We Are Randox | Christmas Traditions at Randox
Christmas time at Randox is always something to look forward to. Each year the different sites are brightly decorated, the Christmas tree goes up and everyone is full of Christmas cheer.
And with Christmas 2016 around the corner we thought that we would share with you some festive traditions that take place here at Randox.
It starts with some fairy lights and tiny Santas, and suddenly you realise you’re in a Winter Wonderland at Randox at Christmas time. Teresa is almost hidden at Ardmore reception by a miniature fir tree, decked with balls and stars! Wherever you are in the company, you will find festive cheer – this is a time of year when Randox goes to town, not only for its staff and their children but also charities and people in need.
It began in 1982, the same year the company was founded. Mrs FitzGerald invited all the staff to bring their children to work on the final Friday before Christmas, where they were greeted by Santa and given a present. As the company has grown so too has Santa’s list and this year his very busy helper Steven Moore has searched high and low for the perfect gift for 108 girls and boys! Each year the room is always jam-packed and the air filled with joy and small squeaks of excitement, and 2016 is of course no different.
Over the years new traditions have been added and everyone looks forward to the now legendary Randox Christmas raffle where there are always some fabulous prizes to be won. This year our raffle takes place on Friday 23rd December, and prizes include a 55” TV, an iPad and an extra day’s holiday which is always a popular prize! All money raised by the raffle is going towards the very worthy cause of Hope 365, an Antrim based charity that works to help street children in Ethiopia.
Then it’s time for ‘Secret Santa’ organised within each department. From a hat names are drawn, and you have to buy a present for whoever you pick! This has been a great tradition carried on by Randox staff for many years. It’s always fun to see what people get and trying to guess who was behind it!
As well as many individual team Christmas dinners over the month of December, the annual company-wide Christmas lunch is something many people look forward to. This year we’ll have almost 100 people joining us at the luxurious Merchant Hotel in Belfast on Thursday 22nd December.
Not only do our teams get involved in the Christmas festivities but they also organise a number of events to raise money for charities. This year we took part in Christmas Jumper Day on the 16th December for ‘Save the Children’ and raised a staggering £640.52!
We are also organising a collection for ‘Help the Homeless’, donating hats, scarfs, gloves to help keep everyone warm during the winter months. Our Randox Teoranta team in Donegal also donated 54 Christmas shoeboxes for the annual Team Hope Ireland Appeal.
We hope that you have enjoyed reading about some our traditions here at Randox and we wish you an enjoyable and relaxing time with your family at this time of year. Season’s Greetings!
For more information on our Christmas traditions at Randox please contact randoxpr@randox.com
Inflammatory Biomarker Series: CRP
An inflammatory biomarker detects inflammation in the body. Inflammation is not just the immediate, short-term response of the body to an injury or infection. Inflammation within the body can be a long-term, chronic condition resulting in a number of health implications. In diagnostics, measurement of an inflammatory biomarker can not only detect acute inflammation but provide a marker of treatment response.
C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation, infection and tissue injury. CRP is a particularly beneficial inflammatory biomarker as it is detected much faster than other markers in the blood. Levels of CRP increase when inflammation occurs and therefore it can be a significant biomarker in a range of diseases, including the following.
Cardiovascular Disease
An increasing amount of research exists to suggest CRP is not only a useful, non-specific inflammatory biomarker, but it may have a direct influence on coronary heart disease and cardiac events1. Inflammation can occur when LDL cholesterol builds up in the artery walls causing atherosclerosis. Modifiable risk factors of atherosclerosis include smoking, diabetes, poor diet, high blood pressure and physical inactivity, all factors which subsequently increase the risk of heart attacks, ischemic stroke, peripheral artery disease and even vascular dementia2,3.
Studies have also shown that persistent low levels of CRP can contribute to a person developing CVD. Therefore using high sensitivity CRP as an inflammatory biomarker can detect low levels, helping to predict the likelihood of a patient developing CVD in the future.
