Susan Webb

Susan Webb was born in Newtownards, County Down in 1962. Daughter of well-known artists Kenneth Webb and Joan Webb, she has carved out her own niche as a painter since her first exhibition with the Kenny Gallery in 1980.

Susan combines her love of animals, most especially horses and dogs, with a great appreciation of the Irish landscape, giving a unique view of Irish equestrian life.

Susan spends much of her time travelling around Ireland teaching, and demonstrating painting techniques in oils, watercolours, pastels and acrylics as she runs the Irish School of Landscape painting founded by Kenneth Webb in the 1970's. Susan has taken many commissions for animal portraits from owners and trainers such as Michael Smurfit and Dermot Weld.

This is my latest collection of paintings, featuring mainly the Galway Races, which is still my favourite racecourse as it blends many different aspects of Galway; cosmopolitan but still the character of a country place. There is a very special atmosphere here in Galway. Obviously there is the buzz and excitement of a major race meeting which I have tried to capture with "Hope and Aspirations". Also, there's the unique light that permeates Connemara - a mix of (light) and that clean fresh taste of rain on the wind which sets my senses tingling - makes me feel really alive. I was thinking mainly of this as I worked on "Summer Storm". "Cheers and Tears" encompasses the packed stands, the more casual infield and the not-quite-forlorn hope as the favourite charges up the last furlong. "Storming Up the Hill" captures the excitement when I stand close to the action and feel the wind as these magnificent beasts pass, giving their all.

Engrossed as I am in my equestrian work I also want to present some of my more personal responses to this unique land of bog, light, water and air - as seen especially in the Ballinaboy Paintings.