My younger son, Odhrán, grew up with a special affinity with frogs. The Celtic Frog was a special request by him that was tattooed on his arm in December 2019.

This horse was created for one of my dear friends who I met while pursuing my MLitt in Celtic Studies. She loves horses and was extensively researching key pattern. The spiraling of the joints and the simplified face was based from the descriptions I saw in George Bain’s ‘Methods of Construction’ under animals, specifically the horse. As with most of my animal drawings, I use large spirals for the joints and then add a simple pattern or a more complex motif within the main body. In this case, because my friend was studying key pattern, I used key pattern for the body of the horse. The original artwork is PrismaColor markers on Bristol smooth paper and I made an iron on transfer of it in order to create a t-shirt for my friend.

This piece mixes traditional insular techniques and materials with modern graffiti markers and letter styles. The work is on parchment with the tree of life and the word Ligno created using the geometry and pigments from the Book of Kells including, oak bark ink, cudbear lichen, orpiment, lead, woad and Verdigris. The word Vitae is painted in graffiti markers with the traditional pairing of chrome and black associated with the simpler graffiti scripts. The theme is based on the extinction rebellion terminology for climate change, that the world is on fire.

Originally inspired by two sisters singing Gaelic harmonies at a pub in Glasgow Scotland, this piece has come to represent Áine and Grainne, sisters of Irish mythology. Áine, whose name means “radiance”, was believed to rule over the light half of the year and Grainne reigned over the darker half. Grainne might also represent another aspect of Áine, the shadow and light that dwells within us all. This piece was painted with mixed media on hand-made paper.

Harris Tweed – machine embroidery.

A celtic inspired snowdrop design as a greetings card

A commission for the National Library of Scotland in response to a 1930’s English exam question.

Using traditional pigments graffiti markers, and other materials on parchment, I’ve mixed insular geometry with graffiti techniques.

The first in a series I am working on depicting the saints in the Insular art style and one of my first serious attempts at creating an Insular-style piece. Created with FW acrylic inks on Bristol smooth paper. The Holy Family is the central focus, with the Archangel Gabriel above holding a scepter and an olive branch. The shepherds and Wise Men make their appearances in the triangular panels at the top. There are two variations of the tree of life coming out of the chalices, as well as two trinity knots in the bottom corners.

Priest’s chasuble

Tartan is Buchanan (ancient colours), embroidered with metallic threads on wool/poly blend fabric

A celtic inspired forget me not design which I have reproduced onto various items including this ceramic hanging ornament