10 Questions with muralist PJ Harnett

Muralist PJ Harnett, a Limerick native, is an accomplished artist with a diverse background spanning theatre set design, glass artistry, field archaeology, and teaching. Here he answers ten questions for I Love Limerick

Limerick born muralist PJ Harnett answers ten questions about his childhood, his love for art, and his creative process

Muralist PJ Harnett, a Limerick native, is an accomplished artist with a diverse background spanning theatre set design, glass artistry, field archaeology, and teaching.

Born in Limerick and raised in Moyross, PJ’s creative journey began after leaving school, eventually leading to the creation of unique Irish heritage images under the name Ireland The Old Country.

His work gained popularity in the U.S., where he spent 13 years, notably creating murals in West Baltimore and exhibiting in prestigious galleries. PJ has returned to Limerick, eager to contribute his artistic talents to the city’s vibrant mural scene.

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What was your childhood like in Limerick?

I grew up in Limerick in the late 70’s early 80’s. Although it was the dawn of computer games such as The Atari Video Game Console, much of my time was spent playing outside on the street. Kids in the neighbourhood would play the usual games such as kicking a football around, playing “Your It”, Conkers and Kerbs to name a few activities. Sometimes we would play outside long after the sun had set. Which I suppose in the winter in Ireland, wasn’t too late.

When did your love of art begin?

I guess I have always loved art. My favourite time at school was going to art class. I mean, it was probably everyone’s favourite class. I remember one time when I was at St. Munchins Secondary School ( now Gaelscoil Sáirséal ) we went to see the school hurling team play at the Gaelic Grounds. We had game programs and once the game was over we were encouraged to draw our impression of the game on a blank page at the back of the program.  Later that day, I was called to the principals office and I was told that I had the best drawing and was offered the grand prize £1 for coming first. It was a great honor and made me realize, maybe I am good at this art thing! I was also a ferocious doodler.

Tell us about your time in America and how did your time there help evolve your work?

I originally went to the US to promote my Irish Heritage Products at a Celtic Trade Show in New York. I only made it as far as Baltimore, Maryland, where I got involved with the local American Irish  Community. Within weeks of arriving, I was travelling up and down the east coast of America selling my wares at some of the many Irish festivals from New York to DC. People found out I could paint and draw so I started getting commissions. My big breakthrough was getting commissioned to create a mural for the Irish Railroad Workers Museum. I had never done murals before and I had fun doing this one.  Within a couple of years, I completed several murals throughout Southwest Baltimore. I also had several exhibits of my original art and photography. If it wasn’t for the support and encouragement of Baltimoreans towards my art and creativity I would not have considered being a full time artist as a career. For artists to thrive, they absolutely need moral support and for people to believe in them.

Can you tell us about your experience as a mural artist and the types of projects you have worked on in the past?

I mostly did interior and exterior murals on the side of buildings. I also painted on shipping containers for local urban farms and I repainted the pedestrian crossings around Hollins Market in South West Baltimore in various colors. As well as the enjoyment I got out of painting murals, I would also get so many positive comments from people passing by. It was so affirming as an artist when people get so excited by my work. I remember working on one mural, in a low-income community, the neighbours were so excited that I was there painting a mural that I felt it brought a sense of pride to their forgotten neighbourhood. Suddenly there was less rubbish around and I heard that some of the elderly ladies often shooed away anyone who dared try to deface my artwork. The last project I did in Baltimore was a series of interior murals at a newly opened pediatric dental studio. Dr. Irene Spates, owner of the practice, mentioned to me that the kids and parents who came in for some dental work, took selfies with some of my murals. So the biggest takeaway from my mural experience is that art transforms a place and brings joy to people.

How do you approach the process of creating a mural from concept to completion?

Mostly people reach out to me to create a mural. They usually have a wall or space organized and grants secured from the city to create a mural. They would tell me what they want and I would start putting concepts together. Then there would be a lot of back and forth between me and the client until a design is agreed on and finalized.  From first contact to finished mural could take anywhere between 6 months and 1 year to complete.

What techniques and materials do you typically use when creating murals?

Depending on the size of the project, I would either use a ladder, scaffolding, scissor lift or boom lift. Painting the mural is the easy part. I would have the reference drawing with grids on it. Then I would draw grids on a larger scale on the wall and paint square by square. I mostly use house paint for the artwork. I use paint brushes, and sometimes an industrial paint sprayer or a hand sprayer. Murals would take me between 2 to 6 weeks to finish.

How do you handle challenges or changes that may arise during the mural creation process?

My biggest challenge was painting  the business name of a company on a 30-foot chimney. The first 3 sides I could reach by boom lift, but at the back I had to use a ladder on a sloping roof to finish the job. That was nerve-wracking but I figured how to secure the ladder and conquered my fear of falling. I also painted a shipping container in 35° C weather. It was like painting an oven while it was on. I am a firm believer that there is always a solution to a problem and I believe in perseverance, trusting the process. Changes to the design do occur. But mostly nothing major. If it’s doable I can accommodate changes.

What advice would you give to other artists?

If you love art and creating, you will always be an artist even when life gets in the way of your dreams. You can pick up the brush or the pen any time. Always create for yourself and create art that makes you happy. When people see the love you put into your work, commissions and money will follow. And don’t listen to the naysayers.

What do you love most about Limerick?

Limerick is one of the most unique cities in Ireland. It has character, history and an amazing community spirit not to mention the wonderful Shannon River that has been the heartbeat of Limerick for over 850 years.