These days I live and work in the countryside in County Down, which is great. But we all enjoy a change of scenery and every year I head off to the southwest of Ireland. When I was a child we went on month long family holidays in the caravan, before there were electricity and games rooms on campsites, and spent the days exploring the byways and islands of Cork and Kerry, sometimes with a borrowed donkey and cart. As we drove across the country we always used to look out for the first wisp of turf smoke and then we knew we were well on our way to the west, far away from the streets of Belfast where I grew up.
I still love this part of the country with its fabulous scenery, numerous ancient sites, winding roads and little farms. Traditionally made of local materials and covered with layers of white wash, the old farmhouses and cottages seem to fit into the landscape so well. The patterns of the landscape and the changing weather and seasons are a constant source of inspiration for me.
As I head further west and away from the motorways, I turn off the radio, leave the news bulletins and the chat shows behind, and find I can really concentrate on the landscape, looking for images in the scenery which will keep me working away happily at home in County Down, until next year when I will make my annual pilgrimage again
Solo exhibitions:
2008
- The Hungry Hill Gallery, Adrigole, Co. Cork
2009
- The Hungry Hill Gallery, Adrigole, Co. Cork
Group exhibitions:
2008
- The Hungry Hill Gallery, Adrigole, Co.Cork
2009
- The Hungry Hill Gallery, Adrigole, Co.Cork
