Brian Kielt Visual Artist

Art Journal: March 2026

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01/03/26

Raw umber / warm grey for walls. Prussian blue was over top hat. Burnt sienna / reds / pinks. Sage green = pacing figure.

Thought I would’ve gotten further ahead than I did but then when I came down home with a sour head on me, have since been told that it was plenty. That was right of course. I just think the images in my head, or the projected outcome wasn’t matching reality, In hindsight, of course there’s been movement. Tonal work on mid-sized canvas - the ground work of the colouring blocks are done.

For the small double portrait, using the lines in the hidden self-portrait to create structure behind (and possible in front) the female portrait.

Sometimes there isn’t (well to be honest, its nearly 99%) that magic spark when working - where a single mark can bring a work to life. Today was a grind and that’s OK. It’s whats needed. Still need to turn up, put paint down and work through problems as they arise. That’s the joy and the fear.

04/03/26

Dublin. Maryam Tafakory “Daria’s Night Flowers” in the Project Art Centre. Next, on to the RHA to catch the Hennessy Craig and Homan Potterton Awards 2026. Stand outs - Eileen Leonard Sealy, Daniel Coieman and Manar Mervat Al Shouha. Wonderful work!

Kirsty Bell’s work is absolutely stunning; the merging of layers and the unusual presentation (on poles, curtains) adds to theatricality and draws you in.

07/03/26

A classic case of teetering on the edge of over-painting - Small double portrait. The elements that I think are working are currently out-weighed by isn’t. Tonally, it’s OK, a little flat at present, I think its the application of the paint and the colour scheme that’s off at the moment.

13/03/26

“Non Squeal Killers” - “A Tacitun Mask”

15/03/26

In the studio. Back and forth once again on the small canvas. One minute I think a problem is resolved, then an impulse to go in the opposite direction takes hold. Not sure where this comes from or why.

It could be my idea of the finalised idea is split between accuracy of the source material and leaning into the more expressive immediacy that the intial drawings derive from.

Third session on this. I think if things don’t clean up after the next session, it will be a case of putting it against the wall for a while before tackling it again with fresh(er) eyes.

18/03/26

“Fate rebuked him with a terrible swiftness”.

22/03/26

Studio and a little impromptu photo shoot!

There was a point in the morning where I thought I was going to ruin it all.

Now, it is definitely not what I initially envisaged but for the process and danger that this wee canvas has gone through, it’s not in a bad space. It’s as good as I can do with how it has gone previously. So, a long, drawn out way of saying. It’s downing tools time on “Thought Gathering”.

Now, thoughts to gather towards….

Lists need made up.

29/03/26

There was no painting or drawing this weekend. A little respite didn’t do any harm.

RDH: MARCH 2023

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01/03/23

Hunter / Gatherer Mode: Night Two

05/03/23

Studio - a long needed clean-up and great to get going with paints again.

Working on larger-than-life hands - a teacher once told us that if you can draw hands, you can draw anything. This is whirling around in my head today as I tackle these.

08/03/23

…not selected. A little disheartening but onwards and upwards.

12/03/23

Back has hindered any studio time this weekend.

…well Sunday night took a turn for the weird. Trip in ambulance to hospital. Struggled to breathe. Long story short: X-Ray clear, CT Scan clear but blood tests abnormal.

A few days rest needed.

15/03/23

Sketchbook work.

Want to utilise time better.

18/03/23

GRAND SLAM!

19/03/23

Some really substantial progress today on “Boy Soldier”. A balancing act as always.

27/03/23

What a year it’s been! Happy Birthday to our little girl, Imogen.

29/03/23

List of drawings that have ‘slipped’ through the net…

20+ images that have popped out this time around. There’s potential for further progress here. Strange how on another day of sifting through past work a separate set of images could jump out.

The brain is an odd critter.

RDH: DECEMBER 2022

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Sketchbook work - it’s been way too long!

03/12/22

Quick studio time…

… as suspected, it didn’t take much to get last two paintings of the year over the line. Still aiming to keep the (well, less is more is a little inaccurate) “Stop before I think I should” mentality.

Definitely less misses with this strategy.

08/12/22

‘New Exits: 10 Years of Painting’ opening at the MAC. Excellent show. Daniel Coleman’s painting ‘The House Down the Lane’ is absolutely stunning. It moved me to tears. A real stand out from a strong group show.

11/12/22

Freezing in the studio.

Drew up two small works (having a crack at the ‘Jaws’ image again - with a slightly altered composition) and have set up to take a look at a couple of pieces that have fallen through the cracks recently.

‘Street Walker’ and ‘Laughing Man’ (working titles).

17/12/22

Wood is for the living, stone for the dead.

Said farewell to GT’s reading round. It’s been such a boost having this weekly outlet of chatting, sharing ideas and making connections. Had a great run!

Stream of admin this evening.

18/12/22

“Tomorrow is Saturday” - Interesting documentary on Sean Hillen.

28/12/22

Studio time. “The Week in Art: 2022 in review” podcast.

Blocking in on the small piece. ‘Man looking in his pocket while descending the stairs’ or ‘Looking for keys’ OR ‘Check your pocket’.

29/12/22

Newcastle.

30/12/22

Penultimate day of the year. admin and prep before a few hours in the studio!

For the time of the year that it is, I find myself in a bit of a reflective and thankful mood. 2022 has been good to me.

There have been losses also. People who have impacted our lives that have moved on, but their imprint will remain.

So much to be thankful for, a loving family, the support of friends and loved ones during the highs and lows. Also, to those who took a chance on my work, who invited me to be a part of their projects:

THANK YOU!

RDH: OCTOBER 2021

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02/10/21

Point of order today: DO NOT OVER PAINT!!!

Think “Rex Aegypti Penultimus” is finished.

05/10/21

VAI GET TOGETHER 2021

Rediscovering private and personal spaces / rituals.

06/10/21

Chanelle Walshe - self organised self-curation.

Duc Van Pham - Breaking down the figures - is this a way of adjusting / adding narrative?

Keynote: Christian Jankowski - “The Hunt” “Casting Jesus”

Beuys - difficult.

07/10/21

Why do we put people in boxes?

Superflex - interspecies living - “Flooded McDonalds”.

10/10/21

Dosed to eyeballs so not going anywhere fast.

12/10/21

Some sketchbook studies tonight.

13/10/21

Two new canvases begun today. Little and large.

16/10/21

Strong sense of self.

Good progress in the studio today. Didn’t mean for the small one to go Holy.

20/10/21

Accepted into Platform Arts group show!

Detail of “Lady of the Manor”.

Getting there with “Lady of the Manor”.

23/10/21

Globalist cheerleading.

24/10/21

Wardrobe fiasco.

“Lady of the Manor” finished.

25/10/21

Day trip to Belfast to deliver “Saint and Sinner” for Platform Arts group show.

28/10/21

HALLELUJAH!

29/10/21

Definitely been distracted lately but the blinkers need to come back on.

30/10/21

As it’s the season for it, here’s a golden oldie from 2003. This photo was taken for a GCSE Art project where my cousin Aidan dressed as the grim reaper holding a very rusty scythe. Our cat then walked along the tin roof behind him, jumped on his shoulders and then proceeded to stroll across the top of the blade. It all happened purely by chance and made for a great photo.

31/10/21

Early morning tonal work to “The Doctor Will See You Now”. Slow and steady progress but definitely best to stop when I did to give new layers a chance to dry.

Detail of work in progress - “The Doctor Will See You Now”.

Merry Halloween.