Diabetes
Research suggests that inflammation in the body can influence the development of type 2 diabetes. With the ability to be managed through diet and exercise, type 2 diabetes is commonly associated with obesity. Research has shown that excess body fat can cause continuous chronic low-grade inflammation as a result of inflammatory cytokines and increased plasma levels of CRP. As a result, this chronic inflammation has the ability to cause insulin resistance leading to the development of type 2 diabetes4.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
A three year study which analysed the bone and joint health of 10,000 patient samples in India has found that inflammatory biomarkers, in particular CRP and ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) were raised in most of the samples compared to any other markers5. Although CRP is a non-specific inflammatory biomarker, it can be used alongside other tests, such as Rheumatoid Factor, to diagnose inflammatory joint diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis. Not only will CRP levels be higher due to chronic inflammation, but CRP levels can be monitored to assess levels of inflammation over time, allowing clinicians offer effective treatment.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
COPD is a condition associated with inflammation of the lungs and airways. Studies have shown that measuring CRP levels is beneficial to detect exacerbations, when symptoms of COPD get suddenly worse and can last for several days. This is because CRP levels spike when exacerbations happen, causing lung function to deteriorate6.
Neonatal Bacterial Infections
CRP is one of the preferred and frequently used tests in neonatal units when diagnosing suspected bacterial infections, such as neonatal sepsis, in newborns who show signs on infection. Due to delayed synthesis during the inflammatory response, the sensitivity of CRP is lowest during early stages of infection. It is therefore critical that extremely low levels of CRP can be detected during diagnosis to distinguish whether symptoms are related to an infectious or non-infectious condition. This early detection then allows for rapid and appropriate neonatal treatment7.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Research suggests that using CRP as an inflammatory biomarker can help distinguish between Inflammatory Bowel Disorder (IBD) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)8. Although IBD and IBS have some similarities in symptoms, IBD causes chronic inflammation, whereas IBS is a non-inflammatory condition. Therefore using CRP as a biomarker can allow clinicians to deliver a confident and accurate diagnosis.
For health professionals
Randox Laboratories manufacture a wide range routine and niche biochemistry reagents for use in both a research and clinical setting. With a wide measuring range, the Randox CRP assay will perform excellently to detect levels outside of the healthy range. Also available is a Full Range CRP assay particularly beneficial for use in a neonatal setting, and a High Sensitivity CRP assay, depending on your diagnostic requirements. For more information, please contact: reagents@randox.com
References:
- Shrivastava, A. K., Singh, H.V., Raizada, A. and Singh, S.K. C-reactive protein, inflammation and coronary heart disease. The Egyptian Heart Journal. 67, 89-97. (2015)
- American Heart Association. Inflammation and Heart Disease. Available from: https://goo.gl/d82Ynr (2016)
- Harvard Health Publications. What you eat can fuel or cool inflammation. Harvard Health Publications. Available from: https://goo.gl/e8m3El (2007)
- Zeyda, M. and Stulnig, T. M. Obesity, Inflammation, and Insulin Resistance – A Mini-Review. Gerontology 2009; 55:379-386 (2009)
- Mukherjeel, R. Bone and joint health are crucial aspect, usually ignored by Indians. The Times of India. Available from: https://goo.gl/qluzhI (2016)
- Anderson, G. P. COPD, asthma and C-reactive protein. European Respiratory Journal 2006; 27: 874-876. (2006)
- Hofer, N., Zacharias, E., Müller, W. and Resch, B. An update on the Use of C-Reactive Protein in Early-Onset Neonatal Sepsis: Current Insights and New Tasks. Neonatology 2012; 102: 25-36 (2012)
- Silva, P. Two Specific Proteins Allow the Exclusion of IBD in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. IBD News Today. Available from: https://goo.gl/pxMP53 (2015)
Celebrate Christmas with Randox Quality Control
T’was the week before Christmas and all through the lab not a thing could be heard not even a sound. The analyser lay silent asleep in the corner, the lab staff at home dreaming of a few days’ rest, only a few more days to go before the big day!
