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Thelma Mansfield has always loved the sea shore from her early days on the beach with a net and bucket, trying to catch things and discovering all kinds of sea shells. She has had a long and happy relationship with Conamara bogs, regularly walking there with hawks and dogs. Her studio in Spiddal overlooks the little harbour and she revels in painting it in its various moods, especially in the storm. Thelma enjoys watching the comings and goings of the hookers and gleoiteogs. Thelma has been interested in art since her very young days. Her extraordinary talent was recognised early on when she was given the highest accolade in the Texaco Childrens Art Competition. On three occasions she won the top award in the Glen Abbey Art Competition, which was judged by the late James White.
She went to work in RTÉ while still in her teens, but she always kept up with her drawing and painting. When she retired from broadcasting in the late nineties, Thelma was free to devote all of her time to art. Artist's Statement: I just can’t tell you how happy it makes me feel to be a painter. I experienced that happiness as a toddler when I first scribbled with a pencil and saw all sorts of images appear in front of my eyes and then there were crayons bringing colour vibrance and life to my drawings. My love of painting grew through the years nourished by my appreciation of the glorious landscapes and seascapes every where you turn on this island which is my home. My time is divided between Dun Laoghaire looking out over Dublin bay, a favourite subject of mine and Spiddal Co.Galway overlooking Galway Bay which has been a huge inspiration to me with it’s dramatic skies and seas and ever changing light.
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