Exciting, fresh, and original. These are just some of the words used to describe the work of leading contemporary Irish artist, Eoin O’Connor.
He lives near Aughrim, in the Wicklow hills but his studio is in the pretty, seaside town of Gorey in Wexford. An early riser, his morning commute over the back roads is a daily source of inspiration, with ever changing nature, light and weather.
Never far from his hand is his trusty camera, the initial tool in his artist’s kit. He uses it to help translate the leap from three dimensions into two and the thoughtful rigour he applies to perspective, light and colour is directly linked to his early training and work as an architect.
However, more than 25 years have passed since then, and painting has become his driving force. Never one to rest on his laurels, he is compelled to develop his craft, stretching his abilities and the limitations of his mediums to ensure that each painting is completely true to his original vision of it. Like every journey, his work continues to evolve and his passion for painting has thrived.
There have been many highlights in his career: exhibitions in Ireland, the UK, Germany, the USA and the UAE; a portrait of actor Daniel Day Lewis for the European premiere of the multi-Oscar winning movie Lincoln, and a commission to design a sneaker for Converse’s 125th birthday.
Renowned for his charming and fun animal portraits, he uses dynamic angles and bright colours to bring out the unique character of each creature. Cattle are a perennial favourite, with horses, pigs, and even hens, featuring occasionally. What began as a lockdown project, the Mutz collection of dog portraits, has become hugely popular, with over 30 breeds included.
The magnificent scenery around him at home and his annual family holiday in Kerry, inspires his landscapes, uniquely Irish yet modern. Over the years he has created a variety of paintings that reflect his experiences: seascapes, the changing light of the rural landscape and buildings, woodlands, rivers, and local landmarks, sometimes soothing, sometimes energetic, always special. These are created using high quality materials and a variety of painting techniques.
Not everyone can afford original art, so he began to produce his own prints of his work, managing every step of the way to ensure the best quality, using the archival inks and paper for the highest resolution and truest colour, making Eoin O’Connor art available to everyone, without compromise.
In 2019, he launched a homeware range with Tipperary Crystal. The range has expanded over the years and now includes several Mutz elements. These items are a wonderful introduction to his art and are available online and around the country.
