From a very young age I knew I wanted to draw for a living. My sister was doing her A level art while I was in primary school and I learnt a lot from her. At the first chance I narrowed my subjects to include anything creative.
A great love for reading and childrens illustration led me into an Illustration course in Maidstone at the University College of Creative Arts. Here I studied for three years and came away with my BA and a new direction. My great ambition has always been to have my own children's books published.
I have also had a long connection with animal welfare and a lot of the books I wrote had an underlying message of kindness and consideration to all living creatures. So when IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) suggested creating a book for their annual "Animal Action Week" I jumped at the chance.
This book was made as a E Book which can be viewed here on day four of the Animal Action Week.
Some of the images from the book can be seen below...
Book Cover for 'Zed and Zee Animal Crusaders.'
Having studied in Kent I decided to make the move back to Ireland to try and get my career underway. Portraiture is something I have always done. It seemed a natural progression to try and develop this side of my art more as I began to see that it made people really happy to have something special produced just for them. Unlike with book illustration, I get to see my customers smiles when they see what I've done for them.
And so 'Pitter Patter Portraits' was born. I moved to the North Coast where it is quiet in Winter and lively in the Summer months and here I work day and night at what I love. I feel very lucky to be able to earn a living doing something that makes me happy.
I feel that my work is a constant learning curve for me. In each portrait I try to improve myself and challenge myself always striving for a beautiful photo realistic image which captures the subject's character. I can only hope that I will be doing this for a long time to come...
A great love for reading and childrens illustration led me into an Illustration course in Maidstone at the University College of Creative Arts. Here I studied for three years and came away with my BA and a new direction. My great ambition has always been to have my own children's books published.
I have also had a long connection with animal welfare and a lot of the books I wrote had an underlying message of kindness and consideration to all living creatures. So when IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) suggested creating a book for their annual "Animal Action Week" I jumped at the chance.
This book was made as a E Book which can be viewed here on day four of the Animal Action Week.
Some of the images from the book can be seen below...
Book Cover for 'Zed and Zee Animal Crusaders.'
Having studied in Kent I decided to make the move back to Ireland to try and get my career underway. Portraiture is something I have always done. It seemed a natural progression to try and develop this side of my art more as I began to see that it made people really happy to have something special produced just for them. Unlike with book illustration, I get to see my customers smiles when they see what I've done for them.
And so 'Pitter Patter Portraits' was born. I moved to the North Coast where it is quiet in Winter and lively in the Summer months and here I work day and night at what I love. I feel very lucky to be able to earn a living doing something that makes me happy.
I feel that my work is a constant learning curve for me. In each portrait I try to improve myself and challenge myself always striving for a beautiful photo realistic image which captures the subject's character. I can only hope that I will be doing this for a long time to come...
