Hogans Blog

Fancy Nails and the alternative space!

2012-01-30T20:22:00.004+02:00

When I'm not seeking exhibition space or gallery representation I usually like to look out for alternative spaces to show my artwork. It's something that's important to me as I realise that not everybody has the time to visit art galleries during these busy days. Last year I was part of a group art exhibition in one such space at the Sanomatalo building in the centre of Helsinki, Finland.

Hogan's Heroes of Music - 1. The Beatles

2012-01-25T16:04:00.004+02:00

"Most of the posts on this blog are art-related somehow. And I wanted to include a regular posting dedicated to music, another art form which is very important to me. I don't play any musical instruments as such, but I do love to listen! This series of blog posts will cover just a few of the musicians and bands whom I have admired and listened to over the years. I won't be listing my favourites

Daniel's Art Group in Fokus

2012-01-16T15:50:00.000+02:00

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of attending a special art exhibition being held at Galleria Fokus, my local art gallery here in Karis, Finland. The organiser of this exhibition was Daniel Enckell, a local and well-respected artist who has set up his own art group classes over the past few years and is now showing the fruits of his teachings at this art exhibition. Daniel Enckell stands

Red Barn Blues!

2011-10-20T16:32:00.007+03:00

With the summer a distant memory now, I just wanted to share one of my paintings which reflects summer for me here in Finland. It's a picture of a typical red wooden barn in Finland, with a rapeseed field lingering in front of it. The bright yellow rapeseed fields can be so strong in colour they can only but make you smile! var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-12520057-4']);

Caravaggio - The Taking and Faking of Christ!

2011-09-29T17:03:00.004+03:00

September 29th 1571 is supposedly the birthday of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, better known as simply 'Caravaggio' to most of us. When I was younger living back in Ireland this artist was one of many famous artists mentioned in my art history schoolbook. The Baroque school of painting to which his art belonged wasn't very interesting to me. I suppose I could have been in such awe of the

...and you thought you knew everything?

2011-09-03T15:12:00.004+03:00

A friend of mine sent me an email recently that I want to share. It's all about some interesting facts you may or may not know. I can't be certain if all of the statements below are true, but I'll give this list the benefit of the doubt. Whoever made this list must have checked it all out. This is the kind of trivia you should know in order to get your team a decent prize down at your local

Going to California!

2011-06-15T21:00:00.005+03:00

Thanks for dropping by my blog! Nice to have you here again. There's not much happening around here these days. It's all family occasions and football matches, all happy days of course! ..... even if the mosquitoes are annoying the hell out of me! I'm also happy about a recent art sale I made. This painting here below called 'Two Black Cats' is leaving home! A sale is a sale as they say,

'FIRST BLOOD' - No man, no law, no war can stop him!

2011-06-03T16:54:00.001+03:00

Finnish Mosquitos take no prisoners! It's summertime again here in Finland, whoa hoo!!! Warm sunshine, colourful gardens, the smell of barbeques, cold beers ......and yes, I almost forgot, the baby mosquitos have hatched......Yes, it's time to go to mosquito war again!! Well, as long as you're indoors in the evening it's actually not too bad here. Earlier this week I had my first uninvited

Summertime Blues?.....No thanks!!!

2011-06-02T21:41:00.001+03:00

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Soul Inspired!

2011-05-23T09:01:00.013+03:00

When most people think of Irish music festivals they think of fiddles, tin whistles, lively dancing and the odd refreshment. But times have changed and nowadays Ireland has many other musical festivals to offer, and for many different tastes. Festivals such as the Cork Jazz Festival, the Electric Picnic, and the Castlebar Blues Festival for example. And this month another festival which has

Are you ready for your close-up?....Not quite!

2011-05-22T07:53:00.011+03:00

Hello and thanks once again for visiting my blog here. You're very welcome and I hope it's a nice day wherever you are! Two weeks ago I decided to take part in my first ever photo event. Now I don't have much experience of photography, but I am quite aware of the elements involved and skill-level required for creating good images. I also have a little understanding of dark-room procedure having

Asteroid !!!

