Tomás O’Maoldomhnaigh, is a professional portrait and landscape artist. His works can be found all over Ireland and he is represented on the walls of many of Ireland's top companies.

His paintings have been sold to the United States, Europe, Africa and Australia. He now lives and works as a full time artist and illustrator in County Clare.

Tomás has held 20 solo exhibitions around Ireland as well as been involved in numerous group exhibitions.

Artist's Statement:

As an artist, I'm enthralled to put brush to canvas, it is at once both public and private. The world I reveal is an expression of my passion for both Classic European portraiture and the Pre-Raphaelite movement. I'm in awe of artists such as Sargent, Alma Tadema and the American Tony Ryder. I find the classic styles to be timeless, with a warmth and honesty not offered any more with modern movements.

Two things have always interested me: the human face and figure, their connection to and reflection of life. I am a figurative painter; I'm firmly committed to realism. The dilemma for me at the dawn of the 21st century: is how as an artist striving to be relevant in today's world, does one express issues as old as the human race, with a centuries old technique and style, in a manner and context appropriate and engaging to a contemporary audience? My response to that dilemma is my strong conviction that although the world around us has changed and thus our reactions to it, we human beings are essentially the same, with the same basic needs and wants.

I have always found that attempting to capture a likeness in a figure drawing over a long period of time was a crucial artistic endeavor. It refines one’s skill in the direct observation of the subject matter, and this process also increases the concentration of the artist, sometimes into a trance-like state. Painting the figure is an affirmative act of the utmost reverence, relevance, and devotion.

The figure has been absolutely central to my work in imagery and narrative. My subject matter changes as that of any other artist, but the figure is an important and recurring element of my work. Growing up I was exposed to a great variety of art forms in a city that places a great value on its culture and arts. There I was influenced by groups of artists and educators who are dedicated to preserve ancient cultural traditions and artistic heritage. But you can also find other groups who are learning and adopting the ideas and methodology of new avant-garde artistic trends from the evolving global artistic community.

As a visual artist, I am excited to live in these times of progressive art innovations, global artistic exchanges and technological advances. The possibilities to express oneself as an artist today are indeed overwhelmingly infinite. The potential to establish significant connections in the world community comes hand and hand with our new global village and is exciting and unprecedented. What a great time to be an artist and a storyteller.

Exhibitions

2019 Solo exhibition Istabraq Hall Civic Buildings Limerick
African Impressions Listowel Arts Centre, Kerry

2018 Solo exhibition Cashel, Co Tipperary

2016 Solo exhibition St Johns Theatre, Listowel, Co Kerry
Group exhibition (1916 centenary) Luan Gallery Athlone
Galway (1916 centenary) Connacht Tribune Galway
Solo Exhibition Cashel

2015 Joint exhibition with Margaret Ray Adare Heritage centre

2014 Exhibited in the Birr Arts Festival

2013 Discover Limerick’ book co author and illustrator.
Selected to exhibit in the Bristol art 2013

2012 Solo Exhibition Ivy Gallery, Tralee, Co Kerry.
RDS Horse Show Dublin
Solo Exhibition, Friars Gate Art Centre, Kilmallock Co. Limerick
Solo Exhibition, Mountmellick Library, Laois

2011 Joint Exhibition with Margaret Ray, Masonic Hall, Limerick
Solo Exhibition, Meubles Café , Kilkenny

2010 Solo Exhibition Huguenot Gallery, Portarlington. Co Laois
Solo Exhibition, St Johns Art Centre Listowel, Co Kerry

2009 Solo Exhibition Cliffs of Moher, Co Clare
Solo Exhibition, Limerick City Gallery of Art, Limerick

2007 Joint exhibition with Mgt Ray Watchhouse Cross Limerick
Solo Exhibition, DeValera Gallery Ennis Co Clare
Solo exhibition, Clarinbridge arts Festival
Selected to attend Cill Rialaig Project artist’s residency, Ballinskelligs, Co Kerry
Solo Exhibition, Talbot Gallery Restaurant, Talbot St Dublin

2006 Solo Exhibition St Johns Arts Centre, Listowel, Kerry
Solo Exhibition Coastguard Station, Tramore
Solo Exhibition Mullingar Arts Centre Westmeath
Solo exhibition Custom House Gallery Westport, Mayo

2005 Solo Exhibition Bank of Ireland Arts Centre, Dublin
Portrait Ireland 2005

2004 Solo Exhibition Excel Arts Centre, Tipperary

2003 ‘The Book of Clare’ illustrated by Tomás (40 watercolours of County Clare)