About

Some people say . . . that he barks incessantly at the moon on windswept nights. Others say, that when he turns his head to the left, it makes a loud audible clicking sound. More say, that when you look into his eyes, they glow a bright fluorescent orange, reflecting back the whole cosmos. God, I hate writing artist statements, so I’ll keep it short. Born in Galway city in the west of Ireland in 1971, and somehow, despite his best efforts, he is still alive today. Self-taught as an artist, Mike paints mainly using oil paint and he usually paints on canvas. But this can also include his clothes, skin, sofa, carpets, soft furnishings or anything else that Mike happens to come in contact with. It’s no surprise the ancient Romans referred to Ireland, as the land of perpetual gloom. With most summers akin to nuclear winters, storm-force winds accompanied by rain of Biblical proportions. Attempting to paint the Irish landscape with anything other than a mixed palette of greys, would seem somewhat ludicrous. Perhaps due to a vitamin D deficiency or a lack of sunlight, Mike paints bright vivid seascapes and paints the topography filled with light . . . as he wishes to see it, and on the very odd occasion, sometimes does. Mikes work can be found in many far-flung corners . . . but its normally found towards the centre, and hanging above the fireplace. However, on a slightly more serious note, it does include collections of the O.P.W, Galway Hospice and Galway city Museum.