Dundalk solicitor turned artist set to exhibit at art fair

A Louth mother of three who turned her back on a successful legal career to become an artist will be showcased at Ireland’s premier art fair Art Source at the RDS from November 10-12.

Mary Wallace, a Dundalk native, had been working as a lawyer for 14 years when she decided to enrol in an art class, where participants were required to draw something new every day for a full year.

Three months later, she had resigned from role as a solicitor in a rural practice in County Wexford to embark on a new career as an artist.

And Mary, whose colourful compositions have been inspired by the Japanese practice of kintsugi, or the repair of broken porcelain using gold leaf, has been painting and exhibiting ever since swapping drawing up legal documents for drawing on canvas 23 years ago.

“I worked in conveyancing and probate mostly, and I did enjoy my work. Interesting things were happening every day but once I discovered my artistic side, there was just no question about the direction I wanted to go,” said Mary.

“It took me about eight years to qualify as a solicitor, so it was not an easy decision to make.

“Beforehand, I had no idea or inclination that I would ever be an artist. That was not something I thought was on my agenda.”

Mary, now aged 64, said her husband Brendan totally supported her decision to quit her job as a lawyer to become a full-time artist.

“We both knew that this was something I had to do,” she said.

“I was very lucky; my husband had a good job and we weren’t depending on me being out in the workplace.”

Mary is originally from Dundalk, Co Louth, but now lives on the outskirts of Wexford Town.

Over 15,000 people are expected to attend Art Source, Ireland’s biggest and most exciting art event, from November 10-12, which will feature 200 of the best in contemporary Irish and international artists and galleries.

Irish art lovers will have the unique chance to get their hands on 100 pieces of original artwork for €100 each on a first-come, first-served basis on the opening morning of the show on Friday, November 10.

Art Source runs in Dublin’s RDS from November 10-12. For more information and tickets visit artsource.ie