LISA O’BRIEN
A pioneering artist with a golden mouth
By Lynda Cookson
Lisa O’Brien touched the Taoiseach this summer but her golden mouth just didn’t manage to get past a wobbly – ‘Those are my paintings over there…’ – words which he sadly did not hear and a light touch on his arm which he probably didn’t feel. It was the opening night of Ormonde Designs in Oranmore where Lisa’s work was displayed, and probably one of the few times in her life when she has felt a little over-awed. It doesn’t happen often. Lisa is known for her ability to pioneer and organise groups and situations she feels are necessary, jumping courageously into the deep end and talking a blue streak about her passions. She gave herself the golden mouth … there’s a self-portrait in her studio where she’s painted a block of golden paint over her mouth. When I asked her why, she said: ‘Because I talk too much!’
