Artist Statement: Kate Byrne                          

Kate Byrne, originally from Co. Wicklow,  is a watercolour artist with specialty in portraying dogs.  She has completed many dog portraits by commission.

Kate likes to work in a loose, quick and fluid style to capture movement, the essence of character and those magical moments that make us smile.

Many of her dog paintings are inspired by visits to the nursing homes where she volunteers with Irish Therapy Dogs with her dogs,  Belle (RIP) and Peggy.  Here, Kate witnesses the wonderful and far reaching relationships that co-exist between dog and human.

Coming from an artistic family background, and having been surrounded by art all her life, it was no surprise when Kate came to painting later in life. Initially her creative urge naturally resulted in painting what she was most passionate about and this led to many commissions of pet portraits in the early days.  Now, however, since recent life changing decisions led her to Co. Sligo Kate is branching out and exploring other avenues.

Themes of dreams, new life and bright light feature strongly in her work, amidst reflections of the beautiful new landscape, using different mediums and delving into the world of abstract art and loose, dreamy florals Kate portrays the beauty of the new life and vitality encompassing and surrounding her on her new chosen path.