I make work inspired by the landscape of Northern Ireland, often created outdoors and directly from experience. Process, play, and intuition are central to my practice. Through colour and movement, my work explores connection, presence, and the quiet, restorative, healing joy of being in the landscape.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I am a Northern Ireland–based artist with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art from the University of Ulster. My work has been exhibited widely in the UK, Ireland, Europe, and North America, with solo shows in Northern Ireland and group exhibitions at venues including Mall Galleries, London, and Artists for Conservation, Vancouver.
In 2023, I was a main contestant on Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year and have undertaken a teaching residency in the Falkland Islands and drawing residency in the Cayman Islands. I have also completed a public art commission for the Ards Hospital. I am the recipient of several awards, including the Parker Harris Mentoring Award and the John Busby Drawing Bursary.
My work is held in significant public and private collections, including the Ulster Museum, the Northern Ireland Civil Service, and international private collections in the USA.
MY JOURNEY
BIOGRAPHY
1995 BA (Hons) Fine Art, University of Ulster, Belfast
2018 Level 3 City & Guilds Award in Education & Training, Loughborough College
2022 Journey of Hope Alumni, Immersive leadership Programme for Peace and Reconciliation, St Ethelburga’s, London
Awards/Residencies
2023 Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year, Main Contestant
2023 Public Art Commission, Ards Hospital, N.Ireland
2023 Shackleton Residency Award, Falkland Islands
2022 Winner of Parker Harris Mentoring Award & exhibition award
2021 Best Abstract/interpretative painting in show, Artists for Conservation, Vancouver
2021 Finalist in BBC Wildlife Artist of the Year, London
2018 John Busby Drawing Bursary Award, Society of Wildlife Artists, London
2015 Featured artist in N.Ireland television production
2013 Invited artist for Scuba Dive Art Expedition to Cayman Islands, Artists for Conservation
2011 Master Artists Seminar, Cortes Island, Vancouver Island
2011 Featured artist in BBC Wild Week Live Television production: Live broadcast art demonstration
2008 Selected to represent front cover of Artists for Conservation Exhibition international showbook
2008 Featured artist in RTE Nationwide Television production, Ireland
Group Shows
2022 Harley Open, Harley Gallery, Wellbeck, Nottinghamshire
2022 TALP Open, Patchings Art Centre, Nottingham
2021 Waterston House, Aberlady, Scotland (3 person show)
2021 Nottingham City Artists Studio Exhibition, St Marys, Nottingham
2021 Artists for Conservation, Vancouver. (Virtual Exhibit)
2021 Finalist, David Shepherd Artist of the Year
2020 Artists for Conservation, Vancouver (Virtual Exhibit)
2019 Society of Wildlife Artists, Mall Galleries, London
2018 Society of Wildlife Artists, Mall Galleries, London
2017 Artists for Conservation, Marine Exhibition Tour in Florida & China
2017 Artists and Illustrators Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London
2009 Society of Animal Artists, Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure, Kansas,
2009 Artists for Conservation, 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
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
Significant Private & Public Collections
2008 Private collector of internationally recognised wildlife collection, New York (5 paintings)
2000 Ulster Museum, Belfast (4 paintings)
1997 Northern Ireland Civil Service, Belfast
1995 Northern Ireland Civil Service, Belfast