A businessman is enjoying unexpected success as an artist, after he started drawing again in locked down Dublin.
Shane Gillen's portraits of leading Irish figures have quickly become a social media hit, with commissions rolling in.
Mr Gillen, who is director of creative management and talent agency Big and Bright, said he had not done any drawing since he left school.
But the restrictions gave him the opportunity to rekindle his love of art.
"As a kid, I would have drawn all the time. I was top of the class in art at school and I loved it.
"But then life happened and work happened. I just hadn't drawn in years. And then when we were all forced into isolation, I decided to pick up the pencil and just see what I could do," he said.
From his home in Drumcondra, he has drawn portraits of Bono, Gay Byrne, Marian Finucane, Michael D Higgins, Leo Varadkar and Dr Tony Holohan, the Chief Medical Officer.
"I've just been using things I had in my house. One pencil, two black gel pens and a sketch pad. I have had the pad for years, but it was just sitting there empty."
Mr Gillen said he had been surprised by the response to his work after he uploaded videos and images of the portraits online.
"I've had a steady stream of emails for commissions. Mostly from people who can't be with their loved ones at the moment. Obviously, we're all in that same boat," he said.
Today brought further acknowledgment for the fledgling project, in the shape of a letter from President Michael D Higgins, who wrote: "It is so important that we stay engaged with each other in these special circumstances.
"I am grateful to citizens like you who use your talent and skills to bring light and joy into the lives of others as we undertake together this unprecedented journey."
Mr Gillen plans to continue drawing after the restrictions are lifted.
"I think I have learned a bit of a lesson. But it's mad because had the pandemic not happened, I wouldn't have even tried drawing again. So I would be silly to stop now," he said.
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