In recent years the name Caroline Gallagher has become renowned and well-recognised for her colourful contemporary depictions of Irish landscape, landmarks and dramatic skylines.
Caroline studied at the University of Ulster, Belfast, receiving an honours degree in textiles and since completing her PGCE, Caroline has been a full-time Art and Design teacher for 35 years. Caroline believes that teaching is a creative practice, and she has grown and developed her own vision as a creative artist while also being busy supporting and inspiring many others in their artistic endeavours. As an art teacher, Caroline has helped many students to become successful artists, establishing their own studios and exhibiting in high-calibre galleries.
Having grown up in the seaside town of Portstewart, north coast of Ireland, and later moving to Warrenpoint, Co Down, surrounded by the breath-taking, majestic Mourne mountains, it is not surprising that Caroline has had a long-standing fascination with the sea and how the land and skies change throughout the day, seasons and weathers.
Caroline paints exclusively in oil paints. Their slow-drying nature allows her to work without pressure as the composition gradually emerges. Inspired by the dramatic seascapes, roaring waves of the Atlantic coast, and serene beauty of the Mourne mountains, Caroline’s love of her landscape is evident. Caroline can often be seen walking with her camera or sitting in a secluded spot making preliminary sketches and field notes and collecting natural materials. These are then taken to her home studio and become part of the process of creating her personal oil paintings - initially applying the paint in layers using a variety of brushes and then building up textures, form and detail with a palette knife and a range of different tools.