Haven Print

I'm an Irish artist and I work mainly in acrylic and water soluble pastel. Last year I produced a 22 painting solo exhibition based on “The Fairy Stories Of Oscar Wilde” a book my Grandmother gave me as a child. The exhibition was supported by Creative Ireland, Cavan Arts Office and Johnston Central Library for Culture Night Ireland and continued for Children's Book Festival Month in October 2019. For the month of November 2019 I created an interactive art buying experience where 31 people pre-ordered a painting without knowing what it would look like. Every day for November I painted a new 5x7” painting and then post it on Instagram. The first person who pre-ordered a painting who wanted it could then claim it for themselves in the comments section. The experience has gained me many new followers and collectors and has encouraged me to seek out newer, creative, fun ways to interact with art buyers. Prints of from this collection are available on in my Saatchi Art store. I am very interested in bringing stories, legends and folklore from the past to the forefront to be remembered by those who once knew them, introduced to new people and so they are passed on to future generations. That which can’t be seen haunts and intrigues me. I try to make some sense of it through painting and researching but it only digs a bigger hole into the abyss of esotericism for me. The idea of control is also present in my work; who is controlling us, spiritually, politically, emotionally, with my regular conclusion being that the only person stifling us is ourselves. For me art is created by the viewer, their connection with the piece. The person who looks at a piece of art connects the dots themselves even if those dots might signify more mystery that they need to ponder on. I like the mystery of art. When I create I feel like I have to just let the painting flow through me without questioning it too much. I have to follow where it takes me and that’s where I get most of the excitement, through the process. I start in a very abstract way and work the painting until it starts to unveil images to me. As well as brushes I like to use unconventional tools to create new effects. When I look at a blank canvas I know that many beings hide within. They are locked behind a door that only paint can open.