SHEELYN BROWNE
Hello, I'm Sheelyn, a printmaker based in the west of Ireland, in the beautiful town of Westport. I'm the 14th great-granddaughter of Grace O'Malley (Granuaile) and one of the Westport House Brownes.
Here you can discover more about my style and influences and I invite you to explore my artwork in my online shop. ​​​
Art Journey
I started out, studying Visual Communications at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, graduating with a Bachelor of Design in 1987. During those formative years I discovered my passion for relief cut printmaking, particularly linocut and woodcut – one of the earliest techniques of illustration ever invented.
What captivated me was the tactile process of beginning with the knife and block of wood in hand, working in three dimensions, yet creating something beautifully two-dimensional – the final print.
My portfolio spans from portraits of famous Irish writers to figurative studies and wildlife-themed pieces, each one carved with the same passion that first drew me to this ancient art form.
Art Influence
In earlier years I drew inspiration from the elegant works of 18th century Japanese woodcut artists. However, it’s the raw power of the German Expressionists that truly moves me.
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Artists like Heckel, Kirchner and Nolde remain my greatest influences, and their bold, emotional approach continues to inform my work today.
Career Highlights
Over the years, I've been fortunate to share my work through solo exhibitions at The Bank of Ireland Arts Centre in Dublin and Blackburn House in Liverpool. I continue to exhibit locally as part of Westports Arts Festival ‘Westival’, and other occasional exhibits.
Commissions
I absolutely love working on commissions and am always excited to take on new projects. From book cover illustrations to bespoke paper cut designs, I'm genuinely open to exploring different creative possibilities with linocut as my medium of choice. Please take a look at samples of my commission work and feel free to get in touch to discuss your ideas.