The death has taken place of renowned watercolour artist and Pettigo native Anna Marie Leavy, née Moss.
She passed away at her home on Sunday, June 23 surrounded by her loving family.
Anna Marie was a renowned Irish watercolour artist whose work can be found in private and public collections all over the world. She exhibited widely in Ireland and around the world, including the UK, USA, Canada and Japan.
According to Kenny Gallery Galway: “Her work is inspired by Irish landscapes and its floras. She has developed her own distinctive and recognisable style in watercolours and in water based acrylics.
“Anna Marie’s new series of limited edition high quality prints use the Giclée printing process. The print is reproduced from an original artwork with pigment inks on pure white, heavyweight watercolour paper.”
Anna Marie Leavy was born in Pettigo and attended the National College of Art and Design, Dublin.
She lived and taught art in Dumfries, Scotland and Downpatrick, County Down for many years before settling down in Mullingar in 1971.
As well as teaching art through the VEC Adult Education Programme for many years, Anna Marie contributed greatly to the development and promotion of visual arts.
Her early years in Donegal played a big part in influencing her creative development.
The late artist’s website reads: “She herself says her love of nature and watercolour paintings stems from the seed set in her childhood years – through her mother’s enthusiasm and constant encouragement of her sketching and painting.
“Anna Marie’s reputation as a transparent watercolourist of note has grown steadfastly over the years.
“She has a record of successful annual exhibitions with the Royal Hibernian Academy and the Watercolour Association of Ireland as well as Combridges Fine Art Gallery, Suffolk Street; the Distinguished Artists Gallery, Molesworth Street and Bank of Ireland, College Green, Dublin. Her solo exhibitions in Kenny’s of Galway and Sligo Art Gallery are also noteworthy.
“Internationally, Anna Marie has worked with artists in England, Canada and Japan. She has taken part in exhibitions in Connecticut and Washington, USA and the Municipal Art Museum, Tokyo, as part of the UNESCO International Friendship exhibition.
“Her solo exhibitions include the Municipal Gallery in the Perfectual Cultural Centre, Fukui and the Saiwai Gallery, Kawasaki, both in Japan.”
Anna Marie is predeceased by her husband Oliver, son Kieran, brother James, and sisters Sr Helena and Regina.
She is survived by her children Niall, Emer, Ronan, Aidan, Sarah and Rose Anna, their spouses and partner, Cécile, Bryan, Bernie, Marcela, Dermot and Aidan, her grandchildren Antoine, Clodagh, Tristan, Áine, Niamh, Cian, Róisín, Amy, Alex, Sebastian, Aran, Saibh, Daniel, Aodhín, Ólan and Caitlyn, brother Joseph (Canada), sister-in-law Áine, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and many friends.
Her remains will repose at Gilsenan’s Funeral Home N91 K660 on Tuesday from 6pm concluding with prayers at 8pm.
Anna Marie’s Funeral Mass will take place on Wednesday at 11am in the Cathedral of Christ the King followed by burial in Ballyglass Cemetery