Celtic Soul Painting

I grew up in Westport, Co Mayo in the west of Ireland. I spent my summers in nearby Old Head, Louisburg and on Inis Mor, the largest of the Aran Islands. The colours of the landscape, the maritime environment and the imagery of the Celtic mythology found in these locations have been a significant and ever present factor in my art. I currently live in Galway. I have been immersed in Irish Arts and crafts since I was a child. While studying at University College, Dublin, I spent my summers working in the family craft business on Inis Mor, Carraig Donn. Surrounded by the locally produced, handmade Aran knitwear and immersed in the thriving indigenous industry, my works hint at the tactile textures of wool and hand spun tweed. From an early age I painted anything to hand - including the very stones of Aran itself. Today I am lucky to count a number of west-of-ireland and international artists as mentors and inspirations. These include the late Owen Walsh, his son Canadian artist Ronan Walsh and Mayo's own Tony O'Malley. My recent work has tended towards the abstract, utilising mixed media to communicate shades of Celtic mythology, alongside more contemporary folklore and customs. I sell most of my work through Dolan's art auctions, charity auctions and private collection sales internationally. My most recent works are on display in Galleries and private collections. I personally presented one of my paintings to HRH Prince Albert of Monaco on the occasion of his state visit to Ireland, where we were able to discuss our shared Kelly background. For me, painting epitomises the process of inner development and offers a space to mature through colour. I am intrigued by the language of visual art and the capacity for a piece of work to communicate a memory, or an emotion, with the viewer. I'm now busy preparing for my upcoming exhibition at NUIG Gallery, Galway.