A love of the great outdoors shines through in the work of artist Catherine Swan, who takes inspiration from her rural home of County Fermanagh for her pieces. Catherine often experiments with composition, scale and colour, creating paintings of familiar scenes but in her own distinctive style, to dramatic effect.

Here she speaks to Jessica Campbell about her artistic style, her favourite medium to use and what her art means to her.

JC: What is your artistic background?

CS: Since I can remember, I have enjoyed painting. After completing my A-Levels at Devenish College, I studied Fine Art, Painting at the Ulster University in Belfast. In July 2015 I graduated with an Honours Degree. With a lot of hard work and determination I set up my own business and I am self-employed since 2016.

JC: What inspires your art?

CS: At the moment a lot of my paintings are inspired by the beautiful Fermanagh countryside that surrounds my studio. When I am out walking my dog I get a lot of inspiration around the National Trust properties. I don’t always take photographs as I keep a visual diary in my head. When I am in the studio I recreate my own interpretation onto canvas. This allows me to be completely free with the painting. As I develop as an artist I am excited about the endless possibilities within painting. I continue to experiment with compositions, scale and colour to create something quirky and original.

JC: What has been your most ambitious piece to date?

CS: It takes time to complete commissions, as I have to create my clients brief which both they and I have to be happy with. I try to keep communication open during the painting process to allow the painting to develop within the remit of the brief. To identify one ambitious piece is difficult as I put a lot of time and effort into each one that I do.

JC: What different artistic mediums do you use and which is your favourite?

CS: I have worked in a variety of mediums. I have always enjoyed sketching and I often bring this element into my paintings. When I paint using watercolours, I work into it with ink. This helps to define the smaller details in the painting. My favourite medium to work in is oil paint. I spend most of my time working in oils on canvas. During my time at university I brought oil paint and charcoal together in painting, which I continue to use in my work today.

JC: What are you currently working on?

CS: At the moment I am working on several commissions. Following a very busy Christmas period in my business, I plan to start a new portfolio of work for 2019 in the next few weeks.

JC: Do you exhibit your work anywhere?

CS: I have been involved in a few exhibitions in the past. I have a very busy work schedule however I would like to exhibit in the near future.

JC: What has been your favourite project to date?

CS: My Degree Show in 2015 was the first time I had the opportunity to sell my work but also to see the publics reaction to it. I was totally overwhelmed by the love my work received and this show gave me the confidence I needed to set up my own business working as a full time artist.

JC: How would you describe your artistic style?

CS: My artistic style is somewhere between expressionist and semi abstract, my work remains recognisable yet with its own gestural style.

Recently I have been experimenting with smaller brushes on a smaller scale making the work a little more detailed. As I continue to develop and grow as an artist my work will continue to evolve.

JC:What does your art mean to you?

CS: My paintings reflect who I am and what I love. In a way its part of me, it comes from a place inside me that express only through painting.

Its always an amazing feeling when someone purchases an original painting from me, because its very much part of me.

I am very blessed to be able to work at what I love and make a living from it.