By Claire Corrigan
A number of vibrant and unique murals have been appearing throughout Mullin-gar over the last several months and they have been causing quite the stir. Last year, Columbia on Mount Street received a distinctive make over from Mullingar artist Davie McNamee otherwise know as CowboysDavie and it was not long before many locals were asking about the face behind the paintings.
Lately, Davie has been making quite a name for himself in the art world after being commissioned to complete several paintings and murals.
Sitting down to meet the artist, it’s clear to see his new profession agrees with him as he talks passionately about his work. “I’ve always drawn my whole life and mother has pictures that I did when I was kid. I did Art in First Year in school but I sort of lost interest in it after that. I kind of forgot about it and opened a barber shop in 2009 with my friend Peter called Mac’s Barbers. When I was working there, I started doing designs on people’s hair so even when I was doing hair, I was still drawing.”
Davie will not be drawn on whether an image of Donald Trump that appeared on the Springfield Tunnel last week is his work but admits that he likes to inject some realism into his work.
“I really like doing images of child soldiers because I think it is disgraceful so I try to cover controversial topics that mean something to me as well.”
Davie said that his love for painting really took hold during his time in Oz when he was introduced to “legal” graffiti. “I was working on building sites over there and didn’t do any art or cut hair because I was working six days a week for 10 hours a day. However, I moved into this really rough part of Melbourne and my whole house was covered in graffiti because it was a designated street art zone and you are legally allowed to paint. It’s absolutely massive over there and one of the best in the world to see street art.”
Davie said that he has plans to visit the official “City of Design” Berlin, which is home to incredible murals, in the coming year. “The city has such a troubled history and they use art to make something positive out of what could just be another dreary building. Same as with all the run down parts of America and Melbourne- all the horrible building are being made to look nice through art so that’s what I’m trying to do here.”
Davie completed his first mural in Melbourne about two years ago on the side of the house he was living in at the time.
“It came really naturally to me so I just kept going from there and since I came home, I have continued. I paint every single day now and if I’m not painting, all I think about is painting so I’m addicted to it now. I’ve found what I want to do now for the rest of my life. When I finished in school, I went straight into an apprenticeship as an electrician- just doing what everyone says you’re meant to do to get a job.
“But I want to let my passion be my life – that’s what I want to do,”said Davie.
Upon his return from Oz, Davie began painting straightaway and due to jet lag, spent his entire first night back in Ireland working on various pieces. He is currently in talks on receiving a commission to complete a full length mural along the walls of the Springfield Tunnel. “Street art is starting to progress so hopefully if I get the go-ahead I can do something really good. I see more interesting art around now whereas before, it was just kids writing abuse on walls. It’s horrible walking through the tunnel so I would love to bring some colour and vibrancy to it if I could,”stated Davie.
Davie’s work is on display throughout the town- as well as his incredible Columbia mural, he has also done paintings for The Stables and the Grange Resource Centre and did an incredible mural in Red Earth.
Of late, he has had more unusual requests and clearly relished the challenge of working outside the box.
“I did the bonnet of my friend’s car the other day. It’s like a snowball effect, everyone I do a job for, their friends want something done so it’s going well.
“I am doing a limousine in Longford today for a group of lads who are going to drive across every country in Europe. They want to paint every part of the limo so this is going to be my favourite one so far.
“I’ll be painting two pubs in Athlone and Athboy as well over the next few weeks and I’m booked up for nearly a full year. Facebook never stops with people wanting commissioned paintings,” he added.
The Mullingar native also currently has two paintings in the Chimera Gallery and two that will be shortly displayed at a London city centre gallery.
Despite his obvious talent, Davie, who is starting a tattoo apprenticeship shortly, admits that there is little money in painting, however, it’s clear the reward for him is not a monetary one.
“I have people writing to me on Snapchat saying that I have inspired them to paint and sending me pictures of their painting and I give them tips on their work and sometimes even give them projects to do.
“I love spreading the world of art and people doing what they want to do and not regretting your whole life,” he concluded.
You can see Davie’s work on his Facebook page Cowboydavies.
