Phase 1: Graffiti & Pushing Boundaries

Graffiti was my first step into the unknown—an urge to break free and expand beyond expectations. It was an addictive, almost obsessive pull, drawing me back again and again with the potential to go bigger each time. In testing the boundaries between legal and illegal, I sought to find my own truth, painting with respect while challenging what I’d been told. It was also my first introduction to a community of kindred spirits—a sense of belonging I hadn’t found in other environments. I was driven by the desire to be seen, yet felt the tension of standing out—a paradox that revealed the balance between expression and vulnerability.

As my practice developed, I began painting not just in Ireland but also abroad, taking my work to different countries and exploring street art on an international scale. This period was marked by creativity and a sense of adventure, weaving international exploration into my journey and expanding my understanding of the street art movement globally.

Phase 3: Street Art & Cultural Evolution

As street art began to develop alongside the expansion of the internet, I witnessed other artists breaking free from the traditional graffiti culture of painting letters to express themselves in new ways. This wave drew me in, as I saw the potential to use my creative talent beyond the confines of letters. It was a shift that paralleled my experience at art college, where graffiti was not accepted as an art form. This period became about exploring the potential of art and style, playing with color, and redefining my approach. I also exhibited graffiti and street art in galleries and the Galway City Museum, marking some of the first instances of this type of art in these spaces.

Phase 5: Installations & Exploring Human Modes

After my large-scale murals, I began to find clarity in what I wanted to express. Around the time of Ireland’s marriage referendum, I created a mural reflecting on our past, present, and future, which ignited the process of exploring black-and-white thinking—how it limits understanding, empathy, and compassion. I used black to symbolize fear and white to represent love and light, examining the modes in which we operate as humans. This concept evolved into my installation Love vs Fear at the Galway Arts Centre, where I collaborated with art technicians and curators.

The installation was an immersive experience, featuring sculptural elements, typographic paintings, and images. Some pieces drew on known concepts, while others emerged from my own contemplation and study. It was an opportunity to create a space for reflection, connection, and growth.

Phase 7: Solo Show - Feelings

With the support and encouragement of curator Margaret Nolan, I embarked on my first solo show, Feelings. At this point, I had moved beyond the black-and-white concepts that had previously defined my work. I felt the need to express emotions for which I didn’t have the words. Drawing on my graffiti practice, I turned to color as my language, using spray paint to capture the raw and undefined feelings that words couldn’t convey.

The show included notable pieces like Remembering, which marked a deep connection to my heart space, allowing me to feel a profound sense of alignment with myself through my practice. Another significant work, Hemorrhage of the Heart, was later acquired by Kai Restaurant. These paintings, and the vulnerability they carried, resonated with viewers, creating a powerful connection and making the exhibition a success in reaching and moving people.

Phase 10: Bringing Aliveness to Luxury Spaces - The Lennox Building

In 2018, I collaborated with Iconic Offices to create a collection for the Lennox Building, a five-star luxury co-working space. This beautifully designed space provided an opportunity to bring the aliveness and energy that comes through my work—rooted in the natural elements and landscapes of the West of Ireland, as well as a universal and cosmic essence—into a high-end environment.

The goal was to infuse the space with the vibrancy and essence of nature, connecting the luxury of the co-working environment with the energy and movement found in the landscapes and universal themes I explore. It was a fulfilling experience to see how this energy could transform and elevate a space, making it not just functional, but alive and inspiring.

Phase 13: Expanding Fine Art into Business Spaces - Unleash

I created Unleash, a 6-meter-long painting, for the Porter Shed, a co-working space for entrepreneurship and business in Galway City. This piece sits at the heart of the communal area, engaging with the daily energy of the space and the people who come and go.

The painting, titled Unleash, symbolizes the potential within each individual to expand their energy and create the life and reality they envision. It reflects the idea that creativity extends beyond the arts, into building solutions and pathways that shape our world. This project was an exciting opportunity to take my fine art to another level and contribute to a dynamic and innovative community environment.

Phase 18: Silk Road Artist Rendezvous in China

I was honored to be selected by the Ministry of Culture in China, through the Chinese Embassy, to participate in the Silk Road Artist Rendezvous in Liangzhou. As one of 83 artists chosen from 84 countries, I embarked on an inspiring journey to create art in response to the ancient civilization that once thrived in Liangzhou.

The experience allowed me to connect with creatives from around the world, engaging in a cultural exchange that celebrated the global community of artists. My work during this period was a balance of my figurative studies and energetic impressions of the land, reflecting the heritage and spirit of the culture. It was an opportunity to immerse myself in the landscape and history of China, creating art that honored the past while bridging connections across cultures.

