Assuming the weather is warm, Jenny Scully-Sharkey could be found almost anywhere outdoors in the midlands with her easel and brush.
Jenny is fascinated by the midlands landscape. It has inspired her to produce paintings which are to be found in some of the best homes in the country.
"There is something about the light and the trees in the midlands which is unique," she said during the week as she put the final touches to her latest exhibition.
"The only thing is that it is also quite cold in the midlands and I have to retreat back to my studio to work from sketches which I do when the weather is warmer," she said.
Jenny was born in Galway city. She studied at Cleveland College of Art and Design in England and began to paint professionally in 1985.
She brought to her painting a great love of music which has been a lifelong interest. Her grandmother trained to be a concert pianist but, unfortunately, died when she was very young.
Jenny lives in Edgeworthsown, Longford, with her husband, Bertie Sharkey, a doctor. They have two children, Ronan (10) and Fiona (8). "My husband is my patron because the truth is that I could not make a living as a professional artist without the help and support of my husband," she said.
"I have great sympathy for younger people who have no resources starting off. Trying to make a living from it would really send you to the garret."
Jenny describes herself as an impressionist artist and she works mainly in oils and watercolours.
"I am very much influenced by Claude Monet, who is described as the father of Impressionism but I also love Seurat, who founded pointillism," she said.
"However, I also love the works of Van Gogh and the great draughtmanship of Picasso. "I love to see people's first reaction to my paintings. At first they are struck by the colour and then by the drawing. I like them to read the paintings as if they were reading a good book," she said.
"I like to see people see the painting change and renew their pleasure at discovering something else while they are looking into the work." Jenny, who was a founder member of the Edgeworth Literary Weekend, exhibits her work mainly in the midlands and west. She has had her work presented to Presidents Hillery and Robinson.
Her work has also been presented to two former Taoisigh, John Bruton and Albert Reynolds, and to the current Taoiseach, Mr Ahern.
Her work has been commissioned by the Office of Public Works and is included in many private collections all over the world.
Her latest exhibition will be opened today at 8 p.m. in the Atrium Gallery, Backstage Theatre, Longford by Don Conroy, the wildlife artist and broadcaster.