Marty Garland

I'm an Irish artist, born and bred in Belfast, and have made my home and studio in Dundalk from where I paint. I've always had an interest in art and have been influenced by Impressionism, in particular Renoir, also admiring Degas, Tolouse Lautrec, Paul Gauguin and many others. Having been self - employed for nearly 40 years creating graphics for the business world, I'm allowing myself more time these days to create my own personal pieces of art and enjoy the creative process of painting and drawing. Acrylics and watercolours are my main medium of choice, but I also like to explore other mediums, sometimes painting Plein Air if the weather suits, although I generally paint from my own photographic sources editing in Lightroom and Photoshop to create my compositions. ( I also have a strong interest in Photography, and particularly like creating digital montages) Vector Art also figures in my creative output using Affinity Designer / Photo to render these pieces.
Landscape, Still Life & Figurative work is my main area of interest, but really, anything which piques my interest is fair game for my brush!

I hope you enjoy viewing and perhaps buying my artwork.
Likes and Favourites are always welcome, as are shares to Facebook, Pint...

I left formal education at the relatively early age of 16, as for me, academia was a second best to creative pursuits by using my skills. I've continued to be creative throughout my working life, having initially trained as a draughtsman in the Sign industry, designing Neon and other signage, then eventually creating my own graphics business, from which I've now retired after 40 years, enabling me to pursue a more focused artistic path...long may it continue!

I've featured in various exhibitions and publications, over the years, both local & international, most recently, due to the Covid 19 crisis, participated in a virtual group exhibition hosted by An Táin Arts Centre, Dundalk; selected to exhibit at the prestigious Royal Ulster Academy in the Ulster Museum; Finalist in Artists and Illustrators "Artists of the Year 2018" exhibiting in the renowned Mall Galleries in London, England.
My work hangs in the Permanent Art Collection in DKIT in Dundalk. I was chosen to create Artwork in an urban project for Dundalk Town Council (creating imagery over an area 100 metres long) depicting the proud industrial history of Dundalk, Ireland and its people.
My involvement in a project called The Open Air Art Gallery (to bring art to a broader audience) saw my Artwork displayed on banners throughout Dundalk Town Centre.
My work can be found in Public and Private collections in Ireland and further afield.