Born in 1972 in Penclawdd, South Wales, Dave West grew up in Swansea City before moving in 1995 to Ireland. He now lives and works full time as an artist in North County Dublin. He is self-taught and in 2013 graduated with a degree in History of Art from the Open University
Dave is a highly versatile artist working predominately in oil paint but always experimenting with other media including watercolour, printmaking, charcoal, pastel and drawing.
What ties each strand of his art practice together is a focus on working from life whether that be from the model in the life room, trying to capture the movement of performers at the Circus, painting ‘en plein air’ at the edge of an Atlantic cliff or using pochade sketches and memory fragments to reconstruct a larger landscape in the studio.
He believes that it is this single element that gives an authentic, unique character to his work and as a representational painter he is constantly exploring the relationships between mark, gesture, material and meaning.
Dave’s ‘plein air’ landscape painting takes him the length and breadth of Ireland in search of fresh subject matter in addition to occasional trips abroad, he is a regular participant and tutor at plein air events and festivals. He won the Gold Mayoral award at ‘Art in the Open’ Europe’s largest plein air festival in 2025 and 2017, a Silver award at the 2024 event and a first prize at Paint Out Norfolk in 2023.
His work is regularly exhibited at the majority of the most important societies and clubs including the Royal Cambrian, Hibernian, And Ulster Academies. He maintains a strong artistic connection with the UK and shows regularly with the Royal Society of Oil Painters, Royal Society of Marine Artists and the New English Art Club. For the past 3 years his work was selected for the prestigious Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in London.
"Drawing on my favourite places of inspiration on Achill Island and the Mayo coast, along with themes of family and togetherness, this exhibition continues my love affair with Achill. The ever changing skies and moods are the starting point of most of my work and wrap themselves around the ubiquitous cottages and farm buildings that I have been painting for many years now. Their purpose is to draw you into the landscape, the colours and textures aim to create the emotional connection. The Atlantic Ocean features prominently in these paintings, being ever present when you are living on an island.
After spending 10 years on Achill I moved in 2022 to Mullingar and the midlands. A very different proposition with it’s lakes and trees, but it has allowed me to enjoy seeing Achill through fresh eyes, as if for the first time. And so the Minaun Cliffs, Keel Beach, Slievemore Mountain all take on new life for me." Padraig McCaul
Padraig McCaul is an award winning artist who has exhibited internationally in London, New York and Australia and holds regular exhibitions in Ireland with galleries in Dublin and along the west coast. Originally Dublin born Padraig spent 10 years living on Achill Island before settling in Mullingar where he now lives with his family.
