Let us introduce you to the vibrant work of Therese. The bright, yet soothing colours are a feast for the eye. Her paintings have the Irish countryside written all over it. With great pleasure we bring you a few words from the very kind Therese O’Keeffe.
Hi Therese, for our readers who do not know you, could you introduce yourself a bit?
I’m an irish artist, from the southwest of Ireland, a place called Killarney. I started painting as a hobby, not knowing whether i would enjoy it or not. I quickly realised that not only did i love it but it gave me a huge sense of satisfaction, fulfilment and happiness. I’m really family orientated and paint to bring beauty into other people’s homes and families.
![Therese O'Keeffe - Colourful Dreams](https://cdn.cfye.com/app/uploads/2015/11/28105612/DSCF2970.jpg)
Flowers seem to play a special role in your work, where does that love for flowers come from?
I have always lived in the countryside and flowers and hedgerows are an integral part of that. Painting flowers allows me to interpret natural beauty creatively and its a good subject that gives me freedom to take artistic licence to explore abstract and impressionist styles in an intuitive way. Also I love flower paintings in a kitchen because i think it brings the outside in.
![Therese O'Keeffe - In the Long Grass](https://cdn.cfye.com/app/uploads/2015/11/28105613/DSCF2931.jpg)
What are you working on right now?
Right now i am getting ready for some local christmas exhibitions, touching up pieces that I have been working on all year. They are mostly flowers and some landscapes. some painting are never finished! Also I paint a Christmas card every year for family and customers.
![Therese O'Keeffe - Beautiful Budleia](https://cdn.cfye.com/app/uploads/2015/11/28105616/DSCF2618.jpg)
Do you have any favourite places to paint?
I love to paint in my kitchen or garden, the weather normally dictates where this happens! Light is so important and can really influence what i paint.
![Therese O'Keeffe - Walking Through Autumn](https://cdn.cfye.com/app/uploads/2015/11/28105614/DSCF2786.jpg)
What was the best advice given to you as an artist?
The best advice i got was to believe in myself and success will come, sometimes it can be hard when i haven’t sold anything in a few months but i work at not getting disheartened, and remind myself that I’m doing what I love and selling work is a happy bonus, then i forget all of it when i sell a few again, i also thing its important not to compare yourself to others, each artist is unique.
![Therese O'Keeffe - To the Waters and the Wild](https://cdn.cfye.com/app/uploads/2015/11/28105613/DSCF2917.jpg)
What can we expect from Therese in the future?
I’ll still paint with oils and find inspiration from the work of other artists and nature. I really enjoy creating something new so will keep exploring more abstract ways to paint and express natures beauty in even more beautiful ways.