Michael Ryan

My Grandad’s Smile, 2025

Age 11

Oil on canvas

‘I painted this portrait of my Grandad, Michael, because he is someone very special to me. I wanted to paint him holding his camera because he is a photographer. When I look at the finished painting, I feel proud because it is not just a painting of my Grandad — it is a painting of someone I love. Every photo taken by Grandad captures a moment in time and creates memories for so many people including me. 

I wanted the painting to look like my Grandad but also to show him through my eyes as his grandson, and I’m very proud of him.’

Meangadh Gáire Mo Sheanathar, 2025

Aois 11

Olaphictiúr ar chanbhás

‘Phéinteáil mé an phortráid seo de mo Sheanathair, Michael, de bhrí gur duine fíorspeisialta é. Bhí mé ag iarraidh é a phéinteáil lena cheamara ina lámh de bhrí gur grianghrafadóir é. Nuair a chaithim súil ar an bpictiúr críochnaithe mothaím bródúil. Tá níos mó i gceist ná pictiúr de mo Sheanathair — is pictiúr é de dhuine a bhfuil mé an-cheanúil air. Léirítear pointe ama ar leith i ngach grianghraf a ghlacann mo Sheanathair agus cruthaíonn siad cuimhní cinn do go leor daoine, mise freisin.

Bhí mé ag iarraidh go mbeadh an pictiúr a phéinteáil mé cosúil le mo Sheanathair ach bhí mé ag iarraidh é a léiriú trí mo shúile féin freisin, a gharmhac, agus tá mé an-bhródúil as.’

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