From Barrack Street to Sesame Street might just sum up the journey so far in the artistic life of Castleisland native, Mary Owens.
To those who knew or know her it comes as no surprise to learn that she has worked as an artist on the set of the world famous children’s (of all ages) favourite Sesame Street in New York – a series she recalls watching on a black and white television set at home in Barrack Street.
“It’s hard to believe I’m gone from Barrack Street with 25 years. It still feels like yesterday that I enjoyed my carefree life there.
I loved growing up there and that’s where so many important people influenced and encouraged me to follow my dreams. That is a very important part of a young child’s life. My story began between 12 Desmond Avenue and Barrack Street,” said Mary in response to my request for an update on her artistic career.
Hammer and Nails in Desmonds Avenue
“I knew from a very early age that I wanted to do something with my hands. My granda, Eugene (O’Sullivan) gave me a hammer, nails and pieces of wood and, at three-years-old, I was building little boats and houses in his back yard.
My imagination was already setting sail and my beloved nan, Ellen gave me crayons and paper and encouraged me to draw. I spent many, many hours drawing and it didn’t matter what it was as my nan loved everything I drew.
Loved Being Creative
My mom knew I loved being creative and bought me my first set of oil paints and camera and she proudly displayed my paintings good and bad all over our house. We didn’t watch much TV when i was a kid – with the exception of Sesame Street – which I remembered watching in black and white until we got our first color TV when I was seven-years-old.
I feel like a dinosaur as I write this and my daughter thinks I’m ancient when I tell her that story. I remember imagining what colors all the characters were in the show and seeing them in color was a magical experience for a little kid back then …
My early days were full of fun and adventure. First, in my house with my very creative family, with my brother Ed buying up every fashion magazine from Griffin’s. He was always drawing and designing outfits. His room walls were a shrine with photos of models and pop stars.
My sister Helen was always busy cutting and creating new hairstyles for all our dolls hair and often the dogs and cats got some styling too with some funky color added to their coats.
Little Apprentice
Sister, Jo was the athlete in the family. She always had a ball in her hand and practiced endlessly which paid off as our walls were covered with her medals and trophies and Denise, who, at a young age, was drawing and coloring. She was my little apprentice and she loved to copy anything I drew .
My dad spent hours outside in his lawnmower hospital where he patiently took them apart and fixed them. He was a quiet man but loved to whistle while he worked and stopped to chat history, football and about us with the many people who passed our house on the path by the river.
My mom played a big part in keeping the five of us focused and, even though it meant all us leaving home for America, I know it was hard for her to see us leave, but she knew all of us had dreams and ambitions ….
Growing up in Barrack Street
We had my many friends growing up in Barrack Street. We were a very creative bunch of kids. We had our own version of Sesame Street. We had shows, we built club houses and spent hours outside exploring. There were no Ipads, Iphones, Xboxes or electronic gadgets – and not once can I remember any of us being bored .At about the age of nine or 10 I remember my mom heard about art classes in the old tech and said I should do them. Off I went and I remember walking in shyly and I probably was the youngest one there.
Eleanor Scully spotted me and from that day on she became my teacher, mentor and friend. She introduced me to theatre painting when we did the school show, Smike .I’d like kids to know that even though I knew i wanted to do something in the art field when i was quite young, it didn’t happen overnight.
Never Give Up on Your Dreams
The important thing to know is never to give up on your dreams. You have to work hard but it’s rewarding.
I am living my dream now. I’m part of a creative bunch of artists that worked on movie sets such as: Spiderman; Sex and the City, Salt; Hope Springs; Enchanted and the TV series: Boardwalk; Nurse Jackie; Sesame Street and presently Shades of Blue.
My job is fun and never dull and everyday is different on set . In conclusion: I believe my upbringing in Castleisland has had a lot to do with where I am today. I feel very fortunate and thankful to have had a very encouraging family, friends, teachers and the many shop owners in the town that let me use there windows as my canvas to create their Christmas paintings.
Thankful to those who Support You
I hope that my story inspires kids to follow their dreams and always be thankful to the people that encourage and support you,” Mary concluded. See how many of you Seasme Street addicts can sing along to this in a tribute to a Barrack Street native who’s made it from the child in front of the TV set in Castleisland to working on and creating the magic on the ‘street’ set in New York.
All together now:
Sunny Day – Sweepin’ the clouds away,
On my way to where the air is sweet,
Can you tell me how to get,
How to get to Sesame Street.
Come and play Everything’s A-OK ,
Friendly neighbors there,
That’s where we meet,
Can you tell me how to get,
How to get to Sesame Street.
It’s a magic carpet ride,
Every door will open wide,
To Happy people like you,
Happy people like,
What a beautiful Sunny Day,
Sweepin’ the clouds away,
On my way to where the air is sweet.
Can you tell me how to get,
How to get to Sesame street…
How to get to Sesame Street – How to get to..
