John Cooney (64) is an artist from Carrickfergus. He paints in watercolour and oil.
He started painting while teaching in primary school. John had to give teaching up as he became more successful as an artist.
What genre / style do you create in?
Realism.
What would you be best known for?
Portraits and landscapes of Donegal.
What would you consider your biggest achievement?
Coming second in Artist of the Year at the Mall Galleries, London a year ago.
What would you consider to be the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your industry?
I’m still learning but an online presence is a must.
What has been your biggest challenge to date?
Trying to stay motivated during the lockdown as everything has been cancelled.
Tell us a little about your personal life, are you married, kids, hobbies etc?
I am married and live with my wife in Carrickfergus. I have no children.
Tell us about your most recent work?
I have just completed a painting of a trader in St George’s Market, Belfast. I painted it during lockdown and really struggled to get motivated, not because of the subject but because I didn’t know where or when it would be exhibited.
What would you like us to tell people about?
My art, and the fact that giclee prints are available of my work. Selling these online keeps me sane while so many exhibitions have been cancelled.
If you had to describe your work to someone who has never heard of you what would you say?
My work is about the people of and landscapes of Ireland. They form the land but it also forms them. I try to make the ordinary, extraordinary.
What’s the funniest experience you’ve had in your business?
I photographed a farmer at a market in Donegal. I decided to paint him and when I’d finished it, I wanted to know his name but hadn’t a clue who he was.
I joined a Donegal sheep farmer’s group on Facebook and put the painting on, asking if anyone knew him. Quite a few knew him and gave me his name and mobile number. I texted him a picture of the painting but got no reply.
A Facebook farmer got back to me a week later, asking if I contacted him. I said I had but wasn’t sure if he got it as he hadn’t answered. The farmer said, ‘ Oh, he got it alright, he said it wasn’t him!”
What would your advice be to young people hoping to pursue the same industry?
Work hard but get feedback and don’t give up! I think artists get more rejections than anyone else.
Anything else you want to tell people about yourself or your work?
It’s totally original, I find the people and places I paint myself.
Who do you look up to and why?
There are so many great artists whom I’m in awe of. I couldn’t possibly name any one.
Find John on Instagram or on his website : www.johncooneyartist.com!