barbara ann murray logo (240 x 100 px)

Storytelling through Art

About Me

The Story

My Name is Barbara Ann Murray, I live in Carrowholly, Westport, Co. Mayo and work from my home studio.

I mainly paint in oils. My drawings are in pen, ink, gold leaf, watercolors, and acrylic paints. My mixed media work is mosaic, glass, and sometimes clay.

I would describe my work as storytelling using ideas that are inspired from many places, especially folklore, dreams, landscapes, nature and structures. I like to question and have fun with our perception and society’s ideas of the world we live in. I use contrasting colours, materials, and subjects to send subtle messages of hope and beauty through the veil of dark and light.

Barbara Ann Photo

I Studied at Galway R.T.C. when I left school and graduated with a National Diploma in Fine art and design, I went on to work in a busy photography studio in Galway city where I learned to be a portrait photographer. I have also worked as a book illustrator and later as a self-taught mosaic artist earning many commissions after appearing on R.T.E’s Nationwide. I opened my own photography studio in Newport Town where I was a portrait and wedding photographer for many years. But I am back where I have always wanted to be making art and working from my home studio in Carrowholly surrounded and inspired by beautiful landscapes, nature and the sea.

My work hangs all over Ireland and the UK with one of my commissions made as a gift for the former President of Ireland Mary McAleese.

Exhibitions\Commissions

2023-Mayo Artists Open the Linenhall Arts Centre Castlebar.
2019-Commissioned to make large mosaic signage for Fahy National school
2018-Town Hall Theatre Westport solo exhibition ‘The Dreamer’
2018-Commissioned to work and over see Carrowbeg Art group in public mosaic at Distillery Rd. Westport
2017-Resident artist at the Customs House Gallery and Studio Westport
2017-Part of two group shows at the Customs House Gallery and Studios
2008- Town council commission for President Mary McAleese
2008- Mango’s restaurant Westport mosaic and mixed media
2008- ‘See yourself in a new light’ solo portrait exhibition Clew Bay Hotel Westport
2007- The Stone Gallery Westport portrait photography
2005- Painted themed backdrops for ‘The Electric Cave Productions’
2005- Featured on R.T.E.’s Nationwide
2004-Westport arts festival
2003 Mayo Artists Open The Linenhall Arts Centre Castlebar
1997- Liquid Night Club solo show
1997-Eyre Square shopping centre group show
1996- University College Galway group show

Explore my Work

Go to my Gallery and see my current work available to purchase and some of my previous works and installations.

Gallery

The stories

Get a little background and learn about what inspired some of my favourite works