Niamh lives in Greystones, and draws her inspiration from personal experiences, the environment, and cultures around the world.
Some 24 years ago, Niamh set out to take on what she was teaching, to go with what gives joy and satisfaction. Throwing herself into painting, she began to express feelings and emotions with colour, shape and flow. Many teachers and groups followed as she moved along this path.
Niamh also found a teacher in stained glass during this period. Thus grew her new love for its structure and detail, and of this new way of working.
The colours, textures, and the way the light comes through the glass inspired her. She worked with glass for four or five years “but as the body aged,,” she said, “it was reluctantly retired”.
“It was working with amazing people that brought me to inspirational vibration painting. The path from physiotherapy to counselling, through to healing therapy, all flowed into this space,” she explained. “On returning to painting in oils two years ago, after a fallow period of creativity, I found a flow to my painting that is very different from what it was before.
“Quite abstract but much more from the unconscious element of myself. Drawing in the vibrational aspects of feelings and colour to flow to the canvas.
“What will be observed is different to each person as the painting will vibrate at a different frequency and so it will intrigue, give joy, puzzle and work on many different levels.
“It only remains for me to say – enjoy and go with the flow.”
A proud octogenarian and mother to seven grown children, in Ireland and abroad, and grandmother to 13, Niamh hopes her work will intrigue and provide a daily moment of healing, peace and joy. In addition, part of the proceeds from the sale of her work from this exhibition will go to Merchants Quay Ireland.
Niamh Cooke’s exhibition runs from Friday, August 23 until Sunday, September 1, from 11am until 5pm daily.