How did you get into art / have you always been painting?

My father did a bit of painting (oil & watercolour), so there were always paintings on the wall and around the house. As an adult I did art classes with Yann Goulet in Dun Laoghaire. They were very creative; we were taught to paint with a palette knife and he took us outdoors to paint. That would have been my first experience of plein air painting.

But that stopped due to work pressures. When I did a pre-retirement course (quite young), I was advised to pick up a hobby. I started watercolour classes and found Olivia Hayes, a terrific teacher. I stayed for 2 – 3 years.

Then I began to wonder if I would keep going to classes for years, or start doing it by myself. Cinnie Moran, whom I had met during art classes, encouraged me to join her, painting outdoors. We did that for years. In the process I joined the Boyne Valley group (“plein Eire”), and then the Greystones Art Group. When I joined G.A.G., there were monthly talks and demos, but no plein air sessions. I soon got involved in getting plein air into the group and we now go out every Friday morning.

What medium/media do you use?

Watercolours.

What are your favourite subjects or themes?

Plein air, landscapes. Just outdoor painting, I love the challenge.

Where do you get your inspiration?

For me it’s all about plein-air, it’s an inspiration in itself; you get inspired by your surroundings. With experience you realise you can paint anywhere; you don’t always need a good view.

Watercolour takes a long time to master and you have to develop your technique to paint plein-air successfully. But it inspires me, rather than the other way round.

Every year I take part in plein-air festivals in Wexford (Art in the Open) and Dublin. Workshops are organised and very important artists from all around the world join in. It’s a terrific opportunity to meet with other artists.

When and why did you join the Greystones Art Group?

I joined about 20 years ago. I wanted to get involved with local people who painted. When I became president around 2014, I wanted the group to be more active. I’ve been president on and off until November 2023.

Do you take commissions?

Yes, I do.

You have produced a book, tell us about it.