Artist Statement

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My work has long been grounded in the representational. I have always drawn inspiration from the Conamara and West of Ireland’s landscapes, skyscapes, and seascapes. Until recently, my paintings followed a clear path, often guided by sketches and photographs that captured moments from these surroundings.

 

However, after years living by the sea, I moved inland toward Lough Corrib and Conamara, a very different environment. This shift has inspired me to explore my longstanding interest in abstract art. During the Covid lockdown, I delved into the study of abstraction, embarking on a new, inspiring journey. This path has opened doors to a variety of media and is developing into a personal, evolving style.

 

Today, my process begins without a set plan or expectation of the final outcome—a refreshing and exhilarating challenge. I work intuitively, layering paint, adding collage, glazing, and building textures. As I scrape and sand and work through these layers, I’m discovering hidden dimensions within each piece. My tools are as varied as my approach: I work with acrylics, oils, charcoal, collage, crayon, and pencil, often in short, intense bursts of creativity. Although I start loosely, I gradually shape the work, attending to value, design, colour, and texture. I find joy in the way each painting unfolds, guiding me as much as I guide it.

 

As each painting nears completion, it reflects a part of me I hadn’t known. Abstract work has a way of revealing hidden facets of memory and experience. But what I find most fascinating is the connection it creates with others: viewers often bring their own memories or interpretations to the pieces. In this way, the painting becomes a living work, standing on its own merit, inviting personal discovery for everyone who engages with it. This dynamic interaction between my work and the viewer continues to surprise and inspire me.

 

This journey continues….