The big man in red, what will he bring those who already have everything? Peace, happiness and health for their loved ones throughout the festive break, that would be the wish for everyone to make. And what better way to ensure they stay healthy, well it all begins in the laboratory…
An important consideration to remember when choosing your lab Quality Control (QC) is that approximately 70% of clinical decisions are based on laboratory test results. It is therefore essential that the results gained from laboratory testing are accurate and reliable in order to provide the appropriate treatment and avoid or prevent potential misdiagnosis.
Patient results are of the utmost importance for a laboratory and therefore running the best Quality Control material should be at the top of their agenda. QC material should have a number of features that allow a lab to judge the overall quality of their output. These features include the controls ability to be commutable (which means how well it reacts as a replicate of a patient sample), is it a true third party control that has been manufactured to provide an independent and unbiased assessment of performance, does your control come with clinically relevant levels and does it have a long shelf life as well as a good open vial or reconstituted stability? These are the questions lab staff will be asking themselves when deciding on what QC is the right QC.
So stay off Santa’s naughty list by providing accurate and reliable patient test results, do this by employing Randox QC in your laboratory. Our controls have been designed to deliver significant cost savings without sacrificing on quality. With consolidated controls (combining up to 100 analytes in a single vial) your lab can reduce QC costs and preparation time, the inclusion of analytes present at clinical decision levels will eradicate the need for additional controls and because of our long shelf life (2 years for liquid controls, 4 years for lyophilised) and excellent stability claims your laboratory can be sure that expensive lot changes will be a thing of the past! Our controls can be described as true third party and this, combined with the commutable nature of the controls, leads to us being able to claim that we have the best Quality Control material around.
So this Christmas when deciding what QC to choose – make sure you look no further than Randox Quality Control. Our QC family is known as Acusera and our product offering includes QC and calibrator material, Interlaboratory Data Management Program (Acusera 24.7), the world’s largest international EQA/PT scheme better known as RIQAS and the newest addition to the family, Linearity or Calibration Verification material.
We have packages for every lab regardless of size and budget and we guarantee you will become ho-ho-hooked on Randox QC.
Wishing you all season’s greetings and a prosperous New Year from everyone at Randox QC.
We Are Randox | Randox Scientist Marta Crudden inspires the next generation of scientists at St. Bride’s Primary School
As a world-leader in diagnostics, dedicated to improving the health of populations across the globe, we know the importance of inspiring and nurturing the next generation of scientists who will carry on our hard work and strive to realise our vision.
Our scientists at Randox are all equally passionate, knowledgeable and experienced, and as such often make visits to schools, universities and colleges to spend time with students interested in asking our team about what it’s like to work in a global healthcare company.
This month, Marta Crudden, an R&D Scientist in our Serum Production Team, paid a visit to St. Bride’s Primary School in Belfast, to spend the day with the pupils there and showcase what a career in science has to offer.
Marta commented;
“When I was offered the opportunity to speak at St. Bride’s Primary School I jumped at the chance, because I am passionate about encouraging school children to pursue a career in STEM. I have a Biomedical Degree from Queen’s University and also spent 5 years there conducting cancer research, so science has played a big part in my life.
“I was delighted to be able to share my experiences with the children, who were very interested in what I had to say. It was very enjoyable listening to and answering their imaginative questions, and I particularly enjoyed the presentation I gave to the pupils on DNA, because they were all incredibly curious and eager to learn more.
“They were fascinated to hear that all cells, not just humans, have DNA, and therefore were throughly attentive when we moved on to our interactive session on DNA. During this session I showed them how to extract DNA from strawberries and what it really looks like in a real organism.
“This prompted a lot of interesting questions about cloning animals, including dinosaurs! There is nothing quite like the imagination and curiosity of children!
“A few days after my day at St Bride’s I received a number of messages from some of the parents saying thank you for my talk, and for inspiring their kids to become interested in science.
“I like to think that some of those children will go on to choose STEM subjects when they go to highschool, and could even end up working here at Randox! I’m delighted to have been able to share the work we do with the next generation of scientists.”
