About

I am an Irish born artist, and mother of two. Much travelled during childhood and adulthood, I have lived in the Middle East, the UK, Swaziland, Australia and Belgium. A Fine Art Graduate, having studied in Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, I have contributed to many group shows in Ireland and South Africa, and had solo exhibitions in Ireland and Belgium.

What inspires me to create? When creativity is part of your make-up it’s as much a part of you as your right or left foot. I have always tapped into it in some form or another: card making, arts and crafts,  experimenting with new materials and techniques, building a home or rainy-day arts and crafts with my children. I am inspired every day by nature and its colour – a limitless resource!

Drawing was always my first love and portraiture gives me enormous satisfaction. I have many commission requests that I am both grateful for and humbled by the reaction I receive. Working from photographs has allowed me to complete International commissions ranging from Australia, USA, Europe, and South Africa. I have also completed painting commissions for hotels and individual collectors in Ireland and abroad.

Having travelled a great deal I treasure not just the memories, but the multi-cultural experiences and exposure.  I drew on my travel experience in my final year project in college, using influences from both Australia and Africa – in an abstract way in my painting and photography, and in writing my thesis on Aboriginal Art.

After taking a break from painting and starting a family, getting back into it was challenging to say the least! In preparing for my first solo exhibition in Brussels, Belgium I went back to basics, painting large canvases of boldly coloured flowers in oil, after many preliminary smaller studies in acrylic and water-colour.

College projects were all about experimentation and I still love working in mixed-media, texture always adds extra-depth and point of interest in a painting. Inspiration comes unexpectedly and frequently so I create in any means I can these days. It’s an extension of my personality so something I both need and love to do. When “making” is not possible, I’ll scribble ideas – the children’s stories I’ve illustrated developed this way…