A series of stunning paintings inspired by the scenic backdrop of the Falcarragh area and memories of his home land form the basis of an new exhibition by Martin Coyle.
London-based Martin began to develop his artistic interests when the lockdown hit and allowed him more time away from his day job working in maintenance.
He said he used this time to start painting for the simple enjoyment of exploring his creative side.
From there he began to share his work via Facebook for fun and soon grew a following as he developed his talent for painting in various styles.
Now An t-Sean Bheairic will host an exhibition featuring up to 50 original works that launches this Friday, July 29th at 7.30pm.
Martin Coyle landscapes
Hailing from the well-known Coyle family who ran the popular Coyle’s Café on the town’s Main Street he is the son of Seamus and Margaret Coyle (née Hanlon) he grew up with his nine siblings and went to school locally.
He played GAA for Cloughaneelly and soccer for Glenea United and was also a former All-Ireland winner with PCC.
However, he left for London where he works and went on to raise his family.
Speaking of his interest in art he said he probably has always been an artist at heart but never got the time or space to develop his interest until the forced lock down saw him fill the long winter evenings with painting.
Speaking of his first exhibition on home soil he stated: “It has all happened very quickly. I started this two years ago. I went to London when I was 22 and I never had the space to do it but then when I had the time and space during the long the winter evenings and would then post them up on Facebook and people reacted to that. I’d do a painting on a Sunday and one on a Wednesday. I got addicted to doing them and the more I did the better they got I felt and thats when people started to say I should have an exhibition. Really I was just doing it for enjoyment and then sharing it and people began to look forward to seeing them during Covid. When people reacted to it I was quite humbled by their responses”.
From there he spoke with Charlie ‘The Yank’ Boyle and Noelle Smullen who along with the staff of An t-Sean Bheairic helped arrange the Falcarragh event that runs throughout August and another smaller exhibition in Gaoth Dobhair.
Martin says his childhood and the landscape of his youth growing up in Falcarragh inspires much of his work.
“I just enjoy it and paint whatever comes into my head. It’s mostly the things I was brought up with at home, going through the fields, or in the fish and chip shop we ran in Falcarragh. Dad had a boat and we spent so much time looking out to sea – these are the things I remember through my own eyes and that’s just where the paintings came out of”.
Entitled “Thall Agus Abus – Here, there and everywhere” the exhibition is in An t-Sean Bheairic on this Friday July 29th and runs until August 13th. To find out more see Martin Coyle Art on Facebook.