Born in Ireland in 1966, I left home and went abroad at the age of 19 with two bags. One was a green rucksack for my clothes and the other was a blue back-pack full of oil paints, brushes, pastels, a couple of boards and some old rags. That bag travelled around with me for a very long time until it was so dirty I had to chuck it out. I didn’t spend a lot of time painting early on. I spent too much time being in awe of the work of other artists. I let life get in the way and after years of under-nurturing my confidence was floored. It took me a long time to understand the importance of not listening to other peoples' comments about what I should or should not do with my life and to believe in myself. I was almost forty five when I began to paint with real conviction.

Now, I believe that having lived in a multicultural environment for almost twenty five years has greatly influenced the way I see life through different lenses.

A lot of my work is shaped by how I observe nature and how I connect ideas through conversations. I love the feeling of being a spontaneous an instinctive visual storyteller. Colour is very much what guides each painting.

My process is about adding layers to create marks and forms that speak to me. Working intuitively without a predetermined outcome gives me the feeling of adventure. Words throw themselves at me and I have to include them even if I paint over them. They are part of the story.

I am a happy introvert, the solitary life suits me very well. I thrive on connecting with that inner space. I call it my freedom zone.

My paintings are like a conversation in my head, sometimes I don't understand the language. There is always a story, big or small, in each painting. Sometimes the story only reveals itself to me long after the painting is finished. I wonder about this.

Exhibitions in Ireland

Knockrose Cottage, Dublin - October 18th -20th 2024

The Limerick Museum ‘VISITARE’ - August 2024

Waterford Gallery of Art ‘PANACEA’ - July 2024

Dunmore East Watercolours - June 2024

Exhibited work whilst living in Belgium

Brussels - 2010 Exki - delicious food cafe

Brussels - 2012 Femmes d’Europe

Brussels - 2012 Lex Library -EU Council

Brussels - 2012 Aloft Hotel

Brussels - 2013 Greenwall Gallery

Brussels - 2013 Kraainem Culture Centre

Brussels - 2013 Artsenal