There were a series of Donleavy art shows in the late 1940s-early 1950s at 7, St. Steven's Green Gallery in Dublin, These two being March, 1950 and June, 1950. The shows featured oils, watercolors and sculptures. These exhibitions were given before JPD began writing The Ginger Man. It was clear from the start of Donleavy's creative output, be it with brush or typewriter, he was never afraid to rock
the status quo and was determined to follow his own path. As would later be infused in his writing, Donleavy's fine art melded the naked truths of the human condition with humor, a deep but tender sadness and no-holds-barred portraiture. More details on these early shows are provided in Donleavy's autobiographical books J.P. Donleavy's Ireland and The History of The Ginger Man.