STUNNING portraits of two iconic Kerry personalities have been created by gifted Killarney artist Ted Jones who has released limited edition prints of both just in time for the Christmas market.
He has painted an incredibly detailed portrait of real-life adventure hero Tom Crean which captures the legendary explorer in familiar pose, clay pipe in mouth, wearing his trademark ribbed crew-neck sweater.
The artist asked his Facebook followers to nominate a personality they would like him to paint and, despite stiff competition from Marilyn Monroe, Daniel O’Connell, Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty and others, Annascaul native Crean was the most popular suggestion. The end result is breathtaking.
Ted, one of Ireland’s most talented and in-demand artists, has also painted a stunning portrait of the late Mike Healy – affectionately known to most as Thundering Mike – who was one of Killarney’s most instantly recognisable characters.
Although he passed away several years ago, the memory of the colourful Mike is to be preserved forever through the brilliant artist who has added the finishing touches to the acrylic on canvas of the man he first met almost a quarter of a century ago.
Dublin native Ted, who has lived in Killarney for the past 24 years, is a self-taught artist whose work is hugely unique and in massive demand.
He was encouraged to attend art college by a national school teacher but his mother insisted that it was a job for a rich man’s son and threw the application forms in the fire.
He left school at the age of 12 and spent 20 years in the military before returning to settle in Killarney where he is greatly loved and appreciated.
Fabulous prints of the Tom Crean and Thunderin’ portraits can be viewed and ordered at O’Neill’s Souvenir Shop on Plunkett Street or the Killarney Framing Company in the Innisfallen Mall. The Crean work is limited to 500 prints and Thunderin’ is limited to 250.
* For more on the life and work of Ted Jones go to the Ted Jones Official Artist page
