Kate Kos

It’s open. Today!! I don’t think I fully believed this moment would come… and now here it is. The new gallery on McDermott Street is finally open. A new space I can walk into, work in, and feel proud of. It took longer than I expected. More twists, more “almost there” moments… but looking at it now, I wouldn’t rush any of it. Today is a soft opening - just opening the doors and letting the space breathe a bit. The official opening will be in April - I’ll confirm the date soon. We’ll have a proper gathering then, a glass of wine, a bit of a celebration. But for now… this is the beginning. If you’re around, come in!

Painting vs Photos Freezing in the studio today so I thought it will be nice to look through my Corfu 🔆 photos and do your favorite comparisons 1-4 Corfu 5 Carrigfoyle Quarry 6 Wicklow Harbour

Hi guys. I have never formally introduced myself here on Instagram but @andyjpizza gave me the motivation I needed with his monthly prompts #peptober So here we go. My name is Kate and I'm a painter. I was born in Poland but for the last 17 years I have lived and worked in Gorey, Ireland. I was always drawing from what I remember, but I only started painting in my mid twenties when I became a mother and needed to fill the time while my daughter was napping. Painting watercolours seemed like a good place to start and I already knew how to draw so why not I thought. Instantly I was hooked on colour and as time passed it became more than a hobby during naptimes and part of my daily life. In 2015 I took the plunge and became a full time artist, first working from home and then for the last 3 years I have been working from my own studio in town 😊 I studied architecture so I'm a good planner and I like things in order and to solve technical problems. But I also love the unpredictability and messy brushstrokes when I paint. I often think that my painting and art interests are closer to illustration and abstract then to fine art. I am an introvert at heart and I do recharge best when I'm on my own. Favorite ways to spend time: walks in nature, playing the piano when no one listens or sewing. Worst nightmare: party full of strangers. But I do love getting to know new people and that's why I am enjoying giving art classes and workshops. I know a lot of Latin names for herbaceous perennials as I used to work in a plant nursery and the love for flowers and plants can be seen in my choice of painting subjects. 8 years ago I had a back surgery and my life since has changed dramatically. It was a traumatic experience and with hindsight I can see that it was a catalyst for me to make painting my profession. Plein air painting is a big part of my art practice and it informs the decisions I make when painting in the studio. I chase the ever changing light of the outdoors which then demands me to observe and paint quickly. And that's where I'm at my happiest, on my own, in nature, brush in hand and creating. . . #reintro #reintroduce #doitfortheprocess #irishartist

I always think I’m heading out for sketching session, and then something else completely steals my attention. This time it was the ducks and the swans. Honestly, this is probably why I still love sketching outdoors so much after all these years. You can plan the composition, bring the paints, find the perfect spot… and nature still decides what the day is really about.

A lovely piece in this week’s Gorey Guardian @goreyguardian by Alan White about the opening of my gallery and my recent acceptance into the Royal Hibernian Academy @rha.arts Very grateful for the thoughtful article and support. Thanks Alan. #irishartist #irishart #gorey #cowexford

I think certain subjects follow artists around for years. Not because we master them - probably because we never fully can. Bluebells are one of those for me. #irishartist #irishart #bluebells #landscapepainting

Some artists fall in love with one subject and stay there forever. I never could. Water, because it’s always changing. Flowers, because all that colour! Paths, because they make you wonder what’s around the corner. Light, because it changes everything. I’m Kate - painter, gallery owner, former architecture student turned full-time artist. I’ve spent years painting the Irish landscape in a way that feels less like documenting a place and more like stepping into it. These subjects keep pulling me back, again and again. #irishartist #artistslife #cowexford

On Sunday, Gorey Urban Sketchers joined @dublin_sketchers for International Urban Sketchers Day. Sketchers came from all over Ireland, and we spent the day sketching around the city.

Sharing a few photos from opening night. Thank you so much to everyone who came, it meant a lot. Last time I opened a gallery, I didn’t take a single photo or ask anyone to – and I ended up with nothing to look back on. So it feels nice to have these!

Painting in Dillon's Park Dalkey today with @dublinartsociety members. I found shelter from wind under the trees and I ended up painting these gorgeous large rocks. I will finish it in the studio. Dalkey looked so much better when I was leaving for Gorey, the sun came up and brought more colour with it. Typical 🙃

☀️ The joy of the work of Kate Kos can be seen now in her new gallery on McDermott Street, #Gorey officially opened this evening. Every success to the team. @kate_kos !