my work anytime. Phone Eagle Works and make an appointment." | 
