Swansong, Mayo Lakes

Oil On Canvas - 160cm x 160cm

The last of the 10 paintings I made for my Threshold Exhibition, 'Swansong'  is a love song to the Mayo Lakes and a lifetime of magical memories there.  

My Dad Mick fished Lough Mask & Lough Carra for over 50 years - some years more prolifically than others, but it was always a place of joy for him. By proxy, genes or otherwise, his joy has become mine and I loved to join him on these expeditions which then seeped into my own work. 

Before Covid we celebrated his 50th year fishing in Partry - his beloved home from home. It was glorious to finally return to Lough Mask post-pandemic. It was an illumination to see the vitality of place, people and nature infuse him. It energised him entirely. He was ginger-ish boarding the boat the first day but jumping ashore by the end of the week, exuberant!

Our fishing days behind us now, this painting encapsulates a lovely lifetime in nature with great people. Doing what you love truly is a life-force and nature is magic!