Artist Statement

While preparing to write this artist bio, I sat at my laptop staring at the bright blankness of the screen, until it made me see white squares with every blink. I decided a cup of tea, too hot to drink, was necessary to get the creativity flowing and steady my pupils. I shuffled back to my desk magic potion cradled between my paint covered fingers. I itched the inside of my messy hair bun with the opposite end of a paintbrush and furrowed my brow. Pondering how I could describe myself as some sort of “extraordinary artistic being” that should capture your attention and hearts more than the rest.

After some time passed and I had thoroughly gotten side-tracked by some hilarious cat and dog videos, I realised that I can’t force myself to write something more extraordinary than the rest, much like I cannot force myself to paint. The colours must flow from the tip of my paintbrush at their own pace and in their own magical way and patience with the paint is one of the most important things.

I am Cara Bay, a fine artist originally from the middle of nowhere in beautiful Connemara Co. Galway. My husband and I later moved to county Mayo where again we choose to live far from the hustle and bustle of too many humans just the way we like it. I am self-taught because I never met a nice art teacher or someone who didn’t want to change my art into odd splatters and shapes. Although I do like to experiment from time to time, I still think I made the right decision to let my heart choose how my Art should be.

I work with acrylics because I enjoy the flexibility of the medium. I can go as thick or as thin as I want. It’s a paint that makes me happy, so happy it covers almost everything that I own. Including this laptop, the floors, the walls, my hair, the phone. I live in paint. Art has been my escape and my home since I was a very small child. It’s my natural habitat.

My work also carries the name "Black Stag Art Studio" as that's my studio name so you may notice a Stag logo or that name n some of my older works.

When it comes to my animal portraits I have been told I capture their personality, their feelings, in a way that is rare. It’s my superpower. If someone asks for a portrait of their pet I understand the importance of that special being to them and why they need me to make sure I capture them just right. They are members of peoples families and often times the best friend a person has.

I work hard to perfect my art and I have an understanding that I am blessed to be able to do anything like this at all. I mean, how wonderful, to be able to paint, want to paint and have others who want you to paint for them? I love nature and capturing the beauty that surrounds me and I want to share it with the world.

My morning, noon and night are dedicated to my works. It is not that I have mastered the art of painting, that, I feel is impossible. It’s that paint has taught me how to master pieces of myself. Thank you for reading.