For more information on how Randox promotes STEM careers within schools and universities please contact randoxpr@randox.com
QC Shelf Life – Why is it Important?
An important consideration when choosing your Quality Control material that is often overlooked is the shelf life of the control. With every new lot of control extensive validation studies must be performed. Regulatory bodies such as CLIA require new lot numbers to be evaluated before routine use in the laboratory. For example, CLIA has instructed that any new control lot to be run alongside patient samples will need to be verified alongside the old lot of control. The process is designed to give laboratory professionals confidence in the new material and ensure it is fit for purpose before implementing it in the lab.
As part of the validation process laboratories are required to assay both the old and new lots side by side. The current lot is then used to help verify if the new lot will be acceptable to run within the lab. Such validation studies can be very costly for a lab as well as being extremely time consuming – with some studies taking up to a month to complete! By choosing a control with a longer shelf life laboratories can aim to use the same lot of control for a longer time period. Ultimately this means fewer lot changes and minimal inconvenience for the lab. With a shelf life of 2 years for liquid controls and up to 4 years for lyophilised, coupled with unrivalled stability claims, employing Randox Quality Control in your laboratory will ensure that expensive lot changes will be a thing of the past. Our comprehensive control offering is guaranteed to increase efficiency and reduce costs in any laboratory without compromising on quality.
Contact us today to find out more information on our Acusera range of Quality Controls.
Randox launches Chinese market growth initiative in Shanghai
Following 18 months of extensive market research and infrastructural developments, global healthcare diagnostics company Randox Laboratories has this week launched a new market expansion programme in Shanghai in China, to help develop and strengthen business relationships and increase exports.
To mark the roll out of the initiative, Randox is hosting a conference in Shanghai for its most recently acquired distributor networks, who will benefit from training on Randox’s latest healthcare technologies, designed to facilitate early and accurate diagnosis to improve patient outcomes.
Susan Hammond, Global Product Manager at Randox Laboratories, commented on Randox’s Chinese expansion plans at the company’s Shanghai training conference;
“China is one of our most important markets and we have been exporting our world-class diagnostic products there for over 20 years. With increased output from our innovative R&D programmes, and enhanced manufacturing capabilities, including new facilities at Randox Science Park, we have an increasing range of high quality products, which are in demand in growing and dynamic markets such as China. We are now actively growing our market presence in order to improve our penetration and subsequent support to customers.”
As well as providing education on the latest diagnostic developments to conference attendees, Randox are also hosting over 300 guests at Camerata Ireland Concerts in Shanghai, Beijing and Wuhan over the coming week. Randox are Global Sponsors of Camerata Ireland and are delighted to showcase to Chinese audiences not only the science and innovation that come from our shores, but also the breadth of cultural talent.
Susan continued;
“Our infrastructural changes within the Chinese market have been in planning and development for the last 18 months and we are delighted that our support of the talented Camerata Ireland orchestra on their Chinese tour this month gives us the opportunity to visit key business partners while simultaneously supporting our young musicians in their careers.”
The Camerata Ireland Orchestra, whose joint patrons are Michael D Higgins, President of Ireland and Queen Elizabeth II, begin their tour on the 9th December in Shanghai, when the all-Ireland orchestra will perform a diverse tapestry of classical music, led by Camerata Ireland founder and 1986 Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition Winner Barry Douglas.
Barry Douglas, Founder and Artistic Director of Camerata Ireland said;
“Following a successful tour in China last year we are delighted to be back, and it is particularly special for our Solo Flautist Eimear McGeown as this tour marks her Chinese debut. On behalf of everyone in Camerata Ireland I would like to take this opportunity to thank our global sponsor, Randox, without whom our international touring would not be possible. We are delighted to be able to work together across the world to showcase our musical and business talent to a global audience.”
The Camerata Ireland tour of China is as follows: Friday 9th December in The Shanghai Grand Theatre in Shanghai, in the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Bejing on the 10th and for the final installment of their China tour, Camerata Ireland will perform in the Wuhan Qintai Concert Hall in Wuhan.
