Martin Stone is a celebrated painter, whose oil on canvas works are inspired by the nature of his adopted Ireland and the beauty discovered in his home of west cork. 


I've been fascinated by Martin Stone's work since I first attended the opening of an exhibition of his work in Skibbereen. Whilst I pondered and worked out my sums and if I had enough to buy the painting of a sail boat exiting the harbour, the gallery owner reached past me and applied a red dot next to the painting. I determined to go for his larger painting, with the sail boat centrepiece and hang the bank balance, but as I descended the stairs found this too had a red dot applied and the same red dot appeared like a rash against every piece of work I coveted. I was always a step too late.

I'd received a picture of one of Martin's painting on the postcard invitation to the opening of his show. I'd looked up the internet and viewed the others, but you have to view the pieces first hand to understand the fascination. Stone's work is a mixture of figurative, impressionist and expressionist and it is the combination of figurative and expressionist, that combines to make the work impressionist.

How does he with brush strokes or palate knife, convey a mother's love of her child as they sit side by side in a chair? The detail on the mother's face is sketchy to say the least, but the expression is undeniable. There's the passion of the pianist, the concentration of the fiddle player and Stone conveys this emotion in the haunch of a shoulder, the frown on a forehead.

I am delighed to say that I now have the pleasure of owning one piece of Stone's work, a vase of wild daisies, which in themselves are fascinating. Stone has almost abstractly conveyed their unruly beauty again in his unique technique, a combination of figurative, expressionist and impressionist.

I hope in the future to be Stone-d some more but in the meantime i enjoy my vase of daisies as compensation for the boats that sailed away in the breeze.

Carol Gilbert 
29.04.09 
Journalist for the Southern Star/Writer

Martin Stone, now working in Skibbereen, began painting in school and had his first professional commission at 15. For many years he made a living as a mural painter and working as a public artist. His work is characterized by sensitive handling of figurative subject matter with expressionist qualities of colour, viewpoints and painterly qualities; primarily he is an intuitive painter. He brilliantly conjures up the Irish landscape without ever resorting to pastiche.

Matthew Wellard Gallery Below

martin stone is emerging as an artist of international acclaim who has the ability to transform the ordinary into extraordinary works of art.  he is an artist whose paintings are much sought after and they can be found in international collections. His affinity with paint is evident in the way he has captured the individuality and magical light and essence of his subjects. 

I Just bought 2 of your paintings to day in innishannon, very good delighted with them—farmer dreaming with pint and a long one of curraghs being launched both really great, still thinking about a landscape with blue mountains in background, let me know about any exhibitions or any paintings u feel are exceptional, your style is very individual and very recognisable Tony McGuinness

Martin; Many thanks for delivery of the painting. It is truly beautiful. We’ll be keeping an eye on your site in the future.

 Kind Regards

Richella