Artistic Leitrim couple on living off grid

Nestled among the lakes and forests of Drumcoura, just outside Ballinamore, Vanessa Power and Charles Perpoil have built more than a home and a business — they have built a life rooted in creativity, craftsmanship and a deep appreciation for Leitrim.

The couple are the founders of Eirlume Studio, where contemporary stained glass and mosaic pieces are created by combining Vanessa’s artistic background with Charlie’s decades of traditional woodworking experience. Working from a purpose-built studio beside the timber-frame passive house they designed and built themselves, the pair draw daily inspiration from the landscape that surrounds them.

Although they now call Leitrim home, both arrived here by very different routes.

Vanessa grew up in Dublin and spent years developing a successful career as a lettering artist and mural painter through her business, Signs of Power. While she officially moved to Leitrim in 2021, her connection to the county goes back much further. After family members settled in Ballinamore more than 20 years ago, she became a regular visitor and developed a strong affection for the area long before making the move west herself.

“I was born and raised in Dublin but moved to Leitrim in 2021 when Charlie and I decided to make our home together here,” Vanessa explained. “Although I wasn’t born in the county, Leitrim already felt familiar to me as my family had moved to Ballinamore over 20 years ago, so I’d been visiting regularly for many years.”

For Charlie, the journey began in Angers in western France. A master carpenter by trade, he first came to Leitrim in 1998 for what was meant to be a year-long stay. That year made a lasting impression. “I quickly fell in love with Leitrim,” Charlie said.

After returning to France for a number of years, he came back to the area in 2005 and established his carpentry business. Nearly two decades later, Leitrim is firmly home.

The move from city life to rural Leitrim brought a major change of pace for Vanessa, but also opened up new creative possibilities.

“As a lettering artist and mural painter, much of my work is inspired by words and a sense of place,” she said. “It was a big change from inner city Dublin at first, but moving to Leitrim gave me the space and freedom to focus on my creative practice while enjoying a slower pace of life.

“The landscape, the lakes and the strong sense of community have all influenced my work in different ways.”

Through Eirlume Studio, Vanessa and Charlie now bring together stained glass, mosaic, design and traditional craftsmanship. Their work reflects both their individual skills and their shared surroundings.

For Charlie, Leitrim’s natural character fits perfectly with the kind of work he has always loved.

“As a carpenter, I’ve always enjoyed working with natural materials and making things by hand,” he said. “Leitrim’s forests, lakes and rural character suit that way of life perfectly.

“Living here has given me the opportunity to build a business while staying connected to nature. It’s also where Vanessa and I have combined our different skills to create Eirlume Studio, bringing together carpentry, stained glass and mosaic into one creative practice.”

Vanessa has worked professionally as a lettering artist and mural painter for more than a decade. While she studied Multimedia Systems in college, she was always drawn to creative, hands-on work. Through Signs of Power, she has painted murals and signs for clients across Ireland and internationally.

More recently, Eirlume Studio has allowed her to explore a new creative direction alongside Charlie.

“It’s a wonderful blend of design and craftsmanship,” she said.

Charlie’s own training is steeped in tradition. He trained in France through the Compagnons du Devoir, a centuries-old apprenticeship programme renowned for traditional craftsmanship. Over more than 30 years, he has worked with wood in many forms, from furniture and staircases to bespoke interiors.