theGreat J.OC ⋆˚｡꩜

@johnoconnor.art

Artist: Musician. Photographer. Painter. Occasional Stone Carver. Question Asker. Early Riser. Father to two half grown humans. Partner and best Friend. All Photographs, Artworks and Music are my own unless otherwise noted.

A black-and-white photo of two kittens watching something intently off-camera. In the foreground, Zoey, a black-and-white tuxedo kitten, gazes upward with wide, focused eyes. Behind her, Nemo, a tabby kitten with large ears and bright, curious eyes, sits alert and looks in the same direction. Both appear completely captivated, as though watching birds or wildlife on a screen. The softly blurred background keeps the attention on their expressive faces and shared moment of curiosity.

A black-and-white 11-week-old kitten named Zoey is asleep curled into a tight ball inside a white bathroom sink beneath a chrome faucet. Her white paws are tucked under her face, and her fluffy black tail wraps around her body. A folded grey washcloth with a white bar of soap sits on the edge of the sink, emphasizing how tiny and snug she is. The photo is in black and white, giving the peaceful scene a calm, cozy feel.

This original oil on canvas painting, "Harbour View", depicts a charming, colorful row of buildings lining a waterfront. The composition features a row of five main houses, each painted in a distinct, vibrant color: a deep cerulean blue, a rich emerald green, a striking crimson red, a sunny golden yellow, and a bright white. The buildings have dark charcoal grey roofs and numerous small, loosely painted windows and doors, adding depth to their simple forms. A narrow strip of green and brown foreground edge leads into the water, which vividly reflects the colorful facade in vertical streaks of blue, green, red, yellow, and white. Behind the buildings, a lush, rolling green hillside covered in trees in various shades of vibrant chartreuse and dark green rises under a light, cloudy blue sky. The thick texture of the oil paint and canvas weave are visible throughout, giving the piece a palpable, expressive quality.

An intimate oil painting titled "Irish Wolfhound Pup" featuring a small, silver-grey puppy sitting against a dark, warm umber background. The pup's head is tilted playfully to the side, with large, dark, expressive eyes looking toward the viewer. The brushwork is textured and painterly, highlighting the soft texture of the fur and the gentle play of light on its coat.

An original oil painting titled "Curious Kitten." The artwork depicts a small, fluffy black kitten positioned center-frame against a muted, textured light gray background. The kitten is painted using rich, deep blacks and grays that convey a sense of dense fur. Its body appears slightly huddled, giving it a soft, rounded silhouette. The most striking feature is its captivating gaze: the eyes are painted in contrasting brilliant shades—a bright blue on the viewer's left and a vivid yellow-gold on the viewer's right. Visible brushstrokes give the entire piece an expressive texture, making the coat look dynamic. The canvas dimensions are 5 inches by 7 inches.

There's something wonderfully engaging about meeting a pair of eyes that have seen everything but are ready to know absolutely nothing. This little one stopped me in my tracks; its gaze is mesmerizing—a perfect blend of deep mystery and innocent wonder. The contrast between the velvety darkness of its coat and those intensely vibrant, multi-colored eyes truly brings this piece to life!

I focused on capturing the texture of that midnight fluff and the sudden spark of life when it looks up. It's a small painting (5" x 7"), but I hope it carries the weight of pure joy! 💫

An original oil painting rendered on canvas measuring 12 by 16 inches. The subject is Bantry Garda Station in Ireland, viewed from a street-level perspective across a wide, asphalt road that dominates the foreground. The main building features a distinctive curved roofline and light cream-colored facade. To the left, older, colorful commercial buildings line the street, contrasting with the station’s modern structure. Several vehicles are visible: a yellow car is parked closer to the station entrance, and a white sedan is parked beneath an overhang on the right side of the building. The sky is painted in soft, muted tones of blue and gray, suggesting either early morning or an overcast day.

I’m so pleased to share this piece—an oil study capturing the unique architectural essence of Bantry Garda Station. Sometimes, the most beautiful subjects are those woven into the everyday rhythm of a coastal town.

This painting wasn't just about rendering brick and mortar; it was about bottling a specific kind of light—the soft, atmospheric glow that defines the West Cork landscape. The contrast between the historic buildings lining the street and the sturdy lines of the station creates such a lovely dynamic composition. I paid close attention to the way the road stretches into the foreground, inviting you right down the lane with me!

This is an original oil on canvas (12" x 16") ready for its new home. If this piece speaks to your soul and brings back memories of your favorite spot, please send a DM!

