Artist Karen Hickey has today, Tuesday, 26th May 2020, announced the ‘All Dressed up and Nowhere to Go’ portrait series which is being run in support of the charity Dress for Success Dublin (DfSD).
For the series, the artist will be accepting portrait commissions throughout the month of June, with 20 per cent of all commissions being donated directly to DfSD. The charity helps women across Ireland to (re)enter employment and campaigns for gender equality in the workplace.
Commenting on the launch today (26.05.2020), Karen Hickey said: “With the current social distancing measures and restrictions on gatherings in place, we don’t have much of an opportunity to get dressed up for any occasions. I wanted to create an opportunity for people to do just that – to dress up, to have their portrait created and capture a moment in time, all while supporting a vital charity and the women that they serve.”
In line with social distancing, studies for the portraits will be made by the artist using three or four photos of the subject ‘all dressed up’.
Ms. Hickey is encouraging anyone wishing to have their portrait created to go “all out”. She continued: “Find a costume. Put on your finery. Maybe you were planning to attend the Bloomsday Festival – find your cravat or wear flowers in your hair. Whether it is big jewellery or your fanciest hat, or most wildly patterned waistcoat, these portraits will be about having fun.”
Portrait Packages
There are three packages to choose from which are available for booking until 30th June, with 20 per cent of each type going to support the work of DfSD:
- 21cm x 29.7cm (A4) on paper (unframed) costing €100
- 60cm x 80cm on paper (unframed) costing €230.
- 2ft x 4ft on board (framed) costing €800.
Sonya Lennon, broadcaster, designer, entrepreneur and founder of Dress for Success Dublin also commenting on the announcement today said: “I’m very excited about this initiative from such a talented artist. Everyone at Dress for Success is hugely grateful for Karen’s support and we are all very much looking forward to seeing the work that she produces. Karen has painted my portrait and I’m thrilled with the outcome. Her style is just so fun and colourful – exactly what we need right now.
“It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of getting ‘all dressed up’ and jump on any opportunity to do so! This initiative is a brilliant reason to throw on your glitziest pieces and buy a unique piece of art that you’ll always have, while also supporting the work of DfSD in helping women to secure employment – work that is now more important than ever before.
“On behalf of everyone at DfSD, thank you Karen for your support!”
Portraits can be commissioned by emailing artistkarenhickey@gmail.com, with three or four photos of subjects ‘all dressed up’. Photos should be taken from head to waist.
