The Story Behind Madra Art
A journey inspired by one remarkable dog, a love of painting, and a fascination with the individuality of every dog I meet.
It started with one dog.
Before I ever thought of painting dogs professionally, there was Rix.
He wasn't the reason I started painting, but he became the reason I never looked at dogs in quite the same way again. Living with him taught me that every dog has a unique way of moving, watching, communicating and simply being. The more I observed him, the more I realised there was far more to a dog than first meets the eye.
That curiosity never left me. It is the starting point of every portrait I paint.
Art, Dogs and Presence
It may seem natural that I paint dogs because I love them. Of course I do, but that’s only part of the reason.
As an artist, I find dogs endlessly fascinating. Their anatomy, movement, expressions and individuality make them every bit as complex and rewarding to paint as a human portrait.
They were also my first teachers. Before I began painting commissions, I filled sketchbooks drawing my own dog, learning to observe rather than assume.
Looking back, I think that’s where my two greatest passions first met. Painting demands complete attention. So do dogs. Neither allows you to be somewhere else. Both ask you to be fully present.
It's Never Too Late to Begin
I discovered painting at the age of 34. Until then, I had never imagined becoming an artist.
Like most beginners, I made countless mistakes. I spent years drawing, painting, studying and trying to understand why some works felt alive while others didn't. At that stage, my only goal was simply to become better.
Along the way, I completed a Master's degree in Fine Art, but I also learned through many hours of observing, painting and starting over.
Looking back, I'm grateful I didn't let the idea of being "too late" stop me from beginning.
Ireland
Moving to Ireland introduced me to a part of the canine world I knew nothing about.
I discovered that Ireland has nine native dog breeds. While some are recognised around the world, others were completely new to me. What fascinated me most was that every one of them had its own remarkable story to tell.
I found myself reading about the work these dogs had done for centuries and the lives they shared with people. For example, the Glen of Imaal Terrier, small enough to tuck under one arm, was bred to hunt badgers underground without making a sound, while the Irish Wolfhound we know today is very different from its ancient ancestors. Every breed revealed something I hadn't expected.
hat curiosity turned into the Irish Dog Portraiture Collection—the first fine art collection dedicated to all nine native Irish breeds. It brought together everything that had shaped my journey so far: my love of dogs, realism and my gratitude to the country I now call home.
Beyond the Portrait
Alongside commissioned portraits, I continue to develop my own body of work. While some paintings explore the relationship between people and dogs, others are a chance to experiment more freely with colour, composition, shape and atmosphere.
Whatever direction I'm exploring, dogs remain at the heart of my work. They continue to surprise me, challenge me and inspire me in ways I never expected.
Continue exploring
If you’d like to know more about how I found my way to painting dogs and what brought me to Ireland, you can read my story here.