About Me & My Oil Paintings

Hello - My name is Fiona. I'm an Irish artist from Co. Tyrone, on the border between the north and south of Ireland. I now live in Co. Meath.

I grew up on a small family farm, surrounded by fields and a forest full of wildlife, with the River Blackwater running under the bridge at the end of our lane. My childhood home was full of traditional Irish music, a love of country life, and an appreciation for practical, hands on making. In this atmosphere, I was encouraged to be creative, so many of my earliest memories are of drawing, and painting.

While primarily a self-taught artist, I have refined my skills over many years, such as through completing a series of part-time courses. I enjoy experimenting with different mediums and materials - this has allowed my oil paintings to emerge and evolve with each new discovery. 

My Art:

By Irish Artist Fiona McKenna

I capture the Irish landscape and coast through contemporary, expressive and colourful oil paintings. To me, places are important as they are connected with memories, people, stories and moments from our past.

My Inspiration:

Spending time outdoors inspires me to believe that anything is possible - I can think clearly while feeling restored, refreshed and relaxed. 

My oil paintings are inspired by the wide-open spaces of the Irish countryside, the vibrant colors of wildflowers and peaceful moments by the sea. The rolling hills, vibrant fields, rugged cliffs and serene beaches offer endless inspiration and enchantment. I aspire to immerse viewers in the beauty of the Irish landscape and coast, helping them reconnect with their own cherished memories.

How I Paint:

My work begins with revisiting familiar places and scenes as a starting point - then I use my creative intuition to guide the process. This gives me the freedom to create an original piece of art that evokes the feeling and mood of a place. I aim to convey a moment filled with energy, whether calming or uplifting, capturing atmosphere and shifting light through colour, texture and movement. 

I prefer to use a few favourite palette knives and a small number of paint brushes when creating my paintings. My art is more than replicating a scene; these pieces elicit memories of the past and encapsulate the feeling and energy of beautiful, joy-filled moments. 

I hope you enjoy the journey my art takes you on into your own memories, or vision, of Ireland.  

Click the links to view my paintings of the Irish Coast, the Irish Landscape and my vibrant floral art. Remember you can also follow me on Facebook & Instagram.

Thank you for visiting my website,

Fiona 🤍