Behind the Scenes on Nationwide (RTE TV)

I got the call on a Tuesday. In fact I got a number of calls that day, but since I was busy show-casing reflexology at a network event I missed all of them!

It was much later that I listened back to the messages from at least three different numbers all saying one thing 'Caroline, Nationwide are looking for an author who has written about anxiety, ring this number urgently!!!'

I had no pen and in a tizzy, I picked one of the missed numbers randomly and thankfully it was the right one. I was speaking to RTE journalist Helen McInerney. Straight away I detected her warm personality and her enthusiasm for my work.

Helen had already paid a visit to my website, thanks to a tip off from Carlow Mental Health Association. Seeing that, along with being an author of a book about anxiety, I also had accomplished work as a painting artist, travel writer and reflexology therapist, Helen was keen to get my story on national screens. We filmed three days later on a Friday!

How did an anxious village girl leave a secure teaching job to follow her creative dream and end up travelling to faraway lands in the process?

You can watch replay of that Nationwide episode by clicking the image.

Filming with Helen and her crew was fun, especially as it was not just me who got the opportunity to shine, but my friends at Carlow Library (who have been very supportive of my creative development) and the Visual Gallery in Carlow who display my books in their bookshop. My parents were proud to be seen in their beautiful garden and my mother especially thrilled to have her feet on show for the reflexology piece.

'Seven C's to Calm - reclaiming your anxiety-free self' - that's the book that attracted the attention of this Irish National TV Channel. Thanks to the editor and team at RTE for choosing my story and especially to Helen McInerney for making sure all of my acheivements were on show.

I thought you might like take a peek behind the scenes of how it was all made:

Seven C’s to Calm is available on Amazon

The Bankers Office | Exhibition 2017

It's fitting that my art work, inspired by the simplicity of nature, is displayed in a kindred nurturing environment. During November 2017 my solo show runs for two weeks in the Bankers Office at Art Bank in Bunclody, Co. Wexford.

I showcase my painting collection The Sacred Lives of Trees along with my books and art prints. I welcome visitors to step into a magical wooded world featuring paintings such as The In Between, Symphonic Trees and Labyrinth.

event

The Bankers Office,
Art Bank Bunclody Co. Wexford

November 7th to 19th 2017

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Keep your Dreams Alive:

My paintings are an expression of stories that awaken dreams and keep them alive. I love vibrant colours and the freedom of allowing imagination to seep through reality.

Explore my artwork in the interest of feeding your own dreams and keeping them alive. You will find landscapes, trees, scenes from lands such as India and Portugal. Choose from original paintings in a variety of sizes or a range of prints including some limited editions. See something you like, get in touch and make it yours.

Explore Vibrant Art Work for your Home

Art Bank Fun | Exhibition 2017

Solstice Group Exhibition | Art Bank Bunclody

Art Bank Police 2017

Joy! That's the most apt word that describes all visits to Art Bank Bunclody in Co. Wexford.

I'm proud to exhibit amongst the variety of talented artists on display in the latest 'Solstice' themed exhibition from July 21st until August 23rd 2017.

Inclusivity and community are at the heart of all creative endeavours at Art Bank whose leading members are setting ambitious goals to change the way art is received and experienced not just in this part of Wexford, but in all of Ireland.

Opening Night Fun

Opening night was full of fun and co-incided with the launch of 'The Streams of Bunclody' festival.

'Evening Tide' from my 'Sacred Lives of Trees' collection will be displayed alongside works of artist friends such as Trudi Doyle, Mary Wallace, Martina Furlong, Elwira Bernaciak and Valerie James.

So what did we get up to on opening night?

Well the dodgey policeman sure had everyone talking!  (;

Evening Tide | Painting €480
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Add Colour & Inspiration to Your Life

My art is an expression of stories that awaken dreams and keep them alive. I love vibrant colours and the freedom of allowing imagination to seep through reality.

Explore my artwork in the interest of feeding your own dreams and keeping them alive. Discover landscapes, trees, scenes from lands such as India and Portugal. Choose from original paintings in a variety of sizes or a range of prints including some limited editions.