For more information about the launch of our Chinese market growth initiative, please contact randoxpr@randox.com
We Are Randox | Randox Teoranta get in the Christmas Spirit with Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal
‘Tis the season of giving! And our team of scientists, engineers and office staff at Randox Teoranta, in Co. Donegal, Ireland have embraced this wholeheartedly, by getting involved with the Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal.
For the past 18 years Team Hope, a charity based in Ireland (with the help of businesses, schools, and individuals) have delivered Christmas shoebox gifts to over three million children in some of the remotest and poorest parts of the world.
Many of these children’s families have to survive on less than €1 a day.
Those who get involved with the Team Hope Shoebox Appeal bring a ray of hope and joy to children who think they’ve been forgotten about at Christmas time.
Last year, 212,002 people across Ireland got involved with the Team Hope Shoebox Appeal, and this year, we are extremely proud that our Teoranta team took the time to fill an incredible 54 Christmas shoeboxes.
The team filled their boxes with gifts and useful items for the children, who will open their boxes on Christmas Day to find the wonderful surprises waiting for them inside!
These ranged from items for school like a pen, pencil, book, colouring pencils or calculator, to hygiene items such as toothbrush and toothpaste, soap, a facecloth, hairbrush and comb, plus clothes including hats, scarves, gloves and socks.
Finally, the staff made sure to include an extra special little something for each child to open up on Christmas Day! These included games, sweets, musical instruments, cuddly toys and skipping ropes.
Each box was then carefully gift wrapped with care in festive Christmas wrapping paper.
Claire Newbon, Manufacturing Operative, introduced the Showbox Appeal to Randox Teoranta and found that everyone was really keen to get involved.
“Within the team here at Randox Teoranta we are all very fortunate to have great jobs, loving families and a roof over our heads. But we are very aware that there are adults and children in other parts of the world who aren’t so lucky, through no fault of their own.
“At the most joyful time of the year, the Teoranta team wanted to be able to share the magic of Christmas with those children who would otherwise not get any presents.”
Katie Sweeney, Randox Teoranta Receptionist who co-ordinated the Shoebox Appeal Project for the team, added;
“Our boxes were collected by members of Team Hope and it is lovely to know that they will be opened by children less fortunate than us across the world. Staff in each department really got involved and we’re really proud of our achievement of creating over 50 boxes. Each box will make Christmas that little bit better for a child so we’re glad to have been able to help in some way. Merry Christmas to all the children who are helped by Team Hope, and of course to everyone at Team Hope for the fantastic work they do.”
For more information about how Team Teoranta got involved in the Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal, please contact randoxpr@randox.com
Children at increased risk of drug-resistant infections after taking antibiotics
Children who are prescribed antibiotics are 12 times more at risk of acquiring drug-resistant infections in the weeks afterwards, according to a leading public health figure.
Public Health England medical director Paul Cosford told the Science and Technology Committee this week that the risk is greater for younger people than it is for adults.
“We’ve got good evidence that if you or I have a course of antibiotics now, within three months our risk is three times to get a resistant infection of some sort because we’ve had the antibiotics affecting all the organisms in our bodies. If you’re a child you’re 12 times more likely to get a resistant infection in the three months after a course of antibiotics.”
Whilst acknowledging that the drugs do a have part to play, Cosford stressed this had to be done correctly – and compared antibiotics to “using a pesticide in a rich woodland.” At the same time as tackling the harmful infection the drugs will destroy useful bacteria in the gut.
The information was taken from two major reviews on the routine-use of antibiotics in primary care, and he said the results underline the importance of continued efforts to decrease prescription rates.
“There is a growing body of evidence that taking antibiotics makes it more likely that your next infection will be a resistant one, so prudent use of these life-saving medicines is essential.”
One review looked at children who had urinary tract infections and found that they were more than 13 times more likely to have contracted drug-resistant strains if they had been given antibiotics in the previous six months.
