ABOUT ME
​An Artist and Freelance Stock photographer, specializing in Stock images for license to Advertising, commercial and media clients. I took up photography in the eighties, with the savings from my first real job, soon after I set up a darkroom in a garden shed at home in Knockanore County Waterford and developed my own style while teaching myself black and white printing skills.I spent a number of years living between Ireland and London England and in between different jobs, i freelanced for various companies doing commercial shoots and also working with actors from the Royal Shakespeare Company doing personal portraits. I returned to Ireland in 1997 where i took a year out to bike around Ireland taking photos of what ever scene i came across. I am now settled and married with three children in the beautiful scenic west of Ireland, in Ballybunion County Kerry. I Joined Jerry & Johanna Kennellys Stockbyte in 2002 where i learned all there is to know about Retouching and Photoshop and with these skills i set myself up as a Digital Artist in my own Studio at home.
My Art is an always evolving creative process, I am constantly intrigued by the endless possibilities of creating with Analog & digital technology fused with the real world materials of Canvas, paper, paint and other Raw materials. Using software like a paintbrush to alter light, tones, and colors while adding tangible materials for depth. My art is a harmonious blend of Fantasy, Surrealism, Pop art and Contemporary. I radiate an emotional connection with nature by capturing the viewer into its fantastic narrative. My Creations are a way to tell a story & evoke a feeling that i believe will be Fun encouraging & Spiritual, to make the familiar appear unfamiliar, to capture the beauty in the mundane. That when viewed by people, even if for a small moment, they will loose themselves within the image. I Love it when someone gets my Art, as i Feel that they have looked long enough to see a story within it and i have awakened the Inner child within them and that in doing so they have had an out of their mind Glorious feeling from the experience.
​As in “THE EYES DON'T HAVE IT ” a collection of portraits with Butterflies for Eyes via differing colors, in this Collection i am hiding the so called doorway to the Soul, but not hiding the identity and the Character of the Individuals personality. The saying "The Eyes always have it" is just not the case. As i feel its often the turn of a head or a glance or even the stance of someone, that can convey a more direct feeling to the viewer. So by hiding the eyes we have to look more deeper into the soul of the Portrait and see a more richer story in the image. Using many layers these photographs were destined for the digital Universe. This collection is inspired by the love of what butterflies represent, spiritual rebirth, transformation, change, hope, and life, but not being blinded because of them.. and serves to remind us all that life is short. With the Tears i also try to convey that they can be of Pain, Joy, Hate, Anger, Grief or Love, letting the emotions spill over to tell a story and capturing emotions and feelings that we all hold and to be able to feel them without fear.
Also in the Tears we show vulnerability and that is a powerful and Positive force in life.
A wake up call for my Art was during the Covid 19 pandemic. The Isolation lead to overwhelming loneliness for so many people so i used this time to unite people through my Art. Creating work that shows the Fears and loneliness of how the pandemic affected the Individual, this was the first time that many felt deep, sustained loneliness that impacted the physical and mental health of many people who had lost connection with society. ‘beginnings and endings’ So being an Artist gives me a reason and a way to show the hope that a new dawn brings after a dark period in anyone's life and to support and give back to society and to those who identify with my Art.
I am so Blessed to be an Artist and i really Love what i do and can do in this world, that i can be a storyteller and giver of Joy through the Art that i create.
I always have numerous projects put away in my head for the future and right now i am in the process of starting a new project with Portraits on connections with Nature. I am also working on having Exhibitions of my work in Galleries Nationally and Internationally & to make a start on a coffee table book. I beleive you have to continually follow your Heart as there are no boundaries in Creativity. Your work is your feelings and should be about a story you want to convey, in the way that only you can. To raise awareness of social issues good or bad.
Above all my Art does not have to be understood to be enjoyed.