Introduction: A Journey Through Creativity and Exploration

Step into a world where creativity unfolds as an exploration of what it means to be human. Through vibrant colours, immersive installations, and collaborations across cultures and landscapes, my work invites you to journey with me—pushing boundaries, seeking connection, and uncovering the essence of our shared experience.

From the early days of graffiti and international street art to large-scale installations and fine art exhibitions, each phase of my practice has been a blend of energy, physicality, and discovery. Whether creating in the landscapes of Ireland, Romania, or China, my work integrates art, energy, and community, expanding beyond traditional spaces to engage and inspire.

This journey is an invitation to experience the transformative power of creativity, using art as a vessel for connection, exploration, and self-discovery. Let the journey begin.

Phase 2: Community, Teaching, & Workshops

At the age of 16, I began teaching graffiti workshops, sharing the skills and knowledge I’d gained with other young people. This evolved into leading street art workshops and later process art workshops. These experiences highlighted the importance of community, as I facilitated creative sessions that inspired and taught others how to access their own skills. Holding space for these workshops allowed me to share the energy of creation and help others discover their potential through art.

Phase 4: Large-Scale Murals & Public Art

As I transitioned from graffiti into creating large-scale murals, I pushed boundaries by painting some of the biggest buildings in Galway. Despite the city’s reputation as the ‘City of the Arts,’ there was resistance and limited support for taking art to a larger scale. This period was about learning my own capacity and capabilities, gaining valuable skills through life experience, and moving beyond graffiti’s focus on visibility to explore what I wanted to say.

Collaborating with creatives from other industries, such as filmmakers, writers, and actors, helped bridge creative communities. These connections expanded my understanding of public art and its impact, allowing me to find my voice while exploring the potential of creativity in the public sphere.

Phase 8: Collaborations & Community Engagement

During this period, I began collaborating with other creatives and working closely within the community. Using color as a bridge, I aimed to connect people across all ages, races, and cultures, demonstrating how creativity can transcend limits. The commonality of creating together—through art, music, and play—became a central theme in my practice, highlighting the shared human experience.

I facilitated workshops for groups of up to 70 people, crafting immersive and experiential sessions that encouraged participants to explore their own vulnerability and embrace their creative power. This work deepened my understanding of my ability to hold space, supporting others as they connected with themselves and each other through the creative process.

Phase 6: Exploring Time at Galway University Hospital

Following Love vs Fear, I was invited by Saolta Arts to create an installation at Galway University Hospital’s main foyer. This opportunity allowed me to explore what was possible within a large-scale public space. Inspired by the hospital environment, I reflected on the concept of time—a theme that felt particularly resonant in such a setting, where time is often of the essence for patients, visitors, and staff alike.

The result was a series of 15 black-and-white paintings, all centered around our relationship with time. Alongside the installation, I created my first zine—a free publication inspired by graffiti zine culture. These photocopied booklets combined my writing with my artwork, drawing on past experiences and skills. Thousands of these zines were distributed for free throughout the hospital, the city, and even internationally, reaching people across different countries. It was an incredible experience to witness the impact of the project expand beyond what I had ever conceived, marking a powerful moment in my practice where my visual art and writing came together.

Phase 9: Solo Show - Floating

My solo show Floating, held at the O'Donoghue Theatre in collaboration with Baboró, the International Festival for Children, was one of the most meaningful experiences of my practice. The show featured 27 circular paintings on wood, created in nature, and explored the concept of daydreaming—where do we go when we drift away from the present moment? It’s a state where we either seek to escape or where our imagination offers us a freedom without limitation.

I curated the exhibition to engage all audiences, hanging the works at different levels to create a connected and immersive experience for people of all ages. The show saw a large public footfall, and through the vessel of the exhibition, I facilitated workshops where over 600 children engaged with the artwork. In these sessions, the children participated in meditative ‘floating workshops’ designed to help them experience presence and explore their feelings. It was a space for them to express how they see and feel the art, and the world, through their imaginations.

Phase 11: The Healing Collection

Following the Floating exhibition, I embarked on a deeply personal journey of healing, which became the foundation for my next collection. The Healing series comprises 11 large fine art paintings, each an exploration of the healing process. These works were created as a response to my own experiences, using art as a vessel to navigate and express the stages of this journey.

