Paper Dreams Painting

Connor Maguire was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1977. He studied at the University of Ulster in Belfast. Taking a year away from his studies to work and travel, he spent a period of time in New York working in the United States. Returning home Connor has now been working steadily as a freelance artist specialising in painting from watercolours to oils, printmaking in the form of woodcuts, linocuts and drawing in charcoal and graphite exhibiting on a local and national level. Connors paintings are inspired from anything ranging from everyday events, personal experiences, friends or family or just an idea of what something is. After having his first solo exhibition in the Down Arts Centre in May 2003 he has continued to exhibit taking part in solo and group shows alongside Irelands most respected artists such as Neil Shawcross, Basil Blackshaw, Carol Graham and many other acclaimed painters recognised throughout Ireland. In August 2017 Connor participated in a book launch entitled "The Artists Cookbook" which consisted of 100 Irish artists contributing a piece of art in the form of their favourite recipe. Other Irish artists who were involved were Gordon Harris and PJ Lynch who is currently Irelands Laureate na nÓg. Sales of the published book were donated in aid of Syria/Iraq victims. Winning the Chairman’s award in 2003, Connor has gone on to win the "Stephens Award", "Anna Cheyne Award", "Carnathan Galleries Award", "West Dean College Award" amongst many others. He is the youngest member to gain membership to the Ulster Watercolour Society and exhibits on an annual basis with his paintings selling in each show. After exhibiting in Hillsborough Castle he has received a personal letter from Prince Charles of Clarence house congratulating him on his participation and contribution to “The Prince’s trust” after representing his charity in the event. Over the next year he is hoping to concentrate a lot more on portraiture and introducing more figures into the paintings with a more realistic finish. Perhaps working on a larger scale. Connor has been interviewed and taken part in BBC Radio 4 programmes talking about his work with broadcasting Journalists Perminder Khatkar and Helen Marks. He was shortlisted as Artist of the year in 2013 in association with Artists & Illustrators Magazine exhibiting in London's prestigious Mall Galleries alongside some of Britains greatest Artists.