Perhaps my work would be best described as expressive realism. It is important to me to have an element of reality in what I do, but not be enslaved by painting every detail of what I see. My emerging style is underpinned by over 25 years of observational drawing experience, fused with a playful approach using energetic marks, a unified palette and strong compositions.
Nature is a strong influence in my work. In fact it was paintings of wildlife that gained me recognition in America and this genre still has an important place within my practice.
In 2008 I became a signature member of Artists for Conservation in Vancouver and have exhibited widely with them and other organisations across the United States and UK. In my first American exhibition, my painting, ‘On the Edge’ (below) was selected from 500 artists to be featured on the front cover of their annual show book. The painting was then purchased by a well known collector and became part of a large collection featuring some of the world’s top wildlife artists.
My portfolio of paintings also include still life, figure drawing and landscape. However I want my future paintings to be rooted in story telling. Through them, I want to ask questions of identity, journey, connection, and hope. You can read more about this journey in my blog post.
Originally from N.Ireland, I now reside in the East Midlands, England. I am a full-time painter with tutoring and arts facilitator experience.
Group Shows
2020 Artists for Conservation, Vancouver (Virtual Exhibit) https://gallery.artistsforconservation.org/virtual-exhibit/12053/home
2019 Society of Wildlife Artists, Mall Galleries, London
2018 Society of Wildlife Artists, Mall Galleries, London
2017 Artists for Conservation, Marine Exhibition Tour, Florida & China
2017 Artists and Illustrators Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London
2009 Society of Animal Artists, Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure, Kansas, Dunnegan Gallery of Art, MO, Ward Museum of Wildfowl, MD
2008 Birds in Art, Leigh Yawkey Musuem, Wisconsin
2008 Society of Animal Artists, The Neville Museum, Green Bay, Wisconsin
2008 Artists for Conservation, The Art of Conservation, Hiram Blauvelt Museum, New Jersey, USA
2007 The Wildlife Experience, Parker, Denver, CO
2002 Four portraits, Ulster Museum Collection
Solo Exhibitions
2012 Solo exhibition, WWT Art gallery, N.Ireland
2010 Solo exhibition, WWT Art Gallery, N.Ireland
2000 N.Ireland Television personalities, sporting legends, business leaders and politicians
Awards/Special achievements
2018 John Busby Bursary Award, Society Wildlife Artists
2015 Featured artist in N.Ireland television production
2013 Invited artist,Artists for Conservation Scuba Dive Pilot Expedition, Cayman Islands
2011 Featured artist in BBC Wild Week Live Television production: Live broadcast art demonstration
2011 Master Artists Seminar with Robert Bateman, Cortes Island, Vancouver Island
2008 Image selected to be the design of the cover of Artists for Conservation Exhibition show book
2008 Featured artist in RTE Nationwide Television production, Ireland