These introspective paintings emerge from a need to hold onto what feels essential: presence, connection, and the quiet intensity that comes with the fragility of life. The series began while a close family member was in hospital isolation due to cancer. During that time, I found myself reflecting on what I would miss most if I were in their place—genuine connection, shifting light, and the grounding presence of the land. There’s something in the wildness of the Irish landscape, specifically in Connemara, that resonates deeply with me. It’s unpredictable and raw, yet softened by weather and time. The tension between its wildness and softness mirrors the emotional contrast I often return to. Using a combination of watercolour and oil paint, I aim to capture the ethereal intimacy of relationships and the fleeting changes in light that shape the land’s mood. I focus on atmosphere, texture, and tone to express a quiet longing—for the land, its light, and for the emotional spaces I’d miss if they were taken from my reach. These paintings gave me stillness and clarity. Some of which spent periods of time in the hospital room, acting as quiet reminders that there is light, still, even in difficult periods. This series brings together people, land, and light—not to tell a story, but to hold onto a moment before it slips away.