A vertical oil painting on canvas board measuring 9" x 11", depicting a portrait of Staff Sargent Michael Collins at age 25. The subject is a young man with a lean face and a solemn, resolute expression, looking slightly off-camera to the right. He is dressed in a dark olive-green military uniform with gold buttons and a brown leather cross-belt. He wears a peaked military cap with a gold emblem. His arms are crossed firmly over his chest. The painting features rich, visible brushstrokes and a moody, chiaroscuro lighting effect, with the subject emerging from a dark, textured brown and ochre background. The color palette is dominated by deep forest greens, earth tones, and muted gold.

Witness the creation of a digital oil painting of a young Michael Collins at approximately 25 years of age, during his service as a Staff Sergeant. This timelapse captures the artistic process from the first brushstrokes to the finished portrait, bringing to life one of Ireland’s most influential historical figures.

Using a traditional oil painting style recreated digitally, the artwork highlights Collins’ youthful determination, military bearing, and the character that would later make him a key figure in Ireland’s struggle for independence.

Whether you're interested in Irish history, military history, portrait art, or digital painting techniques, this video offers a fascinating look at both the subject and the creative process.

An original oil painting on canvas titled "Wall Pennywort." The composition focuses on a small, green pennywort plant growing out of dark, textured stone crevices. The plant features rounded, succulent-like green leaves clustered at the base, with a single, vertical flowering spike rising from the center. The background consists of heavy, expressive brushstrokes representing grey and charcoal-colored rock surfaces with deep shadows. The oil paint is applied with visible texture, emphasizing the ruggedness of the stone against the soft, organic shapes of the greenery.

An original oil painting on canvas titled "Water Lily." The composition features a large, blooming water lily centered in the frame. The flower has pointed, layered petals in shades of soft white and pale pink, with a textured center of deep magenta and golden-yellow stamens. Surrounding the flower are large, vibrant green lily pads rendered with visible, expressive brushstrokes. The background shows hints of blue water peeking through the foliage. The texture of the canvas and the thick application of oil paint (impasto) are visible, giving the piece a rich, tactile quality.

A 1-minute and 17-second digital painting timelapse tracking the creation of a portrait of James Connolly, an Irish revolutionary.

The video begins with a light, geometric sketch of a man’s head and shoulders on a textured brown background. Step-by-step, digital oil brushstrokes are applied—first blocking out a dark, mottled background of greens and browns, followed by the deep blue-grey tones of his suit jacket.

The face is then built up with layers of flesh tones, capturing highlights on his forehead, cheek, and nose, while deep shadows define the left side of his face. The artist adds fine details, including a thick, prominent gray-brown mustache, a crisp white collar, and a patterned purple and gold tie. The final image is a rich, textured portrait of a middle-aged man with short thinning hair, looking thoughtfully off to the left. The background music is a gentle, atmospheric woodwind and synth melody.

A textured digital oil painting depicts wall pennywort plants sprouting from cracks between stacked gray stone slabs. Rounded green leaves in varying shades of lime, olive, and pale yellow cluster across the foreground, some tinged with soft pink. At the center, a single vertical flowering stem rises upward, creating a focal point against the horizontal stone layers. Thick painterly brushwork and rough pastel-like edges give the image an expressive, tactile quality, while the deep black background isolates the composition and enhances the earthy tones.

This original oil painting on canvas captures a somber, atmospheric roadside scene under a heavy, overcast sky. The palette is dominated by muted, earthy, and cool tones, applied with textured, expressive brushstrokes that emphasize the rain-drenched atmosphere. In the foreground, a dark, blue-grey body of water, perhaps a flooded ditch or roadside puddle, reflects the dim light, its surface disturbed by gestural paint. Above the water, a thick row of tall, messy grasses and weeds are rendered in a blend of murky ochres and rich, dark greens, with occasional glints of brighter, wet lime-yellow indicating distant, rain-soaked fields. Beyond this, a range of rolling, deep forest-green hills and a distant dark treeline recede into a haze of cool, light grey and faint blue-grey sky. The canvas texture is clearly visible beneath the layers of paint, adding to the rustic, moody quality of the landscape. The entire composition feels intimate, focusing on the dark, wet heart of the country road.

Dimensions:
7 x 5 inches

A close-up shot of delicate Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) blossoms in early spring. The cluster of small, five-petalled white flowers features prominent, spindly stamens with orange-brown tips.
The blossoms grow directly from a dark, textured woody branch, appearing before any leaves have emerged. The background is a soft, out-of-focus green and brown, highlighting the bright, intricate details of the white petals.

