I was working on an archaeological dig not far from the Tipperary town of Nenagh when I painted this. I was returning to my rented house from home the Sunday I started this. I’d forgotten my blue paints. I was annoyed for a while, thinking I’d have to wait another week before I’d start. Then I had the idea of doing the painting without blue and, using the colours I had, came up with an unusual colour scheme. Every day after work, I’d spend a few hours at it in the evening. I was very pleased with the result.
Two Moonlit Bales
This is the only time I’ve done a painting based on another one of my paintings. Following on from the painting of the two bales I did at night. I decided to do something more detailed. I’m not sure if it’s a better painting than the one I did in the open air. Certainly the experience of painting this wasn’t worth remembering!
Two Bales in the Moonlight
On a Saturday night, 3rd March, 2007, I did a painting under a full moon outside in the field around my home. It was one of those exceptional painting experiences. The air was cold and damp so the paint didn’t dry quickly like acrylics normally do. So a streaky effect was the result. I spent over an hour at it. For my trouble I had a rotten cold the following week!
Bales in the Strand Field
This is a view just outside home of our field that borders Garryvoe Beach. Painted from life over several weekends from 14th January to 17th February, 2007. I was lucky with the weather; it was remarkablly settled at the time. I wanted to show the vastness of the field and give a sense of perspective with the bales.
Summer View of Garryvoe
This is the first of my views of Garryvoe the place where I live. The view is from one of our fields, the ‘High Field’. I had been wanting to do this view for a few years before getting around to doing it. At the time, it was a very ambitious goal. The sky appealed to me a lot, I like how over in the east and south opposite to where the sun sets, the sky goes purple to a deep blue near the horizon.
Painted from 28th June to 23rd September, 2006.
Ballycotton in June – Sold
Garryvoe Church and Graveyard
Mam’s Arthritic Left Hand
My mother suffers from Rheumatoid Arthritis, a painful, auto-immune disease. Over time, it has distorted her joints, making them bulge. I found it a compelling subject for painting. I spent about a week doing this in February 2006 when I was 23. This painting got a lot of favourable attention during my first exhibition in 2011.
Irish Medieval Ambush Scene
Painted from my mind’s eye. I wanted to do an historical scene, and I’ve an interest in Later Medieval Ireland. I spent some time at it. The result was a let down; even though the sky and landscape were good, the figures looked a bit simple and not fully realised. I’ve never attempted an historical painting since.









