Oil painting is the primary medium of my artistic practice. During the painting process, the application of paint becomes a meditative exercise, where the materiality of the oil paint and its behaviour is as important as the image itself. I use a layering technique with a palette knife, sometimes incorporating cold wax and I often scrape back layers to reveal intimate studies of texture, light, and colour. The works are deeply influenced by my personal mood and the atmosphere around me, which is reflected in my choice of palette and textures. Capturing the unique light that is characteristic of our Irish climate is also vital to my work.
To date, I have explored themes of containment, secrecy, memory, and isolation. My representations of spaces, particularly secluded areas with minimal human interference, prompt questions about our impact and our necessity for intervention in the landscape. Within my practice, I utilise a variety of media, including drawing, painting, sculpture, and photography. These choices are intended to articulate subjects such as loss of control, memory, fragility, and transience. My paintings are informed by personal experiences, my immediate environment, and a passion for interpreting an ever-changing landscape and self-scape.
Both of my series on landscapes and farm buildings delve into the concepts of isolation, peace, and a changing—perhaps disappearing—landscape. My work is included in private collections both in Ireland and internationally. I hold a First-Class Honours BA in Visual Arts from DIT (Sherkin Island) and a Masters in Art and Process from CIT (Crawford College of Art and Design).