An impressionist oil painting of three white Calla Lilies (Easter Lilies) with bright yellow centers, rising from a cluster of lush green leaves. The background is a vibrant, textured mix of deep magenta, burgundy, and mossy green brushstrokes, suggesting a sun-dappled garden. The white petals are painted with thick, creamy strokes that give them a physical, sculptural presence against the dark, moody background.

An expressive digital oil painting of three white Calla Lilies (often referred to as Easter Lilies in this context) set against a vibrant, textured background.

The lilies are the focal point, rendered with thick, impasto-style brushstrokes in shades of creamy white and pale lavender, each featuring a prominent yellow-gold spadix at its center. The background is a lush, energetic mix of forest green stalks and leaves, interspersed with dabs of bright yellow and deep purple floral clusters.

The painting has a handmade, tactile feel with visible digital "canvas" edges that are frayed and dark, giving the piece a rustic, framed appearance. The overall lighting is bright and celebratory, emphasizing the spring-like color palette.

This digital painting presents a vibrant water lily as its central focal point, rendered with expressive, sweeping brushstrokes that give the piece a rich, tactile energy. The flower blooms in a striking gradient of deep magenta and soft pink, with outer petals tipped in crisp white that contrast sharply against the surrounding lush greenery. At its heart, a cluster of golden-yellow stamens adds a warm glow, while the broad lily pads beneath are depicted in varying shades of moss and lime green, featuring circular, impasto-like textures that suggest the movement of water. Consistent with your stylistic signature, the composition is framed by a distressed, frayed black border that lends the delicate botanical subject a rugged, organic edge.

This digital oil painting captures a serene, moonlit Bantry Bay with a heavy, impasto-style texture that emphasizes the movement of the brush. A luminous full moon anchors the composition, casting a shimmering vertical reflection across the deep indigo waters, while a smaller celestial body hangs quietly to the right. The distant, dark silhouette of land is punctuated by faint, flickering lights from a shoreline settlement, bridging the vastness of the sea and sky. Framed by a rugged, frayed black border that gives the piece an elemental, weathered feel, the artwork balances the tranquility of the nocturnal landscape with a raw, tactile energy.

A pair of silver Blue Room Mini Pod Speakers

An expressive oil painting portrait of a man with dark hair and a beard, showing a somber and intense facial expression. The brushstrokes are bold and textured, with a muted color palette of grays, browns, and reds, set against a neutral background.

When winter comes, the days get shorter. I loose the natural light so early in the day. I turn from painting to making music. Really that's just another form of painting. Now I get to combine my music with the digital painting. It has it's own light source and proves to be a lot of fun. Absolutely great for planning my next Oil painting.

This digital painting beautifully captures a Native Irish Black Honey Bee in the act of pollinating a vibrant yellow flower. The artwork uses textured brushstrokes and a warm, earthy palette to emphasize the bee's delicate wings, striped body, and fuzzy thorax, highlighting its natural elegance and vital role in the ecosystem. The background is softly blurred with muted tones, drawing focus to the bee and the flower, evoking a sense of quiet intimacy with nature.

This striking coastal photograph, taken at Gearhies on the Sheep’s Head Peninsula overlooking Bantry Bay, captures the raw beauty of Ireland’s rugged Atlantic shoreline. In the foreground, reddish-brown rocks—weathered and textured by the sea—frame a narrow tidal pool filled with clear water reflecting the sky’s hues. Dark seaweed clings to the rocks, adding contrast and life to the scene. Beyond, a wave crashes dramatically against the stone crevice, sending up a burst of white spray, while the tranquil expanse of Bantry Bay and the soft, rolling hills beyond rest under a cool, cloud-dappled sky. The image perfectly balances motion and stillness, power and serenity.

This oil painting depicts three chesnok garlic bulbs resting on a dark green surface against a vibrant green background. The artist uses expressive, visible brushstrokes and a bold color palette to create a striking contrast between the cool greens of the setting and the warm pinks, purples, and creamy whites of the garlic skins. Each bulb is rendered with a sense of volume and texture, capturing the natural curves, folds, and papery layers of the garlic. The play of light and shadow adds depth and realism while maintaining a painterly, impressionistic quality that highlights the beauty of this simple, everyday subject.

