Vanessa, an artist living in Donegal on the Inishowen peninsula, began her creative journey in textile design at the National College of Art and Design (NCAD). Her career took her across multiple creative fields, but it was her MA in Visual Art Practices at IADT that sparked a more experimental, mixed-media approach. Now blending painting, illustration, and collage, Vanessa draws on the raw beauty of her coastal surroundings and a love for paper ephemera to infuse each piece with texture, color, and spontaneity.

Her daily practice, sustained since 2010, reflects her evolving connection to various mixed media. Vanessa’s studio is her haven, filled with works on paper and canvas—a testament to her passion and discipline. As she describes it, “I live to create—every single day starts in my studio, surrounded by the tools of my trade. It’s my joy and my space.” Her collection offers viewers a window into her growth and a uniquely rooted artistic voice within Ireland’s contemporary art scene.