See something you like, get in touch, make it yours!

Explore Art of Caroline

Fine Framers Art Exhibition | Summer 2017

Honoured to be among the first local artists to be invited to exhibit at Fine Framers Carlow at their fabulous store on the Wexford Road out of Carlow town.

Art of Caroline Cunningham
Art of Caroline Cunningham

Show-casing Art of Caroline:

My 'Ed O'Connell' portrait is there, the one that was curated by Carlow Arts Festival, for display on the county Post Office as part of the Pure Thinking community project.

Also on show, a selection of paintings form The Sacred Lives of Trees, along with a selection of life drawings.

Take the opportunity to view my art work up close. Fine Framers will have experts on hand to help you choose the perfect frame to suit your home decor.

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Portrait of Ed O'Connell | Framed

Add Colour & Inspiration to Your Life

My art is an expression of stories that awaken dreams and keep them alive. I love vibrant colours and the freedom of allowing imagination to seep through reality.

Explore my artwork in the interest of feeding your own dreams and keeping them alive. Discover landscapes, trees, scenes from lands such as India and Portugal. Choose from original paintings in a variety of sizes or a range of prints including some limited editions.

See something you like, get in touch, make it yours!

Explore Art of Caroline

Almost Nationwide | Shaws Carlow | Art Festival

Nationwide at Last

Remember that Shaws radio advert back in the day? ‘Shaws! Almost nationwide!’In some typical Irish banter with friends, we en-acted the scenario of a Carlovian emigrant eager to know about things back home: ‘tell me this....did Shaws ever make it nationwide?’

Many Carlovians have grown up with Shaws department store at the heart of their shopping experience. A family owned business in its fourth generation, since Henry Shaw first opened its doors in 1864, it seems they have indeed ‘made it nationwide’, with stores in 16 locations across Ireland.

The new tag line for adverts: ‘Shaws, your complete department store!’

Art Show Case | 2017

Shaws Carlow have traditionally featured the work of a local artist during Carlow Arts Festival in June and this year, I'm delighted to have my work featured in their windows.

As you stroll through Tullow Street, watch out for a sample of my paintings from ‘The Sacred Lives of Trees’ collection, along with a selection of my limited edition prints.

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Gift a Ganga Dreaming Limited Edition

Trees of the Golden Dawn | The Story

Embracing Morning Light

Dawn is breaking, I bath in golden rays of light streaming through the branches of trees with their newly emerging canopy of leaves.

Emerging from the darkness of winter in Ireland, like many, I welcome the morning light and lengthening of days.

'Trees of The Golden Dawn' is inspired by such a spring morning, complete with the sound of birds singing with gusto.

The original painting, part of the collection 'The Sacred Lives of Trees' has already been claimed. Limited edition glicee prints are available, limited to 150.

Trees of the Golden Dawn | Limited Edition Prints
Buy a Limited Edition Print Today

The Sacred Lives of Trees

Exhibiting The Sacred Lives of Trees collection was a huge success, giving people the opportunity to express their sentiments about the relevance of trees in their lives.

Many of the original paintings have been snapped up. There are still ways to claim a piece of artwork from the collection in the form of open and limited edition prints and a few paintings.

Take a moment to visit my online gallery to choose the perfect tree painting for your home or as a special gift for a loved one.

Discover Sacred Tree Art

The Chosen Ones | The Sacred Lives of Trees

After a whole collection of Sacred Tree paintings completed, which ones would be most admired, chosen and cherished?

Thoughout my exhibition tour, thesee were the ones most admired: 'Treedom', 'Evening Tide', 'Loves Light Upon Us' and 'Gaurdians'. Other paintings had more individual response from viewers.

My buyers chose differently during my launch event; 'Sacred Tree' was the first to be snapped up.

'Tree's Of The Golden Dawn' was next to be claimed, followed by 'Sacred Universe', whose owner was besotted before the painting was even completed.

I invite you to honour the natural world by enhancing your workplace or home with a colourful tree painting or print.

