Patricia Kavanagh Irish artist, Galway

Irish artist Patricia Kavanagh, Galway

I am a traditional painter living in the west of Ireland. My work is inspired by the natural beauty of my surroundings, famed for the rugged scenic coastline and wild unspoiled landscape.

I grew up near Blackrock in Salthill on the shores of Galway Bay and began drawing and painting in early childhood when I truly believed I was born to be an artist.

My creative journey continued into adulthood and I painted regularly whilst raising my six children. My love of painting provided me with the necessary peace and time-out so vital in the life of a busy mother.

Encouraged by my husband and grown up family I realised my childhood ambition and graduated with a BA in Art & Design from GMIT specialising in drawing and painting. I work as a full time painter and art teacher in my studio at my home near Oranmore, Co Galway.

In my work, light and the effect of light on water and the landscape is important to me and my fascination with dramatic thundery skies, rough seas and strong contrasts is evident in many of my paintings. I pay a lot of attention to composition and colour in planning my work and make sketches outdoors whenever possible to try to capture the true colour and feel of a place.

My paintings are in private collections at home and abroad.