Book illustrates Conor’s creative talents

FROM an early age, Conor O’Brien just loved to sketch — any time, any place, anywhere.

This love of drawing, even while he was supposed to be listening to his teachers at school, helped the 14-year Dublin student secure his first job as the illustrator of a children's book.

Conor's creative gift was first spotted by a teacher at Scoil Mhuire primary school.

"Conor was a very talented artist, even then," recalls children's author, Pierce Feiritéar, who was then teaching at the all-Irish Dublin school. "He was forever doodling on the side of his copies."

Some years later, when the widely-published author went in search of an illustrator for his latest book, he didn't have far to travel. He contacted Conor, via his younger brother Daniel, and a new dimension to the relationship was forged.

"I was a bit nervous at the start but I soon forgot that he used to be my teacher," said Conor. "He gave me the script to read and then he put down about 15 key points on what he wanted to do and I had to draw them out of my head."

Brush - A Tale of Two Foxes, is the first venture into the heady world of publishing for Conor.

His front page colour illustration and black-and-white sketches throughout the book brilliantly complement a story line aimed at six to 10-year olds.

From June to August, Conor knuckled down to his commission, working every day on his sketches until both he and Pierce were happy with the outcome. Their collaborate venture was recently published by Pixie Books.

The creative vein runs in the O'Brien family. Conor's great-grandfather was a talented artist while his aunt, Terry Farrell, has done a painting for President Mary McAleese which hangs in Áras an Uachtaráin.

"I am hoping to do something in art," says the third-year student at Catholic University School. Having won many art competitions and made his professional debut, he has plenty of experience to draw upon.