Tell me that you love me | 60×60 | Gardner Colby Gallery –  386 and 365 Broad Avenue South, Gallery Row, Naples, FL, 34102 TEL (239) 403-7787

Living on the east coast of the United States I look out on the Atlantic Ocean and I’m challenged as an artist to capture its vastness. The high seas and big storm fronts remind me of my native home, Ireland, the North West Outpost of Europe. Those memories combined with the ferociousness of the weather fronts brings a depth and passion to my work, yet the stillness and peace of the southern shores is a soothing calm and is both a joy and quest to capture as a plein air and studio painter.

Symbolically the ocean is a sign of power and strength, due to its immensity. Observing and painting the great power of the ocean and its weather fronts is much like having a front row seat at the theater. As a plein air painter there is an urgency and need to capture the essence of your vista – it’s sparked by emotion and energy. Then the atmosphere and weather of the outdoors adds to the paintings aliveness. All this –- the vigor of life is to be conveyed onto a canvas. It is a love, and a challenge.