Fealtys Pub, High Street, Bangor, (aka Ormeau Arms)

This is a small painting that I did en plain air, on the spot in High Street, Bangor. I don't go to this pub very often, but it is a very popular local pub, especially for Guinness, singing, and watching rugby matches etc. I just enjoy the shape and colour of the building, and the architectural perspective as it occupies a corner site. I also like to paint locations that are significant to people for personal, sentimental or recreational reasons. I did get a few funny looks from passers by wondering 'what's he painting Fealty's for?'.

Minaun Cliffs, Achill Island at dawn

This is a detail of the first oil painting I had produced on Achill Island that I was happy with. It was painting at 5am on a cold July morning and I was the only person on the 3 miles of beach. This is an area of Ireland made popular by the irish painter Paul Henry. When he first arrived on Achill Island ( which is joined to the mainland by a bridge) he tore up his return train ticket and threw it in the sea, much to the disgust of his wife! He remained on the island for a number of years painting the people and the landscape.

Keel Strand,Achill Island, Ireland

Keel Strand painted one day later with the tide slightly further out and a more hazy type of sky.

Keel Strand, Achill Island, Ireland

This is my favourite painting of Achill Island. Painted on the beach en plain air complete with grains of sand and flies...

En Plein Air - Helens Bay Beach

This photo was taken in situ one morning whilst I was painting on the beach at Helens Bay near Bangor Co.Down.

Watercolour of Helens Bay Presbyterian Church

This church had a new extension built last year, which joined up the various halls with the main church building. I have always thought this was a beautiful church, and painted this watercolour to celebrate this new sympathic development to the building. I subsequently donated it to the church....and I am now pleased to say that the painting now hangs in the new extension!

Sketch of a Paul Rankin Cafe, Belfast

I used to always walk past this cafe in Belfast at lunchtime and especially enjoyed the 'Hot Specials'. I do enjoy drawing the frontages of shops and pubs etc. I am also a big fan of another local illustrator, Barbara Allen, whose paintings are an important archive and beautiful drawings in themselves.

Another sketch at the rear of Marks & Spencers, Belfast

This is the same street at the rear of Marks and Spencers, viewed from the other end. The building on the right was under rennovation and is covered with netting and scaffolding.

Quick sketch at rear of Marks and Spencers, Belfast

This is one of my favourite sketches. This street is busy with people and lorries etc. I enjoy drawing the walkway part that is used to take stock in to M&S etc. I enjoyed the various mark making in the sketch...

Started drawing blog at last !

Finally started drawing blog, more to follow! I am doing this as an incentive to make me work and let people see my work also. Hopefully you may enjoy some of the drawings.
The first few are some quick sketches I did in Belfast city centre a few years ago...this one is of the Queens Bridge over the River Lagan.