Peter meets, Brendan Courtney.

#theartofselfie #BrendanCourtney 

Welcome to my blog series ‘Peter Meets’. I am going to ask a number of people in, and throughout the ‘creative field’, the same 16 questions about; art, influences, hopes and other useful facts to know about the movers and shakers in the world where I feel best at home, ‘the creative sector’, ‘the Art World’.

For the first episode of ‘Peter meets with the Sweet 16’, I asked Brendan Courtney, T.V presenter, author, content creator, stylist and fashion designer, the sweet 16. Most of us know his handsome face from seeing him on our T.V sets in 1999 with his first show ‘Wonderlust’. Since then he has presented and created many a T.V show such as, ‘The Clothes show’, ‘Off the Rails’ and his latest program 'This Crowded house 'which is currently viewing on R.T.E.2. He has co-created a fashion line with his bizness partner Sonya Lennon, ‘Lennon Courtney’ which is available in Dunnes Stores now. He has also written some best-selling books, such as, ‘Love Your look,’ and ‘Your Best you’. In 2008 I had the absolute pleasure of painting Brendan for my ‘Saint and Sinners’ exhibition. Brendan, thankfully, posed as, Saint Paul the hermit, a saint that’s hold patronage to the world of fashion. Since 2008 I have kept in touch with Brendan and with huge gratification I can call him a pal.

1. Do you have a favorite artist, and what’s your favorite piece by them? 

That’s like asking someone what’s their fav film, it depends on the genre for me for Pop I love Bansksy and Maser, aesthetically Miro, and Peter Homan, but probably the piece that has excited me the most is Salvador Dalí’s lesser-known España (1938) I LOVE IT!

2. What was the last exhibition you went to?

La Biennale di Venezia 2017 – last weekend actually – Loved Irish Artist Jesse Jones exhibit – (film and sculptor)

3. What’s your favourite book?

Confederacy of Dunces John Kennedy Toole.

4. Who’s your icon?

YOU!

5. I know you are an accomplished, broadcaster and designer, but do you like to dabble in a bit of painting every now and then?

 sketch all the time, never paint.

6. What influences you on a daily basis?

I read A LOT , so it depends where my head it, but I can be influenced my ANYTHING -  currently I am loving Malcolm Gladwell and the theory that we are all just products of our environments – even geniuses.

7. What’s your favourite sound?

Silence (or a burning fire)

8. What has been the single most important event in your career so far?

Learning my value and learning patience (still learning) 

9. What do you hope your contribution will bring to your community?

Help older people live more dignified lives and have more choices.

10. What is the hope for your audience when they encounter your work?

That they feel empowered and equal.

11. Who has been the most influential person to you and your work?

My Mother.

12. If you could have dinner or a drink with someone, alive or dead who would it be?

I had lunch with Madonna, so box ticked, I suppose Dali.

13. Do you think an artist needs to be tortured to create?  

N0, that’s silly!

14. What was the first piece of art you bought? 

It was in 1996, A triptych by a young artist called Adrian Ward from Port-Laois, there was a show in the Ormond Multi media center (not the Morrison hotel) and I bought it for £100 and paid £5 a week , until it was all paid off!! How cool is that ! then in Stockholm I bought a stunning graphic with 3 nudes by Swedish Artist Margil Lgung.

15. Where’s your favourite space to get creative in? 

My home.

16. What’s next for you?

LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH.

With thank, Brendan xxx

The 2009, 'Saints and Sinners' painting Brendan as 'Saint Paul the Hermit'. Paul holds patronage to the fashion industry. Brendan is a stylist and fashion designer. the bread and sheepskin is to represent 'Saint Paul' and the LV suitcase Brendan sits on is to represent #BrendanCourtney