Richmond Bridge at Draw-off, etching

NIAMH MAC GOWAN trained as a graphic designer at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin. During her time there she found herself spending hours in the printmaking workshop. After working with a few design agencies she decided to go out on her own as a printmaker.

She moved to London where she lived for seven years and couldn't help but be inspired by The River Thames and the stunning old buildings to be found in Richmond, Twickenham and beyond. She began a series of etchings and aquatints while based there. These editions of prints proved very popular and many editions sold out. Niamh is currently working on some new pieces of the area. Niamh's works are predominantly small in scale. Her etchings and aquatints have become well known for their detailed and quirky, instantly-recognisable style. This, along with their affordable prices, prompts many people to tend to collect them.

In 2004, Niamh returned to Ireland and was accepted as a member of Graphic Studio Dublin. Additionally, she moved to County Wicklow where she also set up The Ballyrogan Gallery, specialising in fine art prints, ceramics and jewellery. This was well loved by its visitors and despite being a little too far off the beaten track to exist as a profitable business, Niamh gained a wealth of experience in her two and a half years running the gallery which has stood her in good stead in subsequent projects.

She then worked for two and a half years in Graphic Studio Gallery in Dublin where she rubbed shoulders with well known Irish and International Artists, continuing to fuel her passion for fine art printmaking.

Niamh now lives in a little cottage by the sea - surrounded by inspiring views, which is echoed in a lot of her more recent work - landscapes of the rolling hills and patchwork fields of 'The Garden County' are a far cry from the majestic buildings along the Thames. She returns to London and Dublin on a regular basis for her fix of historical architecture. She has also embarked down an exciting new route of painting rows of wooden houses by hand - her enjoyment of bockety buildings has found a new medium.

Her work has been purchased by the Office of Public Works and The Richmond upon Thames Borough Art Collection. It is also held in private collections both nationally and internationally.

The Ballyrogan Gallery