Paul Guilfoyle

Paul Guilfoyle was born in Dublin. From a young & impressionable age, he spent many lengthy summer holidays in Galway & Mayo. The strong visual memories of these times stayed with him & kept drawing him back. It was inevitable, that when he began to paint, he would respond to these images. He has exhibited extensively in Ireland since 1993. Much of his work is inspired by holidays taken in the west of Ireland, and accounts for a timeless quality in most of his work. The west, his first subject matter on pursuing an artistic career in the early 1990’s, continues to provide him with inspiration. One of the most interesting elements of Paul’s work is his attentiveness to the accurate description of the constantly changing light. Working primarily in oil, he characteristically employs bold, confident brushwork and a rich palette to describe the recalcitrant landscapes of rural Ireland.

Paul’s work is represented in many major collections in the USA, Ireland, Britain & Europe. He exhibits regularly at the Frank Lewis Gallery, the Kilcock Art Gallery & Kenny’s Gallery.

Gemma Guihan

When the concept for this exhibition was initially proposed by Patricia Lawlor, it was warmly welcomed by Gemma, as an exciting opportunity to share an exhibition with two very good friends, whose work she has long held in high regard.

Through their respective careers the three have become firm friends and share a mutual interest in hill- walking. They meet on a regular basis to discuss and exchange ideas about their work.

Gemma is exhibiting paintings, all oil on canvas, ranging from still-life, landscapes, cattle, and townscapes.

It has been over two years since Gemma last exhibited in Portlaoise. Art lovers and collectors will be delighted with this opportunity to view this breathtaking work.

Gemma’s work can be seen regularly at the Kingswood Art Gallery in Dublin, Green Acres Gallery in Wexford, Lee Gallery in Cork and Kenny’s Gallery in Galway.

Jock Nichol

Born in Kelso, Scotland, Jock attended the Edinburgh College of Art, where he obtained his BA Hons. & Post Graduate Diploma.  He moved to Ireland 1992. 

“Though I love the varied landscapes of Ireland, I am constantly drawn back to the familiar landscape of bog and hill around my adopted home. When I begin a painting I have only a vague idea of how the finished piece will look. Starting from studies and sketches done in situ, I find photographs too definitive and restricting.  Many layers of paint are added and scraped away until a satisfactory image begins to emerge, and the painting begins to take on life. These are not necessarily a record of a specific time and place, but more of a response to my experience of a place, whether a fleeting moment or a composite portrait of a place over a longer period of time - kind of a visual imprint."

Jock has exhibited nationally and internationally and has work in private and public collections in Ireland, USA, UK, Canada and Australia.