Perfectly Paired

This painting was inspired by one of Ireland’s simplest, most satisfying traditions: a pint of the black stuff paired with fresh oysters. I love how that pairing feels both old-world and completely alive, something you might stumble into on a windswept coast or in a snug pub with good company and no rush.

On the surface, it’s a depiction of one of Ireland’s most iconic pairings, but underneath, it’s also about connection, the way certain things (and certain people) just work together. Friends who bring out the best in each other, partners who balance each other perfectly… the kind of pairing that feels effortless and true.

This painting was poured freestyle onto a prepared surface and built up in layers over time. The first layer began with a black, inky mix poured to create the foundation of the composition, essentially my drawing without pencils or a traditional sketch underneath. The pouring process is contactless, which means gravity and flow become part of the work, bringing their own natural movement. I guide the ink where I want it to go, but I also welcome the unexpected marks that add a sense of spontaneity, like the lively clink of glasses and bursts of conversation that belong to a good pub.

From there, the piece develops through layers of colour introduced by pouring, dripping and splashing with pipettes, then pushing and blowing inks and washes across the surface before they dry.

As the layers build, so does the texture and depth of the surface. The mix of gloss and matte effects means the painting shifts depending on the light, the pint darkens and softens, the oysters catch a gleam, and the whole piece changes mood throughout the day. Like a perfect pairing, it’s at its best in the interplay: two elements side by side, each made richer by the other.