The 2014 Longitude Prize survey of antibiotics in primary care revealed that 90% of British GPs felt pressure from patients to give out the drugs, and almost half had done so knowing it would not treat the patient’s condition.
Mark Woolhouse, Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at Edinburgh University told The Guardian that the consequences of antibiotic resistance required a global plan, just as with climate change. However he added that, “In terms of the threat to my own health, and that of my children, and my family’s health, I am much more concerned about antimicrobial resistance than I am about climate change.”
Randox is supporting the battle against antibiotic resistance. Our wide range of related products includes our Respiratory Multiplex Array which tests 22 common virus and bacteria pathogens can detect whether an antibiotic should be prescribed.
John Lamont, Chief Scientist at Randox Laboratories, whose team developed the molecular test, commented;
“Current diagnostic testing for respiratory infections takes at least 36 hours to confirm the nature of an infection, and they cannot name and categorise infections as bacterial or viral in the way that our respiratory test can. C-reactive protein tests, for example, that are currently in use can only indicate whether a bacterial infection is likely. We need more than just guess work to combat the antibiotic resistance pandemic.”
For more information, please visit http://www.randox.com/respiratory-multiplex-array/ or contact RandoxPR@randoxcom
On the journey to the Randox Health Grand National…Rule The World returns to Mouse Morris’ stables in Tipperary
On a crisp and sunny winter morning in the County Tipperary countryside, Grand National 2016 winner Rule The World returned to the busy stables that prepared him for his victory over Aintree’s fences.
Trainer Mouse Morris had not seen his winning horse since he made the decision to retire him earlier this year, and so the launch of the Randox Health Grand National 2017 was an emotional reunion for all involved.
Winning jockey David Mullins was also there to welcome back his Grand National partner. His win with Rule The World was a fantastic introduction to the world’s most famous race – a victory on his very first attempt!
And the team from Everardsgrange Stables in Fethard fancy their chances at another Aintree victory – this year entering three horses in the Randox Health Grand National, including Irish Grand National winner Rogue Angel.
Morris explained;
“There is no point in sleeping if you don’t dream. To win the Grand National with him would be a dream come true.”
Stuart Penrose, Global Marketing Manager for Randox, was excited for the journey to the Randox Health Grand National 2017 to begin;
“The Grand National is a massive race right across the world, and this year the teams expect the new broadcaster ITV will deliver an audience in excess of 12m. While we’re a global leader in the business world, we are now launching ourselves as a company with direct interaction with the public through our Randox Health clinics and we couldn’t have picked a better way to broadcast our message. We are extremely happy.”
Eamon Lenehan, Global Marketing Manager, commented;
“It is truly one of those events that transcends the sport. I think what really resonated with us is that it is known as ‘The People’s Race’, and so our commitment to improving people’s lives through health is a great fit.”
While the race is so accessible, its popularity and wonder also lies in its unpredictability. Rule The World, a horse who’d been carefully brought back from a twice fractured pelvis, won the race in 2016 as a maiden over fences.
John Baker, Aintree Managing Director, rounded off a wonderful day at Mouse Morris’ yard by saying;
“Hopefully we can write some more history next year.”
Listen to the full interviews with Mouse Morris, Eamon Lenehan, Stuart Penrose and John Baker, with Racing Journalist Dave Keena below!
For more information about the Stable Visit, please contact randoxpr@randox.com
We Are Randox | Randox Artist-in-Residence Joe McGuinness on his passion for art, his love of drawing and his plans to release a second novel
Through our We Are Randox stories we aim to showcase all our employees’ skills and talents and with a dedicated workforce of over 1400 people we are always spoilt for choice!
This week we sat down with artist Joe McGuinness, who joined our team only six weeks ago, to hear all about his passion for art, his love of drawing and his plans to release a second novel.
“I was about seven years old when I first realised that I was going to be an artist. I remember my mother was pregnant with my baby brother, she was unwell and I found her curled up on our sofa. So I went and got some paper and a pencil and decided that I was going to draw a portrait of her. To this day I can still remember the expression on her face when I showed her the finished piece. It was her reaction and the look in her eyes that kicked me off and I knew in that exact moment that art was going to be a big part of my life.”
