Rosslare Harbour Artist Prepares for Dream Debut

A self-taught artist originally from Rosslare Harbour is preparing to fulfil a long-held ambition as she makes her debut at Ireland's largest art fair later this month.

Karen Lee, who now lives in Sutton, Dublin, will showcase her vibrant contemporary artwork at Art Source, taking place at the RDS from November 13th to 15th.

The event will feature more than 200 Irish and international artists and galleries, with over 10,000 artworks on display.

For Karen, it's a particularly special milestone, having attended the exhibition as a visitor for many years before finally deciding to exhibit her own work.

Karen's journey into art began during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020.

While restricted to walks within two kilometres of her home, she found inspiration in one of Dublin's most recognisable landmarks — the Poolbeg chimneys.

She began creating bold, colourful interpretations of the chimneys and sharing them on Instagram.

Her distinctive work quickly attracted attention, with people contacting her to ask if the paintings were available to buy.

What began as a creative outlet soon developed into a promising artistic career.

In 2022, Karen was awarded a Creative Arts Residency at Dublin's Tara Building, while her growing portfolio has since included commissions for Dublin Bus and Insomnia Coffee Company.

Remarkably, she has achieved this without any formal artistic training.

"I have never taken an art class in my life and have a bit of imposter syndrome about not being trained but I just sort of march to the beat of my own drum," she said.

Karen says she had been attending Art Source for many years and had often considered exhibiting there herself.

"I had been attending Art Source for many years as a punter and my husband kept telling me it was time to give it a go. The timing hadn't been quite right but this year, I went for it."

Despite admitting to occasional feelings of self-doubt, she's looking forward to showcasing her work alongside artists she has admired throughout her career.

She also paid tribute to fellow artists Miriam Smithers, Orla Mellon, Adrienne Finnerty and Mary Fallon, who have generously offered advice as she prepares for the exhibition.

Art Source will feature a wide selection of contemporary art, including affordable original pieces and works associated with internationally recognised artists such as Banksy, Andy Warhol and Tracey Emin.

Visitors attending on the opening morning, Friday, November 13th, will also have an opportunity to purchase one of 100 original artworks priced at €100 each, available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Show organiser Patrick O'Sullivan says public demand for art continues to grow, with the annual exhibition attracting collectors and first-time buyers alike.

For Karen, however, the occasion represents something more personal — the opportunity to stand alongside established artists she has admired for years, having built her own career from a simple creative pursuit during lockdown.

Art Source takes place at Dublin's RDS from November 13th to 15th, opening at 11am on Friday, November 13th.

Further information and tickets are available at www.artsource.ie.