Growing up in the South of Ireland I was always drawing, because I was good at it and I enjoyed it.
I loved going into my own world. I would copy comics, destroy homework journals, and draw giant pictures of naked women on the blackboard when the teacher left the class room. I loved the reaction I got from people looking at my art. Good and bad.
But it wasn’t until the age of 16 that I picked up a paint set, when a friend passed away in a car crash, Brian Tester, he was a neighbour up the road who took me fishing a few times, his wife gave me lots of his things, including pyjamas, jeans, jackets and a big box of brushes, paint, and art books along with a Frank Clark demonstration video.
I laid everything that wasn’t art to rest (the pjs), in a bin, and then my obsession began.
I never pursued painting conventionally, as I wanted to explore more adrenaline fuelled experiences. Leaving home at 17 I went to become a watersports instructor, and taught windsurfing and white water kayaking around the South of France and Ireland. Then I became a dad, (got my fair share of adrenaline experiences with that too). I then studied theatrical drama and became a professional actor working in theatre, tv and film right up into my late 30’s and still get in front of the camera if the role is good enough!
I always had art accompanying me along the way, untainted by the pressures of any art college or the need to make a living from it. This has always kept it special. And I nurtured it organically as a passion, a secret gift, and as something I could turn to if things were tough and life was challenging. Art relaxes me and gets me in the now. Feeds the soul man.
As I get older I find myself digging a little deeper with my art. And I get lots of enjoyment sharing it with people along the way.
I’ve integrated a lot of my filming and acting into my teaching and creating social media videos that not only entertain and teach but inspire. Things really picked up for me when I one two awards at Europes biggest plein air festival, in 2023. Since then I have been in undated with requests to teach at home and abroad and I’m enjoying the journey immensely.
Stay hydrated, Seb.
Awards and Invitations:
Artists & Illustrators Magazine, Jan 2025 - Step by Step
Solo Exhibition 2024 Bandon - Grey Heron Gallery
Art in the Open, Wexford, July 2024 - Guest Artist and Instructor
Art Form & Mount Congreve, May 2024 - Guest Artist
International Watercolour Season 2024, Xidi Village, China - Honorary invite
Art in the Open 2023 - Europe’s biggest Plein Air Event - Silver Award
Art in the Open 2023 - Europe’s biggest Plein Air Event - Artsist Choice
Solo Exhibition 2023 - Bandon - Grey Heron Gallery