Published: Wednesday, 11th August, 2010 12:17pm

Belturbet councillor's fine brush strokes

Peggy Gray captures a magic moment in time through the eyes of one of the town's great legends, the late Frank Rice.

Being a town councillor in Belturbet is not all about attending meetings and getting potholes filled, as Cllr. Peggy Gray can testify. She is a woman of many talents and has been quietly creating a stir in the art world for some 13 years.

It would be fair to assume at this stage that the affable Peggy has a flair for painting and her depictions of landmarks in the area, past and present, have earned critical acclaim.

People commission her to paint favourite scenes for them and her work on canvas is outstanding. Her recent painting of the late Frank Rice, a character on the Belturbet landscape for decades, encompasses the essence of a unique man.

She works from a studio at her home in Sean Lee Drive, and once she enters her haven of tranquillity leaves the world outside the door.

Peggy takes pride in organising competitions for young people in the town and her initiative during the Festival of the Erne attracted superb entries. Ciara Fitzpatrick's painting of a fisherman from bygone days, William (Billy) McAvoy was a w inner, as was Niamh Brosnan's depiction of the Town Hall and how it looked as a Market House.

She is organising an arts competition with an Irish theme during Fleadh Cheoil 2010. Getting the youth involved in painting lays a foundation for the future and gives them insight into their talents, says Peggy. They show great interest in the competitions and the parents are supportive.

The penchant for painting and creativity runs in the Gray family and Peggy's daughter Shauna turns out beautiful work in pen and ink - some of her creations include the old Convent of Mercy building and the Town Hall.

Peggy went to college in Enniskillen for two years and is now set to return there with a view to getting a degree. That will take a further three years and she quips, who knows after that?!

Many of her paintings of the various buildings like the old Chapel at Railway Road, which pre-dates the new Church of the Immaculate Conception, and her brother Pat Murnane's house capture the town of bygone days.

The paintings of Elizabeth McGinley's home, a listed building and a former home of Percy French, is also superb... Alice Millar's house along the Erne was demolished years ago but is recaptured with accuracy. These images take many Belturbet people back to their school days and the sights and sounds of a more innocent era.

Peggy has also painted excellent portraits of her daughters and her brother Pat. She hopes to concentrate more on portraits as goes through college. The prospect of teaching children art is something she will consider when she has a degree under her belt.

She does oils, acrylics, sketching and water colours, and every time she walks along the river or around Belturbet, the natural beauty inspires her to produce more work back at the studio.

With other artists, Peggy goes to London in January every year to visit places like the National Portrait Gallery and the Tate Modern. In college students are encouraged to comment on each other's work and learn from this critical analysis. "We are honest with other and the various discussions and comments can lead to even further creativity and inspiration," says Peggy.

She would encourage people who find themselves out of work and have any artistic flair to give it a lash. It could open a window of opportunity for a new career. "Don't be afraid to try your hand - you'll never know what your artistic potential is unless you commit your efforts to a blank canvass."

Illustrating that there are other facets to this councillor's locker of skills, Peggy revealed that she put on a craft demonstration during the festival; it included imparting the techniques of crochet, lace work, embroidery and fine lace.

It was amazing how many people in the area expressed an interest in learning these skills. Peggy pointed out that in many instances young people are no longer taught how to knit.

Peggy maintains you are never too old to change career or learn new skills. With the possibility of the retirement age rising in the future, people will be required to prolong their working lives and even if you don't change your career along the way, your hobby can be used to complement your lifestyle and peace of mind.

The creativity of the Irish people is unique and the display of arts and crafts at agricultural shows like Virginia gives an insight into what people of all ages are doing all over the region.

Peggy also enjoys her council work and there is a great sense of achievement when you highlight issues on behalf of the people and then stay on the case until they reach successful conclusions. Who knows, she may get out a few extra brushes in the near future and do portraits of her colleagues on the council. Who will be the first to hit the canvas, what about the new chairman, the colourful Seamus Fitzpatrick?