As Joe went on to study Art and Design for three years at the Rupert Stanley College located in Belfast he found himself more interested in learning about the history of artists’ lives and what inspired them to produce art.
“I love the works of Paul Gauguin, Paul Cezanne and Vincent Van Gogh and I am fascinated by his life. There has been many an afternoon where I have just sat down and looked up as many channels as I can to find out more about him and how he lived. Similarly to Van Gough I tell a story or a personal journey that I have been on through my art. I do have an emotional connection to some of my art, they mean a lot to me and I wouldn’t part with them.
“My favourite piece is a piece called “Lock and Key.” There is a lock and a key hidden in the picture and I will only reveal where it is to the person that I pass it on to.”
“It’s great when I get to barter with my art.”
“I was once asked to do a painting of a friend’s house up in Donegal. So I said I would if they gave me the keys of the house so I could go up and stay in it for a week in August with my wife. There was another occasion when I was asked from a friend of a fella originally from County Antrim if I could reconstruct an old dwelling that he grew up in. It turned out he was a multi-millionaire who is now about 90 years of age living out in New Zealand. Sometime after I had sent the painting to New Zealand I received a letter back from his wife. She said when he first saw the picture he cried. It’s now his pride and joy, and has been placed in his study where he sits and looks at it. I find that incredible and that’s what makes me glad that I am an artist.
“I like to draw while I’m away on holidays, I find that I can relax in the good weather and just sit and draw. I remember back when I was in Milan, there was this little fountain spouting water. It wasn’t famous or of much interest to the passers-by but I thought it would make a beautiful picture. So I sat down and started to draw it when a gentleman came and asked could he join me. It turned out that he was a professional photographer from Paris and loved my art work. It’s great when you can make friends out of something that you love. “
“Through my art I have met a range of friends all over the globe, from France, to Rome, Sicily, Milan, Australia, it just goes on.”
“Most Saturdays you can find me downstairs in the Conway Mill. I sit and draw next to where my artwork is displayed and people sometimes like to look on and watch while I’m drawing. My favourite type of medium to paint with is acrylics but I can teach a range of different techniques. Wax etching is a beautiful technique which I learnt whilst I was studying art. Sometimes people stop and ask me questions about my pictures or about certain techniques and I would invite them back the following week to join me.”
“In my first ever exhibition I sold about 90% of my work.”
“It feels incredible to say that my art has been bought by people all over the world from New York, Europe and as far as Australia. The great-great niece of the famous Ned Kelly has some of my work. I have also donated work to Autism New York to help raise money for autism which is a cause I am very passionate about.
“In the future I would like to get more involved in the design aspect of art. I have been asked if my drawings could be used for prints for duvets covers and also for pottery and vases which would be great so I’m going to start looking into that. I’m also currently looking at property in Alvor in Portugal- that’s where I want to be in nine years’ time. My hope is that I can retire there and open up my own art academy. There is nothing greater than a group of artists sitting together and talking art and learning from each other. I’m also working on some illustrations for my second book that is based on events that have happened throughout my life. I think it will be a much deeper Joe than what you got to read about in my first book, ‘Rainbow over the Black Mountain’.
“My wish for the future, when I’m gone is for museums across Ireland – north and south – to have their pick of my art collection. In some of my paintings that I sold I have hidden letters inside the frame explaining the inspiration behind the painting, just to add that little extra personal touch to them. Sure you never know, in a hundred years’ time someone might find some of my letters… now wouldn’t that be a story worth telling!”
**Joe would like to offer a special thanks to Maureen Shields (Supervisor) and Cathy Hurrell (HR) and to the rest of Randox staff and employees. Following Joe’s time with us he added “You’re a great bunch of people.” **
Thank you Joe for spending the time to discuss your art work with us. We can’t wait to read your second novel and see all the wonderful images that will come with it.
For more information about our wonderful mulit-talented team here at Randox, please contact randoxpr@randox.com
