About Ailleen Byrne

I am driven to capturing a sense of place from the surroundings I experience. I’m drawn particularly to the ‘drama’ of the natural elements: big skies, rough seas, rugged hillsides.

I work in mixed media but when painting, I especially focus on using the inherent qualities of oil paint: the colour and texture to reflect elements of the environment that I’m observing.

I begin by making plein air sketches to capture key qualities. Back in the studio, I work straight onto the canvas. I often find myself revisiting the piece until what I see – reflects what I had experienced in the open air.

I'm influenced by the passion and big gestures of the early twentieth century Expressionists: Lucien Frued, Frank Auerbach and now Jenny Saville -  coupled with the observational tenacity of the impressionists: Manet, Degas.