Person to Person: Stan Notte says creating art is what makes him happy

Tell us about yourself;

Here’s one approach (written by someone else):

A ionate, genial, and articulate individual who enjoys providing others with opportunities to develop themselves, their skills, and their art.

Active in his community for 40 years, contributing in a wide variety of settings. Highly visible as a performer, organiser, and a promoter of events in the Irish arts community for over a decade.

Here’s another:

’60s kid.

21 years in the naval service.

Self-employed.

Grew up in London.

Returned to Cork in 1976 speaking Queen’s English (not a good thing).

Music lover with no - and I mean NO - musical talent.

Married young.

Still wants to be an Oompa Loompa.

Where were you born?

Chiswick, London

Where do you live?

Glasheen, Cork

Family?

Four kids, eldest almost 40, youngest 29.

Two boys and two girls.

Now separated.

Best friend?

Can’t mention one without upsetting thousands. So I’ll take the 5th, thank you.

Earliest childhood memory?

Standing on a table with brushes and pans as instruments singing Sugar Sugar with my brothers and sisters.

Person you most ire?

John Lennon

Person who most irritates you?

At the moment it has to be DT, but most politicians not answering a question will wreck my head.

Where was your most memorable holiday?

China

Favourite TV programme?

The Big Bang Theory (which I hope won’t be as hard to watch in years to come as some of my childhood faves now are. (The Six Million Dollar Man is just terrible!)

Favourite radio show?

BBC Music 6 is a life-saver.

Your signature dish if cooking?

I do a mean steak

Favourite restaurant?

14a

Last book you read?

Currently reading Fintan O’Toole’s brilliant We Don’t Know Ourselves.

Best book you read?

Sooooo many.

The Artist Way, A Day Called Hope, Measle And The Wrathmonk. The Giant Jam Sandwich, The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas, Skellig, In God’s Name, The Tenement Kid.

Last album/CD/ you bought?

Pet Sounds Acapella (on Vinyl).

Favourite song?

Cannot answer that. No way one can pick one if you’re a music fan, which I AM! So, don’t ask again.

One person you would like to see in concert?

John Lennon.

Do you have a pet?

Yes.

Morning person or night owl?

Mixture now - was a night owl for many years, as I get older (and I am old now!) more and more a morning person. Is that normal? (asking for a friend)

Your proudest moment?

I don’t really do pride, which is sad. But none of my siblings do either. That old school upbringing, hey.

My kids would be top of the list though. Seeing a child arrive into this world is an awesome thing.

Spendthrift or saver?

Spender - a step or two down from spendthrift - which I most definitely was (records and clothes).

Name one thing you would improve in your area in which you live?

I really like where I live, but the parking situation is crazy. Disc zones everywhere. I have a drive so I’m not really affected, but the wardens haunt the students on College Road and other areas.

And my 80-year-old neighbour got a ticket for non-display of a tax disc. Terrible stuff.

I’ll stop now, as I feel a rant coming on.

What makes you happy?

Content is what I seek these days. Creating art of any kind, a good book, an informative music show, live music, laughter.

It’s a long list, thankfully.

How would you like to be ed?

I never think about that. Life is for living, not thinking about death.

What else are you up to at the moment?

Loads, which I always am. I am self-employed and I run two teeny weeny businesses.

Right now, a chunk of my time is being spent organising pop-up shops for my Pure Cork Range.

I’m also preparing for my solo exhibition, a collection of pop art creations, ‘The Art Felt World’, in MY Place Midleton Gallery, Mill Road, Midleton, Co Cork, P25 YT50.

Opening on March 21 7-9pm (Everyone is welcome), come along for art, craic and lots of beautiful people.

The exhibition runs until April 2.

Let the creativity flow.