2011-05-06T11:03:00.002+03:00

Someone I know recently told me they don't bother reading newspapers or looking at tv news anymore because it's nothing but doom and gloom, and it's more likely to send you into a state of permanent depression. I've just been looking through some of today's news stories myself through various internet pages and I can completely understand. Terrorism, war, sickness, pollution, natural disasters,

Spring in Stockholm......with vice-cream!

2011-04-18T18:06:00.035+03:00

Last Friday I got an early taste of spring as I spent a lovely sunny day in Stockholm. While large amounts of snow were still evident last week here in Finland and temperatures were still low enough to catch a cold, I hopped onboard a Viking Line ferry in Helsinki and headed southwest to the picturesque city of Stockholm in Sweden. I had been on short visits to the city before but always during

Green Day in Helsinki!

2011-03-14T12:09:00.001+02:00

On this coming Thursday, March 17th, a few people including myself will be wearing green and celebrating this year's St. Patrick's Day in Finland. Since moving to Finland I have noticed how well the Finnish people are able to enjoy this annual Irish holiday. I could almost say it comes natural! Having spent a few winters here in Finland, I can understand why so many Finns embrace this event

A Blog of Two Cities!

2011-03-12T21:24:00.010+02:00

Some of you reading this blog will probably know little about Finland, just as I did once upon a time. Most of what I knew usually involved snow, Santa Claus and film locations for old spy movies. Add to that names such as Mannerheim, Sibelius, Viren, Hyypiä, Räikkönen, Litmanen, Häkkinen, Grönholm, Lordi and that was about it for me. Ten years later including three years living here and the

Magenta in March!

2011-02-23T00:57:00.005+02:00

While the colour green may get a mention here in Finland during the month of March, the colour 'Magenta' may also feature prominently in the news. As myself and many other people prepare for the 'greening' of St.Patrick's Day here in Finland next month a band called 'Magenta Skycode' bring their mellow sounds on tour around the country. 'Magenta Skycode' are a Finnish band based in the city

The Unexpected Rose!

2011-02-14T03:40:00.004+02:00

Well, here I am again, back on Blog Avenue! As most of us are aware today is St. Valentine's Day, and I thought I'd just write a few words on my thoughts of the matter. First of all I'll get the history lesson out of the way by just leaving a link on Saint Valentine. Any curiosities can be answered at this link. I suppose like anything related to religion and history, there's a bit of

The Dead Poet's Breakfast!

2011-02-05T19:50:00.002+02:00

Today is known as Runeberg's Day in Finland, named after Finland's national poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg who was born in the town of Jacobstad, Finland on this date 1804. 'Runeberg's most famous work is Fänrik Ståls sägner (The Tales of Ensign Stål, Vänrikki Stoolin tarinat in Finnish) written between 1848 and 1860. It is considered the greatest Finnish epic poem outside the native Kalevala

Moomin and a groovin' on a sunny afternoon!

2011-01-31T16:16:00.017+02:00

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Strongbow's Awakening!

2011-01-25T13:16:00.004+02:00

2D or not 2D? that is the question!

2011-01-17T21:06:00.002+02:00

Songs for the Snow

2011-01-07T11:47:00.004+02:00

Two Landscapes and a Council of Trees!

2010-10-15T21:03:00.006+03:00

Autumn on the Nature channel!

2010-10-15T19:42:00.001+03:00

'The Nature Channel!'(no subscription necessary) It's autumn on the 'real' Nature channel and here's a few photo's I wanted to share with you all on my blog. I took these photos while out walking in Karis, Finland. There are still plenty of leaves left on the trees here, but with the first of the autumn storms arriving last night these nice autumn colours will soon begin to disappear.

Highway to Helsinki!

2010-09-13T19:03:00.014+03:00