I have sketched and painted most of my life, though the middle part was busy with all of the usual things. Now I have more time. Until about ten years ago I worked mostly in oils. Then I ‘discovered’ watercolour. Once I figured it out – I started to paint on a very regular basis, and have steadily improved my technique and built up a body of work.
I started showing my work in 2019, when I exhibited in Carrick-on-Suir, Durrow, Portumna and Thomastown (TCAF 2019). Since then I have created a nice studio/gallery space for myself, where I can create my paintings, and I have been showing my work wherever, and whenever I can. I’m kinda serious about it.
Painting for me is many things. It is a pastime in so far as it saves me from idleness. It is therapeutic in that it takes my mind off other things. It gives me a sense of purpose and identity. It gets me out and about – I meet lots of nice people! Above all, I really enjoy the painting process, as it moves from the original idea and composition, through the phases when it doesn’t look so great, to the latter stages when bold washes, individual strokes and touches, or an adventurous splash brings the whole thing to life.
My painting style is representational, that is I like the image to be identifiable. I also bring in a good deal of detail, though I do chase after the illusive looseness, that I myself admire, in the work of so many other watercolour painters. I am drawn to scenes with water in them, the coast, rivers and lakes.
I do a lot of work in standard sizes – A4 and A3, but recently I have been doing some larger pieces (like for over the mantlepiece). Also I have been doing some more abstract wave studies. There is so much I want to experiment with – different styles, different media – I am really excited about developing my skills and my portfolio. The future is bright …… follow me on social media, and check this website from time to time to see new work and new developments.
Thank you. Micheal.
Some recent Exhibitions ; (apart from pop-up exhibitions)
2019 August Irish Coastal Landscapes Scouts Den, Thomastown TCAF19 (Arts Week)
2021 August Water in Watercolour Concert Hall, Thomastown TCAF21 (Arts Week)
2021 September Water in Watercolour Rothe House, Kilkenny Solo Exhibition
2022 August Watersides Concert Hall, Thomastown TCAF22 (Arts Week)
2022 October Watersides Cafe Gallery, Coastguard Cultural Centre, Tramore.
2023 June. Watervision 23 Concert Hall, Thomastown TCAF23 (Arts Week)
2023 October. Watervision 23 The Gallery, Portumna Castle, Solo Exhibition
2024 May. Low Tide, Green Grass The Gallery, Coastguard Cultural Centre, Tramore
June 2024 Bank Holiday – Clancy Brothers Festival Carrick on Suir
August 2024 Low tide and no tide Portumna Castle
August 2024 Low Tide / High Time Kilkenny Arts Week – Concert Hall Thomastown – the main event of the year.
2025
Feb / March – Exhibition at the Watergate, Kilkenny
Contact : booleyart@gmail.com
