DAS Member Interview - Ken Jennings
Ken Jennings
Ken, how did you become interested in painting?
I was always interested in painting but only took it up seriously about 14 years ago as my previous career slowly came to an end. l had been a makeup artist on film and commercials and during that career achieved BAFTA and EMMY nominations. Also during that time l went back to college and completed an arts degree at UCD in Art History, Drama and Film Studies.
Do you have any art training?
Over the years l partook in many workshops and masterclasses and am currently doing a diploma in painting and drawing at the RHA.
What other artists do you enjoy?
I enjoy lots of artists, from Bronzino to Jenny Saville to Donald Tesky to Dave West and lots of others I cant think of at the moment.
Does creativity run in the family?
I have no background in the Arts but my granddaughter Phoenix has just completed her Fine-Art Degree at NCAD.
Can you describe your artistic process?
I find it difficult to describe my artistic process but l work mostly in oils though l have done some work in acrylics and pastels. My earlier work was predominantly in still-life but am now interested in landscape and seascape with some portrait work.
What inspires you to paint?
It is hard to say what inspires me to paint. It might be the colour of the sea and the light on it. It might be the view from my bedroom window first thing in the morning or the challenge of trying to capture a persons likeness in a portrait.
Recently l had a perfect week of painting at the Dublin Plein-Air Festival, where the views were inspiring and the weather was great for a change.
Any DAS memories?
My memories of this year's exhibition at Farmleigh (2025) are very happy ones.
Any daily rituals before painting?
Daily rituals before painting usually involve sitting down with a cup of tea and procrastinating until I feel guilty.
