Embracing Evolution: 20 Years as an Artist

I’ve noticed a lot of people on-line reflecting on the last year and planning for the year ahead. I suppose it’s just that time of year? I never seem to get around to this but what I have just realised is, I have been a professional artist for 20 years now. I’ve been painting for as long as I can remember but when I finished college the first ‘job’ I had was painting murals in restaurants in Dublin.

True to form the journey since then has not been a straight line. It’s definitely been a winding path full of unexpected twists but every step has added something to the work I create.

The Beginning of the Journey

Some of my first memories of making art are from school, painting mermaids for the old Credit Union art competitions and researching basketball players to paint in the Community Games competitions (I represented Wexford twice at national level).

At the time I had no idea where those experiences would eventually lead me as being an Artist wasn’t considered a “proper job”. But none the less I spent countless hours experimenting with different mediums, from oils to acrylics and charcoal sketches to mixed-media compositions. Those early days were about finding my voice and understanding that not every piece of art needed to be perfect. I learned the concept of the ‘happy accident’ and how to embrace it.

The Evolution of Technique

In the years since, I’ve learned that art is a conversation with the materials, the space around me, and, most importantly, with myself and my inner critic. Each stage of my career has been an evolution—both in terms of technique, the stories I want to tell and my own confidence in my abilities. It took a long time to call myself an Artist and feel proud to do so.

I am mostly self-taught but I have also studied with some great tutors, the amazing John Foley introduced 10 year old me to oil paints and for my time with him I will forever be thankful. I’ve also studied with Paddy Darrigan and later with Diane Copperwhite and Kenneth Donfield in the CEAD (Continuing Education in Art & Design) programs at NCAD (National College of Art and Design).

Reflection: Looking Back, Moving Forward

As I look back over the last 20 years, I’m proud of how far I’ve come. But I know every new day presents an opportunity for growth, for deeper exploration, and for maybe starting to refine my IT skills. After years of putting it on the long finger my website is finally up and running and social media is my new work-in-progress.

Being an artist is about much more than creating something beautiful. It’s about embracing the process—the highs and lows, the joy and the frustration. The evolution of my style has mirrored my personal growth but one thing has remained constant: my belief that art should stir emotion. I don’t create work just to decorate a wall; I create work that brings you to a place, a happy memory, capturing a moment in time and I hope to continue doing that for a long time to come.

Thank you for being a part of my artistic journey.

Connect with Me

If you’d like to see more of my work or learn about upcoming exhibitions, please sign up to my newsletter, explore my website or visit my contact page to get in touch. I’d love to hear your thoughts and connect with fellow creatives, collectors, and art lovers alike.