Carnalea, Bangor, Co.Down

A small en plein air study painted near Stricklands Glen looking across the bay towards Carnalea Golf course.

Monsoon Fashion Store Belfast

I just enjoyed drawing this shop in a corner location in the centre of Belfast.

Belfast City Hall

A taxi driver was checking the oil and water in his black cab in the public hire taxi rank, just across from Belfast City Hall.

Donegal Square Belfast

I liked the shape of this building which is to the left of Belfast City Hall, and enjoyed using various shaped marks to try describe it.

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!