The Sacred Tree | Prints
Sacred Universe | Prints
Trees of the Golden Dawn | Limited Edition

The Sacred Lives of Trees:

Trees have been instrumental in my healing journey. My exhibition tour of The Sacred Lives of Trees was a huge success in giving people the opportunity to express the relevance of trees in their lives.

While many of the orginals have been claimed there are still a few to choose from along with a selection of prints and limited edition options. Explore my on-line gallery to choose your favourite tree painting. Get in touch and make it yours.

Select a Sacred Tree Painting or Print

That Day In The Forest

That Day in the Forest

I remember that day in the forest,
Savouring a sense of pride, 
After taking the leap of faith.
Called to honour trees, to give voice to others 
Who silently appreciate their healing capacity in their own lives.
I could have ignored those nudges, 
Too daunting to consider. 
When I listened to my heart and took the plunge,
It felt right.
The Sacred Lives of Trees,
The biggest collection of paintings I'd ever created. 
I was in the infancy stage of exhibiting my art work. 
Once a teacher of maths and science, hah! 
Leaving a secure job and career is not an easy thing to do. 
There's no safety net when you pursue an artistic path 
Courage is required.
But there is one surety,
Priceless riches of mind and spirit.
I remember that day in the forest, 
Wondering who would come to my exhibition.
I’d already had a successful crowd-funding campaign 
To generate awareness for my launch.
The support I experienced was tremendous.
It was like hearing trees talking back to me 
Through the people who applauded my efforts.
That day in the forest, I thought about the adventure of it all, 
The gigantic butterflies that had lived in my tummy for months,
Putting me on the edge of my seat. 
The mystics said it was a good sign,
They called it ‘an opening'
An 'expansion of the soul'.
It felt like a never-ending fright. 
I stuck with it and completed my mission.
Here I am standing in the forest,
 Days before my exhibition, 
With a lot of love in my heart, 
Soaking up the positive energy of the adventure 
And paying homage to
The Sacred Lives of Trees.
Caroline Cunningham Author & Artist & Coach

Authentic Path Inspiration

Following your Authentic Path takes courage. Often we need some inspiration and guidance on our way to becoming more open and purposeful. Trees have been instrumental as healers in my own journey. I invite you to check out my paintings and prints from The Sacred Lives of Trees collection. Add vibrancy of colour and nature inspiration to your home or workspace or consider adding my tree art to your gift list for special celebrations.

Select Art Work from
The Sacred Lives of Trees Collection

The Ones | Meet The Sacred Trees

One dream, one leap of faith inspired by the sacred tree wisdom, and one truly grateful artist reflecting on the success that is 'The Sacred Lives of Trees'.

Tour Launch | 2016

The Sacred Lives of Trees exhibition tour launched at Carlow Library in winter of 2016.

This collection of colourful paintings is my way of paying tribute to the solace and wisdom I've received from nature and trees in particular.

I'd been accumulating ideas for this collectoin as far back as 2007. Timing is everything, I'm largely a self-funded artist. I've made my own luck through committment, diligence and being of service to others. It paid off.

The Sacred Lives Of Trees

Amidst global turmoil, visitors to the exhibition noted that now, more than ever, our connection with nature is vital.

Art of Caroline Cunningham

Sponsorship & Homage to Trees

Through my social media networkings I attracted sponsorship and funding from wonderful kind-hearted people from far and near. People pledged funds in return for purchase vouchers, one business sponsored my invites, others promoted my event and a friend provided food for my launch. This was a demonstration of love for trees and appreciation for the work that went into to bringing this message to the fore.

Throughout all stages of my campaign and exhibitions I witnessed a homage to trees by people from all walks of life and some whom I had never connected with previously. Amidst global turmoil, visitors to the exhibition noted that now, more than ever, our connection with nature is vital.

The Sacred Tree paintings are finding their way into loving homes. My on-line gallery awaits new owners of paintings and limited edition prints.

Join me in a virtual tour and immerse yourself in some of that magicial energy captured below.

Choose One | The Sacred Lives of Trees