FROM THE STUDIO 2024/5







I finished writing and drawing the book,
IRISH MOSS OF A DEAD MAN'S SKULL in September. It is an exploration of alchemy, four Roberts, and the healing properties of abstract art.  It is currently on the printing press and will be available very soon from The Owl Circus.

writers... I applaud you. What a difficult and rewarding job you have. At times I wished words made different shapes!





2024, COMMISSION
I was most gratified to be commissioned by The Robert Boyle Foundation to represent and honour Robert Boyle. 

In lieu of a portrait- as there is no accurate representation of Boyle from the time he was alive - I made abstract paintings to celebrate that which lives on, his words, ideas and methods. 

In fruitful and supportive discussions with Jim Malone, (Professor (Emeritus) of Medical Physics and Dean of the School of Medicine at Trinity College/ St James’s Hospital) and others, it was decided that multiple paintings occupy specific spaces, quiet areas of the Medical Library and that they would have a contemplative leaning, an aid to study.

Four site specific paintings now hang at the John Sterne Library at Trinity Medical School, which is on the campus of St James's Hospital in Dublin.

The work also became part of the Trinity Art Collection, which will ensure its care and longevity.


Betwixt the Eye and a Clear Light (i - iv)

a picture comes to me in parts through his words

his doublet lined with some silken stuff reflecting colour onto the white cuffs of his linen shirt

his eyes and vitiated sight

the rooms in which he thought

unobstructed space

luminosity, awareness, illuminates

needing a Clear light to see what is betwixt
him
and me
and it...

EXPERIMENT XI.

And here I must not omit, Pyrophilus, to inform You, that we can shew You even in a Mineral Body something that may seem very near of Kin to the Changeable Quality of the Tincture of Lignum Nephriticum, for we have several flat pieces of Glass, of the thickness of ordinary Panes for Windows one of which being interposed betwixt the Eye and a clear Light, appears of a Golden Colour, not much unlike that of the moderate Tincture of our Wood, but being so look'd upon as that the Beams of light are not so much Trajected thorough it as Reflected from it to the Eye, that Yellow seems to degenerate into a pale Blew, somewhat like that of a Turquoise. And what which may also appear strange, is this, [pg 217]that if in a certain posture you hold one of these Plates Perpendicular to the Horizon, so that the Sun-beams shine upon half of it, the other half being Shaded, You may see that the part Shin'd upon will be of a much Diluter Yellow than the Shaded part which will appear much more Richly Colour'd;...
Experiments and Considerations Touching Colours, Robert Boyle, 1664.








Fingal Artist Bursary 2024


Light, 100x70cm, acrylic on board, 2024
I have very gratefully received funding from Fingal County Council for time and space to engage with my primary practice, abstract painting; and a mentor session to assist in developing a plan to integrate the results of research and painting and prepare for exhibition.

This funding is very important to me. I have been fortuante that Fingal and Mayo county councils have supported my work over the last few years. from research to fabrication and time to think.