The Hugh Lane and Hillsboro Fine Art (and it really was)

I had dinner with Sioban and John last night and spent the night there. Sioban made a great shepherd's pie with wine and of course cheese and crackers for after.

This morning I caught the train from Greystones and got to Dublin around quarter till twelve. First stop was the main post office on O'Connell street to post my entry for New American Paintings. Did you get yours mailed off yet Dwayne?

Next stop was the Hugh Lane Gallery. They have a good collection of contemporary/modern irish art. I was glad to see a Patrick Graham, several nice William Scotts and a room full of Sean Scullys but the highlight of the Hugh Lane is the Francis Bacon studio---its contents cataloged and moved from its original location at 7, Reece Mews, Kensington and meticulously assembled again in the Hugh Lane. It really is cool to see and gives a great insight into the artist's thinking process. The Hugh Lane also had up my favorite Jack Yeats painting...There is no Night. Robin used to have a post card of it in her apt. when we first met.

Next it was just a short walk to the west side of Parnell Sq. to visit the Hillsboro Gallery. The main draw for me there was two pieces-one very large- by Gillian Ayres. She is currently my favorite painter and I've never had the chance to see her work in the flesh before! The gallery also had work on display by Patrick Graham, John Hoyland, Sam Francis and Robert Motherwell among a few others. Oh, they also had a very nice small piece by Basil Beattie---another favorite of mine. Hillsboro's next show will be of small paintings by Alex Katz but I don't know if it'll be up before I go home.