By Erich Falconer, Funeral Director at Falconers Undertakers
Serving Waterford families with care, comfort, and a quiet space for reflection.
At Falconers, we believe art can hold what words sometimes cannot. It can offer stillness when the day feels heavy, and give shape to feelings that are hard to name. This is why our Community Art Exhibition exists, and why we are proud to share the work of Karen Kenneally, a part-time artist from Waterford city whose drawings now hang in our Tramore parlour.
Meet the artist
Karen began drawing in 2023 as a way to slow down and breathe. What started as relaxation and therapy has grown into a clear, confident voice on paper. She works mainly in charcoal and pencil, creating scenes that feel honest and grounded, inviting you to pause. Commissions are available, and you can find her work on Facebook and Instagram at @KarenKenneallyArt
The pieces on our wall
Turning — Charcoal and pencil (child in the red hoodie)
A lone figure stands above the sea with the Waterford coastline in the distance. The world is sketched in quiet greys, then a subtle lift of colour draws your eye back to the person in the scene. It is simple and powerful, a reminder that even in a wide landscape it is the human story that pulls focus.
Metal Man — Charcoal and pencil, set on our own Tramore coast
Karen calls Turning a meditation on the tide, the way it lifts love, loss and hope together. Her pencil work is gentle and exact, the water moving with a soft, believable hush. It feels like the Tramore shoreline so many of us have walked with the people we love, steady and familiar beneath the gaze of the Metal Man, a landmark that has guided ships for generations. We hope this piece will gently guide the families who visit our parlour and, when it finds its next home, carry that comfort forward.
A moment we will remember
At a recent funeral, a lady stood for a long time in front of Karen’s drawing of the boy in the red hoodie. She told us it felt like looking at her grandson, small against the water, brave in his own way. The red made her think of all the times love has to be visible, even when everything else is grey. Before she left she touched the frame and whispered, “You keep standing, the sea keeps moving, and somehow you keep going too.” We will not forget that.
Why this work belongs here
Karen’s drawings carry a quiet strength. The materials are humble, charcoal and pencil, yet the effect is full of presence. They speak to our themes of life, love, loss and remembrance, not with noise, but with patience. Keeping the world in grey and letting one small area of colour breathe is a beautiful way to honour memory, many families describe their early days after a loss just like this, most things are muted, then a moment of colour appears, and you feel the person you love is near.
A few words from Erich
“Karen’s pieces have brought a calm we can feel. The greys slow you down, and the red hoodie makes you remember your own people and places. They’ve become gentle conversation starters for families and for our team as well. We’re grateful to have them here, and grateful to Karen for trusting us with her work.” — Erich Falconer
About Karen Kenneally
Karen Kenneally is a part-time artist from Waterford city working in charcoal and pencil. She began drawing in 2023 as a form of relaxation and therapy and now creates thoughtful scenes of coast and memory. Commissions are available, and you can find her on Facebook and Instagram at @KarenKenneallyArt.
Visit, reflect, connect
You’re welcome to view Karen’s pieces during visiting hours or by appointment. If you would like details before calling in, message us and we’ll make time for you to see the work in a quiet moment.
Supporting artists, supporting families
Our Community Art Exhibition is a free, open invitation to local creatives. We offer free space for artists to display and sell their work, because we believe art can comfort families and strengthen our community. If your work speaks to life, love, loss, or remembrance, we would be honoured to see it. Contact Erich through our website or send us a message on social media.
At Falconers, families will always come first. Through care, creativity, and the quiet kindness of art, we will continue to make space for what matters most.
Discover our other artists here.
