My practice is defined in observational drawing and the discipline of Atelier-inspired Realism. Transitioning from a multidisciplinary background in design and digital media, I utilise a disciplined, analog approach to investigate the structural complexity of both built and organic environments. My work is defined by a commitment to technical precision, seeking to elevate everyday or overlooked subjects through rigorous draftsmanship and a focus on tonal depth.
Series: Constant Watch (2026-)
This series explores the architectural stasis of Nicosia International Airport, a modernist time capsule frozen within the UN Buffer Zone since 1974. Through the precise application of Nitram charcoal and matt graphite, the work renders the harsh, brutalist geometry of the terminal against the fragile, organic erosion of its 50-year abandonment. Central to the series is a decaying Seiko advertisement—a literal "constant watch"—where a joyful 1970s holiday scene is reclaimed by dust and nesting birds. By documenting this "non-space," the series reflects on the precarious nature of stability in a volatile global landscape.
Series: Botanical / Citrus (2025-2026)
In this series of larger-than-life graphite drawings, I interrogate the intricate geometry and inherent fragility of botanical forms. By magnifying the textures of citrus fruits—from pitted rinds to fibrous interiors—the work challenges the viewer to find monumental beauty in the mundane. These drawings apply the same level of observational rigor used in my architectural studies to the organic world, highlighting the vulnerability of the food chain and the transient nature of simple, everyday objects."
Grainne Flynn is a multidisciplinary artist based in Wicklow, specialising in atelier realism with a focus on high-fidelity drawing and painting. A graduate of the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) with a BDes (Hons), she also holds an MSc (Hons) in Interactive Digital Media from Trinity College Dublin and a Postgraduate Diploma in Film Production from TU Dublin.
In 2025, she made a decisive return to her core practice: analog fine art. To refine her technical expertise, she undertook advanced drawing training at Russborough House Atelier in 2025. She subsequently completed an intensive advanced atelier programme at the Enniskerry Atelier under American artist Will Nathans in May 2026. She now dedicates her time to her own studio, honing her skills in observational drawing. Her work leverages her extensive background in visual media to bring a uniquely accomplished perspective to traditional draughtsmanship.
Selected Exhibitions (2025–2026):
RHA Annual Exhibition (196th Edition), Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin (2026)
Cairde Visual Arts Exhibition, Hamilton Gallery, Sligo (2026)
Bloom Botanical Exhibition, Dublin (2026)
Claregalway Castle Botanical Exhibition, Co. Galway (2026)
Art in the Ballroom, Powerscourt Estate, Co. Wicklow (2026)
Society of Graphic Fine Art (SGFA) Annual Open Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London (2025 & 2026)
Selected Workshops & Professional Development:
Selected Workshops & Professional Development (2025–2026): with Eamon Colman (Aosdána), David Hedderman, Zsolt Basti, Salvatore of Lucan, Ciara Roche, Michael Wann, Dave West, David Shevlino, and Melissa O’Donnell.
