Carol Cronin, Artist and Gallery Owner, The Carol Cronin Gallery
Carol Cronin is an Irish Seascape painter based in the South West tip of Ireland on the Dingle Peninsula. Cronin spent numerous years travelling internationally, drawn to the wide-flung seashores of the world, and settled in Amsterdam for 10 years prior to moving back to Ireland. Her work has been exhibited extensively, including in Dublin (The Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA)), London, Dusseldorf, Amsterdam, Sicily, New York, Abu Dhabi and California. In 2009 Carol Cronin established her own gallery on Upper Green Street Dingle, Co Kerry, Ireland. Her seascape paintings are a direct response to the wild Irish Atlantic coastline. The painting style and technique used is unique, a gradual learned process that avoids the use of photographs as a source but rather relies on detailed pencil drawings from life. The colour is built up using thin layers of glazes and transparencies. Commissions/collections: University College Cork, The National Archives of the Netherlands, (Utrecht), John Warner (The Warner Museum of American Art) The Art Hub, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, The Office of Public Works in Ireland. 2014 Carol was invited to participate in a month-long residency at The Art Hub, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The resulting work was exhibited at The Art Hub Gallery in Abu Dhabi and at The Armani Hotel, Dubai. 2015 Carol’s work was presented to the sponsors of the prestigious Gala GAA Charity auction held at The Plaza Hotel New York City in May. 2017 Cronin's work was used in the short film "Take me Swimming" Directed by Claire Dix and starring Olwen Fouéré Work has been featured on RTE (Irish National Television Broadcaster) TG4 Discovery Channel (USA) and National Geographic Traveller Magazine. Since 2016, Carol has been splitting her time between running the gallery in Ireland, while completing commissions in places such as Costa Rica, Monserrat, and the USA.
What is your favourite social media platform?
Instagram. I like the clarity and suitability of visual content.
Tell us about you and your current role or area of interest.
I am a seascape painter working on large format oil on canvas/linen paintings. My work takes me all over the world while The Carol Cronin Gallery, situated in Dingle Co. Kerry exhibits my work on an ongoing basis.
What do you like about your career or area of focus?
I have always enjoyed the solitary nature of painting, the quiet consideration and concentrated effort to translate an emotional response to a landscape into a visual format. In recent years, however, I have found a really beautiful balance between working in the studio and meeting the visitors to my gallery. The energy which I get from the feedback and recognition feeds into my work and is constant support which I appreciate immensely.
‘A Day Remembered’ - Carol Cronnin
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Remember that there is always a choice.
What inspires you, motivates you, or helps you to move forward?
The unknown inspires me. Change, potential and future possibilities inspire me. I finish one painting and am instantly curious and excited about my next piece. I have been painting the Ocean for almost 20 years and yet it remains a never-ending source of inspiration. Trying to capture the essence of the wild, ever-changing roaring ocean presents a difficulty level which is through the roof, but that is what keeps it interesting, the challenge and knowledge that you can always do better.
What are you proud of in your life so far?
I am proud of the fact that I never stopped painting. Even in the days when I was working in low-paid jobs and trying to maintain studio rent. When I look back at myself in my 20s working in bars and restaurants and spending any free time or money on paints and painting without any sales, (or hope of sales), I wonder where that conviction came from. I am proud of myself for not giving up.
What is your preferred way to meet new people/network?
I established The Carol Cronin Gallery on Green Street in Dingle 10 years ago. I have met the most extraordinary people there. The beauty of art appreciation is that it is universal. All the differences which can set us apart, be that language, politics, social standing, disappear when looking at art. I have made some amazing friends through the gallery and thoroughly enjoy the break from the solitude of studio work.
What skills or qualities do you feel have helped you?
While obviously, I am constantly working on my skills as a painter, I think establishing the gallery made me realise that I have other skills I had never valued before. The qualities that allow me to communicate well with my visitors/customers are very important to me. Thankfully, I seem to have the capacity to work long hours dealing with the administration of the gallery and the travel, well - let's just say, time management is a skill I value highly.
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
It has been such a journey, full of highs and lows, but I don't think there's anyone thing that I would want to have known beforehand. It would have spoiled the rollercoaster ride.
Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles and why?
I admire those who are doing their best in difficult circumstances. There are so many seemingly overwhelming problems in the world, but there are people out there quietly doggedly, doing the right thing, ignoring the chaos or hopelessness around them and just getting on with it.
Outside of your professional/work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
I love travelling and diving and as soon as the Covid travel restrictions are lifted I want to get back out into the world and improve my diving skills.
‘Oceans Deep’ - Carol Cronnin
Has the pandemic had a positive or a negative effect on you and/or your business, and how have you been managing it?
The pandemic has been an extraordinary experience to live through. From the initial images of the first lockdown in Wuhan and the disbelief that "anything like that would happen here" to the global shutdown, there has been and still is an element of the surreal. I am very fortunate to live in a beautiful place by the beach and I am well used to working alone and so the impact on me was minimal. I revelled in the peace and quiet. When the gallery closed, I was completely prepared for a period of time without income, but, thankfully, to my surprise, sales have continued and the only real impact I can see so far on the business end is that shipping prices are rising rapidly which have an impact in the coming years.
Do you have a mentor or have you ever mentored anyone?
I've not mentored anyone so far, but it is something that I may look into in the future.
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work or interests?
I think to keep in mind that the actual work (the art) that you are doing is the core. Concentrate always on that and your career will take shape around it. Try not to chase a career and lose sight of your work.
‘Submerged’ - Carol Cronnin
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
Support. Sometimes even the smallest gesture or word of support can cause a person not to give up. We all have our own complex, interior lives and it is impossible to know what struggles a colleague, friend or even a boss may have. An unexpected positive word has the potential to transform a person's situation entirely. Support imparts energy to continue.
Is there a phrase, quote or a saying that you really like?
"If I had asked the people what they wanted, they would have said a faster horse." - Henry Ford
What companies, brands, or institutions do you like or do you think are getting it right?
The companies developing plastic alternatives. While ocean clean-up projects are admirable, it is like mopping the floor while the sink is still overflowing. The plastic industry must find an alternative.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far?
I would define success as living a good life. To live in a beautiful place, do a job that you love while earning enough to enjoy life and also to help others.
‘Surface’ - Carol Cronnin
‘The Shallows’ - Carol Cronnin
‘The Old Schoolhouse Runquin’ - Carol Cronnin