I paint with oils on canvas, inspired by the mountains and seascapes that make up the Beara Peninsula here in West Cork.

Although I have painted since early childhood it wasn't until the Winter of 1991/92 that I began using oils. I was introduced to the medium by the reknowned artist Maurice Henderson whom I met whilst living in Allihies. I told him I was keen to try oils so he had me go to Cork and buy some paints and brushes, then set about showing me how to use them. While I exhibited for the first time a year later, at the Beara Arts Show, it was not until 2000 that I felt confident to show my work properly.

My work is from memory, as I usually make up what I do, everything coming from my observations from a lifetime of being here ever since I was a small boy going out in the big black boats to go fishing with the locals. I know what the mountains look like, the rivers, the houses, all stored in my mind as I work my canvases.

The wilder side of Ireland has always hit home, its what keeps me alive, the vibrant storms and rugged landscape. When I go out for walks I go where the traditional farm houses are, where walls are made of stone, the people have time to chat and the smell of burning turf fills the air.

Whilst I was taught at the beginning by an original oil painter, I feel my work is very different to what he does. He gave me some ideas on how to approach painting with oils, and then had me develop my own ideas from there.

I hope you like what I do