Clive Byrne

I worked in Industry as a welder for 10 years before returning to education to change my career path to engineering, then ended up going to Art College (I had always had an interest in Art from a young age but had been brought up to ‘get a job and earn a wage’) where I acquired a B.A. (Hons) in Fine Art and a PGCE (Post Grad. Cert. in Education) Teaching in Art and Design.

Early in my Art career I exhibited fine art in the Manchester Art Gallery and Chester Library, plus ceramic work in Manchester University but teaching became my main priority and I spent 20 years in secondary special education where I used my artistic skills across the curriculum to encourage a positive experience and willingness to learn. Now I’m embarking on new horizons, using my life experiences to influence my art work.

I enjoy the use of colour. I am currently experimenting with contrasting colours that enhance their vibrancy and vividness. It interests me how colour combinations and brush strokes can show a sense of happiness, excitement, urgency and also have calming effects.