During this time, I also held space for others as they undertook their own healing journeys, supporting them in reconnecting with their aliveness and releasing what no longer served them. This work aligned with my energy practice, deepening my understanding of the interplay between art and healing. The paintings were shared through my online presence and released for sale during the lockdowns, allowing the collection to reach people even when physical exhibitions were not possible.

Phase 12: Community & Connection - Let Go + Flourish

In a similar timeframe, I collaborated with Coffeewerk + Press, a coffee and print shop, creating the paintings Let Go + Flourish. This project was all about fostering community and connection, with my artwork serving as the visual identity for their coffee offerings throughout the year.

This collaboration is one of several projects I've done with Coffeewerk, tying back to my roots of creating art for cafes and restaurants. I’ve always loved making art for spaces that bring people together through food, coffee, and shared experiences. It aligns with my values and the way I enjoy life—being part of places where people connect. Seeing my art integrated into such settings and contributing to a culture of daily rituals and conversations is something I deeply appreciate.

Phase 14: High-Rise Collaboration with Signify Health

A larger project following my work with CoffeeWork was a fine art collection for Signify Health at Bonham Quay, the first high-rise development in Galway designed for the tech community. In collaboration with their interior designers and architects, the goal was to create a space that not only supported the company’s work but also served as a community hub for events and engagement. Signify Health’s focus on providing medical care within communities aligned with my practice of creating art in nature, connecting with different environments and energies.

The project showcased the finest quality materials and craftsmanship from the West of Ireland, including Connemara marble and furniture design by Daniel Gill. It was an honor to be part of such a high-end initiative, where my fine art was in alignment with both the space and the values of the company. Having my work featured in one of the tallest buildings in Galway was a significant and fulfilling experience, demonstrating the power of art to enhance spaces designed for connection and care.

Phase 16: The HUMAN Symposium - Împreună

Following my initial experience in Romania, I returned in August for the HUMAN Symposium, spending a month engaging in creative projects and community events. This time, I created a large outdoor installation titled Impreuna, the Romanian word for "together." The installation connected deeply with the energy of the land, blending my energy work and art practices through the use of divination.

The piece featured large paintings on wooden panels, built into the ground to form a contemporary standing stone circle. It was an exploration of the ancient civilization that once thrived in this area, merging contemporary art with the land’s historical essence. Collaborating with artists from Spain, Turkey, Iran, Romania, and Ireland, I facilitated workshops for children and community members, sharing skills and holding space for creative expression. It was an inspiring and transformative experience, deepening my connection to the community and the land.

Phase 15: Mindfulness, Meditation, and Creativity Retreat in Romania

To begin 2023, I was invited to Cucuteni, Romania, to participate in a mindfulness, meditation, and creativity retreat at the home and studio of Ionala Sandrina. The retreat brought together artists from Ireland, Romania, and China, focusing on creative practice infused with mindfulness, meditation, and sound healing.

With a deep historical connection to the land, where ceramics date back to 5000 BC, I engaged in creating raku ceramics. Raku is a traditional Japanese pottery technique that involves rapidly firing and cooling the pieces, creating unpredictable textures and colors. The process, like my painting practice, is immediate and seeks to find balance within the chaos of the elements. This experience was not only an exploration of a new medium but also the start of a journey that fostered international friendships and connections.

Phase 17: Studying Life and Drawing the Breath

In 2023, I immersed myself in the practice of life drawing, participating in community classes with facilitator Catherine at GTI. At the same time, I was studying breathwork, building a daily ritual that combined the physical act of drawing with the mindful awareness of breath. This approach created a balance between observing life and feeling the body’s energy through the breath.

Expanding on skills I developed through my graffiti black books, I returned to the daily practice of sketching and mark-making, capturing the physicality of form. This time, the focus was not only on what I saw but also on what I felt, integrating the flow of breath with the act of drawing. This practice allowed me to refine my draftsmanship while deepening my connection to the physical and energetic elements present in my work.

Phase 19: Chaos to Light - Immersive Installation for Learning to Breathe Underwater

In 2024, I created one of my largest fine art exhibitions to date, titled Chaos to Light, which will be featured in the upcoming film Learning to Breathe Underwater. This immersive fine art installation and gallery show was an exciting and collaborative endeavor. It provided an incredible opportunity to work alongside talented creatives, blending our skills and visions to bring this project to life.

While the work remains unavailable until the movie’s release, the experience of creating an immersive environment as part of a film production was both beautiful and inspiring. It allowed me to explore new dimensions in my practice and collaborate within a multidisciplinary creative team.