From a young age, I remember I was always interested in drawing and painting and I was continuously inventing things sketching out my ideas and writing notes. I used to imagine myself being famous and making my mark in this world. Born at the foothills of the Dublin Mountains in 1960's Ireland, I was the middle one in the family with 6 brothers and 3 sisters. I hadn't got a lot in terms of materia
l things, but what I did have was the love of my family and that, along with my talent is priceless and I would never take it for granted. My first memory of drawing something significant was when I was at my grandmother’s funeral aged 8, when I noticed a really old tree in Mount Jerome Cemetery. The tree had hundreds of grooves and seemingly endless branches. This image stayed with me and I was able to sketch the tree from memory exactly how I remembered it. Later at secondary school aged 16, I was given the opportunity to paint a backdrop for a play at the local theatre. I had to paint a forest scene in just one evening, but I enjoyed this so much. I managed to get the scene completed and I was very pleased with the final result. I also received my first paid commission at 16 years of age from a “Mr. He was impressed with my work and sent me a photo of my painting framed and proudly hanging over his fireplace. After my graduation at 18, I went on to study at Kildare St. In my teens I largely used oil paints. I really enjoyed the way I could manipulate a creation with the cut of a blade or the stroke of a brush. I simply loved the vibrancy of the colours. When 3 children were born, I didn't have as much time to paint but I am back now and for the past 10 years, I am painting as often as I can. I travel all over Ireland with my husband and youngest son taking photos of the beautiful scenery. I really like to paint Irish landscapes and work with both, acrylics and oils. I displayed and sold my work regularly in the Nora Dunne Gallery until it closed down and I also exhibit at St Stephen’s Green 2 or 3 times a year along with a regular stint at various craft and Christmas fairs. Some of my paintings have also found their way to the UK, France and USA. I am now selling limited editions of my prints and this is really proving very popular. It is more affordable and allows more people to enjoy and appreciate my work around the world. It is wonderful and gratifying to be able to create and turn a blank canvas into something amazing. It is also great to be appreciated for my work and I thank God every day that he has given me this artistic ability.
