Tipperary artist combines abstraction with realism in each new painting

It can always be seen as a blessing in life to be able to follow one’s passions.

To be able to pursue them as a means for making a living is an even greater gift.

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Josephine Geaney has been following her love of abstract art for a number of years.

Painting has been a huge part of the Nenagh-based artist’s life ever since she was a child.

She discovered her love for art during her school years, and would go on to study Fine Art Painting in the Limerick School of Art and Design, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in the subject.

She went on to tutor with the Tipperary Education and Training Board for a number of years, before using the backdrop of the first COVID-19 lockdown to take the plunge and become a fully independent artist.

Josephine has spent her time ever since painting and exhibiting all over the country, with several new exhibitions opening before the end of 2025.

Josephine would describe her paintings as “atmospheric abstract painting with a suggestion of realism”, stating that what is most important to her when she is designing a piece of work is to create an emotion.

Josephine has drawn inspiration from many renowned abstract painters, while allowing her own style to flourish.

“Artists I’m inspired by, definitely Gerhard Richter, he's a German artist. And I love Peter Doig's work as well. They'd be the biggest influence in my work. But I don't have the same, I suppose, style as them, at the same time, but I love the way they use paint really.”

Josephine has built up a vast and expansive portfolio of works throughout the course of her career, however the piece she says she prides herself on the most is ‘the next piece’ she will create, as there are no limitations to where you can be taken with a blank canvas, and she strives to always improve with each piece she creates, while drawing inspiration from places she may not have thought to explore before.

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“Every time I paint, it's a new adventure for me. It's a new horizon and a new way of working with paint. I'm pushing the work all the time, so I think the next piece would be my favorite piece. Because I feel my style is changing now at the moment. So yeah, each new piece of art is my favourite. It's the process, really, it's the journey of making the paintings, is what lights my fire, really.”

Josephine is extremely grateful to all of those around her who have given her the opportunity to be able to follow her passion throughout her life, and is thankful to her family, and to collectors of her pieces, that her work is held in such high regard.

“I've been extremely lucky, you know, my work has always been received well, and I don't know, I suppose I have some collectors that really like my work as well.”

“I have received several residencies and awards. Thanks also to Tipperary County Council for their support through the years. In June 2026, I’ll be having a solo exhibition at Portumna Castle. I'm represented by Draiocht Gallery Adare and the Kildare Gallery.”

If you would like to view Josephine’s work, she will have an exhibition in Portumna Castle, Co Galway, this coming June.

You can also browse Josephine’s collection of work at www.josephinegeaneyartist.com.