DERRYLIN artist Mary Prior "stumbled" into painting 20 years ago while accompanying her son to an art class.

Since then she has been developing her style, working in acrylics, watercolours and her favourite medium of oils, to create pieces that "evoke nostalgic memories", which are often inspired by her surroundings.

However, most recently she has found herself painting portraits, celebration of a family event or as a show of respect to mark the loss of a loved one that has passed away.

Here she talks to The Impartial Reporter about her biggest influences, how she would describe her artistic style, and what her art means to her.

What inspires your art?

I LIKE to concentrate on the surrounding countryside of Cavan and Fermanagh, drawing inspiration from the abundant seasonal chroma that nature provides.

My influences are first and foremost everything I see, from the architectural structure of an old building to the tranquil countryside scenes.

I endeavour to recreate an atmosphere and evoke nostalgic memories for the viewer by my personal interpretation of these images.

Who/what are your biggest influences?

THE artists that inspire me are the Old Masters such as Caravaggio, who made a technique definitive by darkening shadows and transfixing subjects in a blinding shaft of light.

I love illustrating the strong tonal contrasts in an image by exaggerating the light and shadow areas.

Irish artist Kevin Lowery’s style of capturing the changing light on water in his beautiful bright landscape paintings, or contemporary artist Colin Davidson’s grand-scale portraits, are spectacular and astounding.

In his 'Silent Testimony Exhibition', he reveals the stories of 18 people who are connected by their individual experiences of loss through The Troubles.

This critically acclaimed body of work was on show at the Ulster Museum during 2015 and I was privileged to be able to visit and view these in person, before the exhibition embarked on a tour to Paris, and the United Nations in New York.

How would you describe your artistic style?

MY STYLES are a fusion of sgraffito techniques and traditional, working in oils, acrylics and watercolours.

My favourite medium would have to be oils, for their lustre of colour and the ability to move paint around, but I find that I am using acrylics more frequently because of their quick-drying ability.

I am currently working on a private commissioned portrait; recently the majority of my work has been portraits, either in celebration of a family event, or as a show of respect to mark the loss of a loved one that has passed away.

Do you exhibit your work anywhere?

SOME of the places that I have been privileged to exhibit my work in the past have been Solas Gallery, Ballinamore Co. Leitrim, 2011; An Tostal, Drumshambo, 2011; Higher Bridges Gallery, Enniskillen, 2011, 2016, 2017; Fermanagh County Museum, Enniskillen, 2011, 2017; Rianta, Cavan, 2012, 2013; The Linen Hall, Belfast, 2014, 2015; Boyle, Co. Roscommon, 2018, 2019; and Balbriggan, Co. Dublin, 2019.

What is your artistic background? Are you self-taught or did you go to art school/do courses?

I STUMBLED into painting while accompanying my son to an art class some 20 years ago, and immediately I was smitten!

This enthusiasm for art has motivated me to complete a degree in Fine Arts in Belfast five years ago.

Completing the art course has provided me with lots of inspiration to continue my painting, but has also gave me the courage and confidence to teach, and I am delighted to have had the opportunity to teach some wonderful groups in the community over the past five years.

The most remarkable group was the Fermanagh Stroke Support Group in Enniskillen, who despite their problems with balance and coordination, were determined to overcome these impairments and continue to take part in their normal activities.

Their perseverance and determination was definitely a remarkable and memorable experience for me.

Is there a specific place that you do your work?

I AM from Derrylin and my studio is based in my home.

What are you up to when you aren’t creating art?

WHEN I am not creating art, I work part-time in a clerical role in the local community, and I am a mother to four adult children. I also have a keen interest in gardening, walking and reading.

What does your art mean to you?

MY LOVE of art has always been a mainstay in my life – the enjoyment and satisfaction that I feel when I am painting is both relaxing and therapeutic, and over the past 12 months it has definitely been my sanity.