Interview With The Artist Pauline Dunleavy
West Clare artist Pauline Dunleavy discusses almost three decades of painting, the wild Irish landscape, her love of colour and the importance of finding joy in the creative process.
A creative life shaped by landscape, colour and observation
Irish Artmart is delighted to feature Pauline Dunleavy, an artist whose creative practice has developed across almost three decades of painting.
Drawn particularly to landscapes and seascapes, Pauline finds inspiration in wild shorelines, changing weather, rocks and the wider landscape around her.
Her work begins with observation and experience — often on location — before developing through sketches, colour, intuition and layers of paint. At the centre of it all is a simple but important belief: painting should be enjoyed by the artist creating it as much as by the person who eventually lives with it.
A lifelong love of painting
After almost thirty years of painting, Pauline speaks about her development as an artist with warmth, humour and an enduring enthusiasm for the process itself.
Rather than placing her practice within a rigid artistic label, Pauline's relationship with art is rooted in making, learning and continuing to discover.
Experience has brought confidence, but it has never diminished her curiosity or her appreciation of other artists.
It begins with a connection to place
For Pauline, a painting — particularly a commission — often begins long before paint reaches the canvas.
She prefers first to understand the subject or place and establish an emotional connection with it before deciding whether to proceed.
Pauline describes an instinctive moment that tells her whether a subject is right:
Whenever possible she then visits the location herself, taking photographs, observing the surroundings and sketching on site.
“I sketch on site always, making marks to define important parts to be included. Painting is a joy to me.”Pauline Dunleavy
From sketch to canvas
Once Pauline returns to the studio with her sketches, the next stage becomes increasingly instinctive.
She lays down paint and allows the ideas already formed through observing and sketching the landscape to evolve naturally.
The sketch acts as a foundation rather than a fixed instruction, leaving room for spontaneity and expression.
For Pauline, enjoyment remains essential throughout the process.
Drawn to the wild landscape
Landscape and seascape repeatedly return to Pauline's work.
She is especially attracted to places where land and water meet — shoreline, sea, rocks and the surrounding landscape.
Difficult weather does little to discourage her. In fact, it can deepen her connection with the landscape.
The pleasure of mixing colour
Pauline's connection to landscape is closely tied to colour. The palette becomes another way of interpreting what she experiences outdoors.
This relationship between observation and colour gives Pauline the freedom to respond not only to what a place looks like, but also to how it feels.
Oil, experimentation and a little artistic temptation
Oil is the medium Pauline returns to most often, although her interests extend considerably further.
Her curiosity about materials has remained strong throughout her career.
One of her latest discoveries is considerably more portable than a traditional studio palette.
Inspired by Irish artists
Although Pauline enjoys art in many forms, she speaks particularly warmly about the artists working around her in Ireland.
Among the artists she admires are John Dinan, Padraig McCaul, Annmarie Bourke and Ruth Wood.
Her immediate artistic community is important too. Pauline is involved with the Kilrush Art Group, where working alongside fellow artists continues to provide encouragement and inspiration.
“To hear a lovely comment is always welcome, but to hear someone giving me advice is always welcome too.”Pauline Dunleavy
Exhibiting with the Kilrush Art Group
Pauline recently completed a series of local exhibitions in collaboration with the Kilrush Art Group, running from May through to the end of September at a local venue.
The exhibitions provided an opportunity not simply to display work, but also to participate in the wider artistic community that plays such an important role in her creative life.
After almost three decades of painting, Pauline's enthusiasm for creating, learning, exhibiting and observing remains clearly visible.
Whether working from sketches made beside the sea, developing a commission from a location that sparks an emotional response, mixing colour at the palette or discovering another new artistic tool, the enjoyment of painting remains firmly at the centre of her practice.
Explore Pauline's Art
A selection of work reflecting Pauline's love of landscape, seascape, colour and the Irish coast.
Discover More by Pauline Dunleavy
Explore original artwork by Pauline Dunleavy Anchor Crafts and discover more of her landscapes, seascapes and other works through her Irish Artmart artist store.
Visit Pauline's Artist Store