This photo shows a vibrant cluster of four mushrooms with strikingly colorful caps that blend fiery shades of red, orange, and yellow. Their glossy, wet surfaces gleam under natural light, creating a vivid contrast against the muted brown and green tones of the surrounding grass and pine needles. The mushrooms’ edges are fringed and irregular, giving them a slightly frayed, almost flame-like appearance. The bright, almost lacquered caps suggest they may have just been touched by rain, enhancing their rich coloration and making them stand out dramatically from the earthy forest floor.

This digital painting depicts three bulbs of Chesnok garlic resting on a flat surface, rendered with bold, expressive brushstrokes that give the image a textured, painterly quality. The garlic bulbs are painted in creamy whites and soft purples, with streaks of pink and touches of warm beige, highlighting their natural layered skins. The background transitions from warm earthy browns at the top to a darker, shadowy base near the bottom, creating a sense of depth and contrast that makes the garlic stand out. The overall effect is rustic and organic, capturing the character of the garlic with both realism and artistic flair.

This digital oil painting depicts a woman seated in a richly upholstered, red and gold armchair set against a dark, textured background that contrasts with the figure in the foreground. She wears a loose, light blue shirt, her bare legs extending forward with a relaxed posture, one leg crossed casually over the other. The brushwork is bold and expressive, with visible strokes that lend texture and movement to the fabric, skin, and wooden details of the chair. The dim background emphasizes the subject, making her appear illuminated and contemplative, as if caught in a moment of quiet introspection. The overall effect combines intimacy with painterly vibrancy, balancing realism with impressionistic flourishes.

This oil painting of Gearhies Pier in Bantry Bay captures a tranquil coastal landscape with a soft, atmospheric quality. The composition draws the eye from the sandy, seaweed-streaked foreground to the calm blue waters of the bay, where a narrow strip of land extends into the distance. Gentle green hills with scattered trees rise on the left, while faint, hazy mountains fade into the horizon on the right, giving a sense of depth and serenity. The sky dominates the canvas with its pale blues and subtle wisps of white and grey clouds, enhancing the open, airy feel of the scene. The muted palette and smooth brushstrokes evoke a quiet, contemplative mood, reflecting the peaceful beauty of Bantry Bay.

This digital painting features a mystical, abstract composition dominated by warm earthy tones of orange, gold, and purple. At the center is a symbolic geometric design reminiscent of the Tree of Life from Kabbalistic tradition, composed of interconnected circles and vertical and horizontal lines, with elements suggesting the golden ratio in its underlying geometry. Layered within and around the central form are overlapping triangular and circular patterns, accented by radiating white lines that give a sense of energy and vibration. Emerging boldly across the lower half of the image are the words *“FIRST THE WORD”* in white, dynamic lettering, curving along the structure as if woven into the symbolism. The textured, painterly background enhances the sense of depth and timelessness, evoking both sacred art and cosmic diagrams.

This photograph captures a man seated in an armchair beside a window, gazing contemplatively toward the light streaming in. The right side of his body and face are softly illuminated by the daylight, while the rest of his form recedes into deep shadow, creating a striking contrast between brightness and darkness. He wears a teal polo shirt, and his relaxed posture, with one arm resting on the chair and the other across his lap, conveys a sense of quiet introspection or waiting. The curtain and lace by the window diffuse the light, giving the scene a gentle, almost painterly atmosphere that emphasizes mood over detail.

This digital oil painting depicts a city street scene, combining the atmospheric background of Karen Offutt’s painting *Taxi* with a new study of a woman in the foreground. The woman, painted in bold, expressive strokes, strides confidently across the street carrying shopping bags in both hands. She wears a striking red skirt paired with a deep blue blouse and a long black coat, her short dark hair framing her face. The textured brushwork lends a lively, impressionistic quality, while the muted tones of the cityscape behind her—soft grays, browns, and hints of gold—contrast with her vibrant attire, making her the clear focal point of the composition. The piece captures both movement and urban energy, blending borrowed background with original portraiture into a seamless narrative.

$This photo captures a vibrant scattering of confetti floating in the shallow water of a fountain, illuminated by streaks of light that cut across the scene. The confetti pieces, mostly small squares, shimmer in a variety of colors—bright greens, yellows, blues, reds, and metallic tones—creating a festive, almost dreamlike effect. The sunlight refracts through the water, casting rippling patterns on the fountain floor beneath, while the reflective surfaces of the confetti amplify the play of color and light. The combination of motion, sparkle, and shadow gives the image a celebratory yet serene atmosphere, as if freezing a fleeting moment of joy.$