About the Artist
ARTIST STATEMENT:
Art, for me, is both personal and communal. It is a healing practice that has significantly impacted my own quality of life. But beyond its personal meaning, I create to foster connection.
When someone resonates with a work, whether through shared emotion or a fresh interpretation, that exchange becomes the heart of the creative experience. It’s this potential for mutual recognition and connection that drives my practice forward.
I am a mixed-media artist working in collections that span multiple genres, reflecting my multifaceted personality and ongoing artistic exploration. My process is rooted in experimentation and intuitive development. I begin each piece with loose, gestural marks that introduce movement and spontaneity. From there I layer diverse materials, allowing the work to evolve organically, shaped by both intent and discovery.
My aesthetic is bold, vibrant, and reflective. Bright colours, energetic mark-making, and intricate patterns are central to my visual language. These elements come together to evoke a sense of vitality, playfulness, and optimism. While the tone of my work is often uplifting, it is also grounded in deeper emotional undercurrents: resilience, transformation, and the will to rise.
Each piece seeks to connect with viewers on a visceral level, engaging the spirit and inspiring a sense of hope.
At its core, my work reflects a belief in persistence: that we can overcome adversity through determination and creative thinking. Life’s challenges may knock us down repeatedly, but there is always strength in rising. My goal is for this energy, of colour, motion, and intention, to empower those who engage with my art. I want it to serve as a visual reminder of what is possible when we keep moving, keep dreaming, and keep creating. — Claire (CiCi)
ARTIST BIO:
Irish artist Claire O'Shea lives in Kinsale, on the Southwest Coast of Ireland, painting under the artist name CiCi. Her paintings show her reflective side with themes such as resilience and hope recurring.Living and growing up in West Cork, its' coastline and the sea are also a big influence on her work. The art is often vividly colourful and energetic amplifying what she receives from her bond to nature. Claire is mostly self taught, taking self paced courses and painting on and off throughout her life since she was a young teen.
The loss of her sister to suicide profoundly shaped her path and art took on a more healing role in the years following. She now advocates for suicide awareness and believes in the transformative and healing power of creativity for mental and emotional well-being. Using inspiring quotes, music, meditation, memories and emotions to guide her in her creative process, she endeavours to imbue uplifting energy into her art.
During the pandemic she undertook a year long intensive art mastery programme with the Milan Art Institute to further develop her skills and hone her own unique style and artistic processes.
Over the next few years she developed her own vibrant and energetic mixed media style, working in collections spanning multiple genres, a reflection of her multifaceted personality and artistic curiosity. Her style is characterised by a bold use of colour alongside dynamic, introspective compositions often of her experiences with loss but always with a hopeful and uplifting note.
In 2021 CiCi began to showcase her work to the public, organising and curating exhibits for herself and others to raise the profile of emerging artists throughout West Cork. Additionally she often uses her exhibitions as a way to open conversations around mental health and raise awareness and funds for suicide charities. Launching in 2021 with a trio exhibition titled 'A New Wave' in Bantry, the artists donated and auctioned original art to raise funds for Cork based suicide prevention charity Lisheens House. CiCi followed this up with a successful solo show in Kinsale in 2023 titled 'Life is Neon' supported by Cork Couty Council and in conjunction with Culture Night. In 2024 CiCi and fellow artist Angela Wilson were hosted by Cnoc Bui Arts Centre for a duo exhibition called 'Brightside' again raising money and awareness for suicide prevention with this exhibit. In 2025 she did a solo preview of new works during Kinsale Arts Festival and spent time on retreat in France with renowned Irish abstract artist Eamon Colman in the Summer, which inspired her to design and launch creative wellness workshops later in the year.
CiCi has also shown in many gallery group exhibitions and arts festivals throughout Ireland, including curated exhibitions in Kildare, Cork and the Alternative Arts Festival in Kilkenny. She is a regular contributor to the Uillinn Arts Centres' annual winter exhibition in Co. Cork.
She lives with her partner James and dog Bailey near the picturesque seaside town of Kinsale in South West Ireland. They travel often in their cosy camper LuLu, to learn more about Claire, her influences and life, click the 'Follow Me' button below to follow her on Instagram.