Artist Statement
It is the unique character of the landscape and people of Donegal that inspire my work. Nestled in this elemental landscape are small communities of hill farmers, fishermen, musicians, visual artists, poets & dreamers. I enjoy painting en Plein air and studio work. I use various media in response to the subject - Watercolour, Oil, Acrylic and also Fabric.
Mary Toland nee Comiskey
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I live in a rugged area in the West Gaeltach. Born and brought up in Clonmany, Inishowen, I have lived on Arranmore Island and now live and work In Gortahork. Surrounded by the Derryveagh Mountains and facing the wild atlantic coast and Islands, this elemental landscape and its people are the primary inspiration for my work. Apart from the years in the Crawford School of Art training as an Art Teacher, Donegal has always been my home and inspiration.
After a teaching career spanning 30 years I am now pursuing my dream of working as a full time artist. During my time as an Art Teacher I continued to paint, develop and exhibit my work. I have participated in Art/Culture exchanges with the Karl Richard Montag foundation in Bonn, Germany. I have Participated in a Residency programme in an Gailearai Gweedore in May 2018
Mary Toland née Comiskey
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Tá mé i mo chónaí i gceantar iargúlta sléibhtiúil, sa Ghaeltacht, in Iarthar Dhún na nGall.
Is as Cluain Maine in Inis Eoghain ó dhúchas mé. Bhí cónaí orm ar Oileán Árainn Mhóir agus anois tá mé lonnaithe i nGort a’Choirce. Le sléibhte Dhoire Bheatha timpeall orm agus cósta fiáin an Atlantaigh os mo chomhair is í áilleacht na háite an inspioráid is mó atá ar mo chuid oibre.
Seachas tréimhse sa Crawford School of Art ag oiliúint mar mhúinteoir ealaíne, is i nDún na nGall atá mo bhaile agus mo spreagadh.
Agus mé ag múinteoireacht ar feadh 30 bliain, lean mé ar aghaidh ag péintéireacht agus ag forbairt mo shaothar; ag glacadh páirt i gcláir malartaithe leis an Fondúireacht Karl Richard Montag i mBonn sa Ghearmáin, agus ag cuir mo chuid oibre ar taispeántas. Tá mé anois ag tabhairt faoi mian mo chroí, ag oibriú mar ealaíontóir lán-aimseartha.
Is ón nádúr faoi leith a bhaineann le tírdhreach agus le bunadh na háite i nDún na nGall a spreagann mo shaothar. Suite sa tírdhreach bunúsach seo tá feirmeoirí cnoic, iascairí, ceoltóirí, fís-ealaíontóirí, filí agus lucht físe. Bainim taitneamh as péintéireacht “en plein air”, chomh maith le obair stiúideo. Úsáidim meáin éagsúla i mo chuid ealaíne ag brath ar an ábhar – Uiscedhath, Ola,