Shirley O’Regan is the Artist in Residence at the Red Door gallery in Newcastle West for the next two weeks with her solo art exhibition. She has sixty-two originals as well as a limited-edition series of prints.
She has a great social media presence and for a long time now, I’ve been a fan of Shirley’s work. This poet doesn’t just make art; she sneaks a little life lesson into every brushstroke and rhyme. No two pieces are the same, but all are united by one drive: to teach you something you didn’t even realize you needed. One painting whispers “Take a break!” in calm blues; another yells “Be brave!” in colours that inspire. This poet-artist blends epic and everyday like a cocktail mix. A humble teacup becomes a lesson in balance—try not to spill the tea, literally and metaphorically. Every canvas, every verse, is a lesson: not the boring kind, but the kind you’ll actually remember. Her exhibition is one definitely not to be missed.
“Tall Tails and Daily Doodlemice” by Shirley O’Regan – Artist’s Statement
On December 1st, 2020 I began the process of completing an art challenge called ‘December Daily’. The (self-imposed) challenge is to ‘show up’ and create a piece of art every day throughout the month of December. For me, and the Doodlemice, however, this process has not ended, even though the original challenge is long since completed. I have been ‘showing up’ and creating every day since. My characters – the Doodlemice – and their friends can best be described as whimsical but resilient minor characters in a developing novel who were a lot more ambitious than I gave them credit for! They show up every evening and I am always excited to draw their day and add to their narrative. Many of the images are part of the larger narrative of the emerging novel, while others are standalone pieces, partially inspired by events of the day, either in my own life or further afield.
My cartoons are created using archival ink and watercolour paints on professional grade textured watercolour paper. The majority of my pieces are A4 in size or smaller, to reflect the literal size of the figurative characters depicted, and to remind the viewer that small does not necessarily mean inconsequential.
The themes of my work include Irish mythology, nature, community, friendship, inclusivity and the increasing challenge of living a quiet life in a world that no longer seems to make room for that. My portfolio to date numbers more than 1,600 individual cartoons. The exhibition will include 60 original pieces.
There will also be a limited series of numbered prints, one design of which will have its proceeds donated to Star Rescue, a locally based animal welfare charity.
I am a teacher, writer, poet, podcaster and cartoonist who is passionate about the past and endlessly curious about the world as it is, and as it might be, given a little imaginative tweak here and there! My debut poetry collection, “Hopefully Ever After”, was published in November 2018. My Doodlemice and poems have gathered a large and supportive following on social media. My podcast has more than 40,000 dedicated listeners globally. I believe that art should be accessible, sustainable, enjoyable and part of everyday life.

Shirley O’Regan is the Artist in Residence at the Red Door gallery in Newcastle West for the next two weeks with her solo art exhibition. She has sixty-two originals as well as a limited-edition series of prints.
She has a great social media presence and for a long time now, I’ve been a fan of Shirley’s work. This poet doesn’t just make art; she sneaks a little life lesson into every brushstroke and rhyme. No two pieces are the same, but all are united by one drive: to teach you something you didn’t even realize you needed. One painting whispers “Take a break!” in calm blues; another yells “Be brave!” in colours that inspire. This poet-artist blends epic and everyday like a cocktail mix. A humble teacup becomes a lesson in balance—try not to spill the tea, literally and metaphorically. Every canvas, every verse, is a lesson: not the boring kind, but the kind you’ll actually remember. Her exhibition is one definitely not to be missed.
“Tall Tails and Daily Doodlemice” by Shirley O’Regan – Artist’s Statement
On December 1st, 2020 I began the process of completing an art challenge called ‘December Daily’. The (self-imposed) challenge is to ‘show up’ and create a piece of art every day throughout the month of December. For me, and the Doodlemice, however, this process has not ended, even though the original challenge is long since completed. I have been ‘showing up’ and creating every day since. My characters – the Doodlemice – and their friends can best be described as whimsical but resilient minor characters in a developing novel who were a lot more ambitious than I gave them credit for! They show up every evening and I am always excited to draw their day and add to their narrative. Many of the images are part of the larger narrative of the emerging novel, while others are standalone pieces, partially inspired by events of the day, either in my own life or further afield.
My cartoons are created using archival ink and watercolour paints on professional grade textured watercolour paper. The majority of my pieces are A4 in size or smaller, to reflect the literal size of the figurative characters depicted, and to remind the viewer that small does not necessarily mean inconsequential.
The themes of my work include Irish mythology, nature, community, friendship, inclusivity and the increasing challenge of living a quiet life in a world that no longer seems to make room for that. My portfolio to date numbers more than 1,600 individual cartoons. The exhibition will include 60 original pieces.
There will also be a limited series of numbered prints, one design of which will have its proceeds donated to Star Rescue, a locally based animal welfare charity.
I am a teacher, writer, poet, podcaster and cartoonist who is passionate about the past and endlessly curious about the world as it is, and as it might be, given a little imaginative tweak here and there! My debut poetry collection, “Hopefully Ever After”, was published in November 2018. My Doodlemice and poems have gathered a large and supportive following on social media. My podcast has more than 40,000 dedicated listeners globally. I believe that art should be accessible, sustainable, enjoyable and part of everyday life.