The Story of the Irish Landscape Artist

'’It’s the west of Ireland landscapes in particular that I’m drawn to. To me, they are what Ireland is all about, and there is an energy and a sense of timelessness in them that I try to get across in my paintings. ’’

Inspiration from the West of Ireland

I'm Padraig McCaul, a devoted landscape artist originally from Dublin but now firmly rooted in Mullingar. While I currently reside in Mullingar with my wife Anne and three children, my connection to Achill Island, Co Mayo, where I spent many formative years honing my artistic vision, remains strong. 

We e moved from Achill Island to Mullingar in 2021, yet my bond with Achill's landscapes continues to inspire me. Although my primary studio is now in Mullingar, my creative heart remains closely intertwined with the West Coast. This dual studio arrangement mirrors my artistic journey, one that embraces the essence of both Achill and Mullingar.

A Journey from Dublin to Achill Island

I've hosted numerous successful exhibitions in Ireland, collaborating with esteemed venues like the Doorway Gallery in Dublin and the Kidogo Arthouse in Fremantle, Australia. I'm also a regular exhibitor at the Affordable Art Fair in London. My artwork gained nationwide recognition when it featured prominently in Eircode's national marketing campaign and website. 

You can find my limited edition prints and fine art cards in over 35 select outlets along the captivating Wild Atlantic Way, including Kennys in Lahinch and Strand House in Dingle. My landscape and figurative paintings are showcased in some of Ireland's finest galleries and are also available for global shipping from my studio.

Fáinne Óir - From Achill Island to Broadway, New York

In 2019, I completed a collection of 20 paintings for stage backdrops for the contemporary dance drama - Fáinne Óir - written by Mayo composer Kathy Fahy, and choreographed by Ciara Sexton, former lead dancer with Riverdance and Lord of the Dance. The show premiered in the Theatre Royal, Castlebar, on September 20th, 2019, and travelled to New York on September 26th, 2019, for its American premiere in Symphony Space, Broadway.

Captivating Landscapes of the Irish West Coast

My paintings are inspired by the untamed landscapes and coastline of Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way. Achill Island, which is located off Ireland’s western seaboard, has had a profound influence on my paintings, which are inspired by the natural beauty and colour of the surrounding landscape. Describing my symbiotic relationship with my adopted home place, I say, ‘’It has everything that a landscape artist would want; there is the sea, the mountains, the rolling bog, and the sky and the light that changes every hour of the day. There is no reason to go beyond it; there is so much here to inspire painting’’.

Conveying Feeling Through Colours

In my paintings, I use primary colours, blues, reds, and crimsons, in broad strokes, to depict houses, roads, farm buildings, and country lanes in simple, uncluttered compositions. My paintings seek to elicit emotion that allows room for the viewer to get lost in the subject. They are not just there, I say, to simply describe the landscape but to stir an emotional response to the feeling of the landscape, to convey the movement, energy, and light around it.

Figurative Work and Family Themes

Beyond depicting the breathtaking wild Irish landscapes, my work has evolved to include more figurative work, primarily based on my family members using very simple spherical but equally colourful figures to denote their characters. The figures have opened up new possibilities to explore colour and emotion, emphasising the warmth of close relationships between family and friends.

Solo Exhibitions of the Landscape Artist in Ireland & Beyond

•       The Ties That Bind, The Doorway Gallery, Dublin - 2023
•        Night & Day, The Doorway Gallery, Dublin - 2021
•       Fáinne Oir, American Premiere - Symphony Space, New York, USA - 2019
•       Stories of Home, Kidogo Arthouse, Fremantle, Australia - 2017
•       When All Roads Lead Home – The Doorway Gallery, Dublin - 2016
•       Along the Atlantic Way – The Doorway Gallery, Dublin - 2015
•       Island Life – The Western Light Art Gallery, Keel, Achill - 2014
•       Family Album – Dun Laoghaire Art Gallery, Dublin 2014
•       Homeland – The Doorway Gallery, Dublin 2013
•       Still Lives – Dalkey Heritage Centre, Dublin 2012
•       Still Lives – Old Market House Arts Centre, Dungarvan 2012
•       Sentinels – The Doorway Gallery, Dublin 2011
•       COAST – Dalkey Heritage Centre, Dublin, 2010
•       The Light Of Which I Speak, The Bad Art Gallery, Dublin 2009
•       Living Colours, Cork and Kerry, The Hungry Hill Gallery, Adrigole, Co.Cork 2007
•       From Clare to Here. Lahinch Art Gallery, Lahinch, Co.Clare 2007
•       The West of Ireland - Land, Sea and Sky,  The Hungry Hill Gallery, Adrigole, Cork 2006
•       The Blue Loft Gallery, Dublin 2007 (2-person show with Axel Rothoux)

Selected Group Shows

•       London Affordable Art Fair, Battersea, UK 2012 - 2022
•       London Affordable Art Fair, Hampstead, UK 2011/12/13/14
•       Wexford FRINGE, Whites Hotel 2009 - 2015
•       Art Source, RDS, Dublin, 2009 – 2023

Gallery Representation

•       The Doorway Gallery, Dublin
•       Western Light Gallery, Keel, Achill, Co.Mayo
•       Kilbaha Craft Gallery, Loop Head, Co.Clare
•       Whitethorn Gallery, Clifden, Co.Galway
•       Kenny’s Art Gallery, Lahinch, Co.Clare
•       Ardmore Pottery, house Ardmore, Co.Waterford
•       Hungry Hill Gallery, Adrigole, Co.Cork 

Collections

•       The Hottinger Art Collection, London
•       President's Office, Notre Dame University, USA
•       Oliveto Restaurant, Dun Laoghaire
•       Tannery Restaurant, Dungarvan
•       Embassy of Cyprus, Washington, USA
•       Embassy of France, Dublin, Ireland
•       Artist residencies
•       Heinrich Boll Cottage, Achill – 2007 
•       Cill Riallig artist residency, Kerry - 2021                                     

Selected media

•       Westmeath Examiner - Feature interview - 2021
•       RTE Nationwide - Feature interview 2021
•       The Mayo News - Feature Interview 2020
•       The Connaught Telegraph - Feature article - 2017
•       The Western Australian, Perth - Preview, 2017
•       The Galway Advertiser – Feature interview, 2016
•       The Mayo News – Feature interview by Ciara Moynihan, 2014
•       Sunday Independent – Lucinda O’Sullivan review, 2014
•       Ohio Irish American News, 2011 – Front cover profile/Interview by Susan Magan
•       RTE Nationwide, 2010 –  Interview and Profile
•       The Dubliner Magazine, 2011 – Review of solo exhibition “Sentinels”
•       RTE Radio 1, The Arts Show – interview with Vincent Woods, 2009
•       The Irish Times – interview with Joyce Hickey, March 2009 

Education

•       Professional Development for Visual Artists, College of Art and Design, Dun Laoghaire 2006
•       Higher Diploma in Technology Management, 2002 – Smurfit Business School, UCD
•       Higher Diploma in Systems Analysis, 1996 - Senior College, Blackrock, Co Dublin
•       ACCA Certified Diploma in Accounting and Finance, 1992
•       Bachelor of Arts, NUI, Maynooth, Co.Kildare. 1981 – 1985