Peter F Monaghan
Fine Artist
Story of an Artist
Peter F Monaghan
My name is Peter Monaghan, and I am a self-taught fine artist of contemporary realism based in the heart of the English Lake District. Trained as a forester and building surveyor. I work in both oil and pastel, pastel being the medium used in the sketches for the finished oil on board paintings. I paint what interests me and am not bound by subject, it is the story or the feeling behind the subject that inspires my work. Member of the Lake Artists SocietyIf you are interested in purchasing a finished painting, please see my contact details.
Peter F Monaghan
Glass worker No.3, Cumbria Crystal, Ulverston, December 2019This is the final painting showing stages in the production of crystal glass in Ulverston, Cumbria. The glass worker Andy is working on a glass. These paintings are part of the series showing craftspeople of Cumbria in their work environment. The Blacksmith is the first in the series.
Oil on board 685mm x 915mm
The Blacksmith, Low Newton, Cumbria
Shortlisted for the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition 2018.
Lake Artists Society Summer Exhibition 2018 prizewinner.
John Law, a master blacksmith, in his working environment. He was very particular that I recorded his tools correctly.
Oil on board, 910mm x 690mm
Private collection, UK
Peter F Monaghan
Hardy Speckle-faced sheep, on a frosty morning, Clee Hill Common, Shropshire
The farmer who owns these sheep was surprised to be given a limited edition print. My daughter and her family know the farmer, and her children help with lambing.
Oil on board 400mm x 400mm
Private collection in Bratislava
Peter F Monaghan
Testing the sands, Kents Bank, Cumbria
This is an area of moving quicksand, where the cockle pickers work. Its interesting as it shows the isolation of man within the vast area of Morecambe Bay. The colours are always changing with the sea state and cloud formations
Oil on board 355mm x 280mm
Peter F Monaghan
Tree on limestone scree, Whitbarrow, Cumbria
Exhibited at The Lake Artists Society Summer Exhibition 2018
I often wonder at the beauty of the smaller landscapes within the larger views. This painting shows the contrast with jumbled scree, the mist lifting in the background and the way plants can find a foothold in the most harsh terrain
Oil on board 600mm x 600mm
Peter F Monaghan
The late Harold Welch, aged 98, holding his great, great, grand niece
The painting is called 'Holding onto life', a play on words.
Harold served as stretcher bearer in the First World War at the Somme and experienced the horrors of no-man's land. I always wonder what he was thinking while holding this innocent child.
Private collection, UK
Oil on board 760mm x 610mm
Peter F Monaghan
Showers over Sandside, Cumbria
An area of sea and hills creates great cloud formations. The energy, colours and movement in clouds always leave me wanting to keep looking.
Oil on board 610mm x 610mm
Peter F Monaghan
Kents Bank, Cumbria
Exhibited at the Lake Artists Summer Exhibition 2019
Late afternoon in November.
The sea and clouds were almost like polished steel, with a chill in the breeze coming off the sands.
Oil on board 915mm x 685mm
Peter F Monaghan
Snail's pace
Found an old ceramic milk bottle in the woods. Then observed a snail on its way up the side, while the bottle was drying outside my studio. Had to record the event and fast ascent.
Framed pastel, two images, 220mm x 50mm, frame 440mm x 325mm oak
Peter F Monaghan
Blue bottle with fruit
A wet Cumbrian day with the sound of rain bouncing off my studio roof. Time for a still life. I wanted to work with different materials and to create a pleasing balance. This is a pastel sketch drawing for an oil. I love the depth of colour you can get with soft pastels
Framed pastel, image 325mm x 290mm, frame 555mm x 505mm oak
Peter F Monaghan
Stone, wood and ceramic
Again working with different materials and seeing how the light reacts with the changing surfaces. Collected some empty snail shells from under the hedge as an added interest.
Framed pastel, image 340mm x 220mm, frame 565mm x 430mm oak
Peter F Monaghan
Scarlet elf cup
While walking the dogs in the woods my eye caught a flash of red within some rotting oak branches at ground level. On closer inspection the blue sky was being reflected in the dew collected within the scarlet elf cup. Nature has a wonderful way of surprising you with its colours and textures.
Framed pastel, image 380mm x 140mm, frame 450mm x 170mm oak
Peter F Monaghan
Little Owl
A friend of mine wanted to show me a number of very old oak trees that had been killed off by sea water on the coast.
While looking at the fantastic bark patterns, I became aware we were being watched by a cross Little Owl.
Framed pastel approximately 200mm x 300mm
Private collection, UK
Peter F Monaghan
The old canal boatman
I carry a sketch book with me sometimes and this is a pencil sketch of a canal boatman in Cheshire. I tried to sketch his wife but she kept throwing stones at me, so I had to back off. They lived on their canal boat.
Framed pencil sketch approximately 130mm x 130mm
Private collection, UK
Peter F Monaghan
Clyde Steam Puffer
The Clyde Puffer boats supplied the islands around the west coat of Scotland. They would beach at high tide and unload or load cargo between the tides.
Oil on board 600mm x 600mm
Private collection, Canada
Peter F Monaghan
Young girl in a hat
The Shropshire hills command great views of Wales and the midland counties. Here we have a young girl totally absorbed by the view, in a world of her own. Imagination is such a treat at that age.
Oil on board 760mm x 610mm
Peter F Monaghan
Glass worker No.1, Cumbria Crystal, Ulverston, April 2019
This is the first of three paintings showing stages in the production of crystal glass in Ulverston, Cumbria. The glass worker is working on a decanter. These paintings are part of the series showing craftspeople of Cumbria in their work environment. The Blacksmith is the first in the series.
Private collection, UK
Oil on board 610mm x 610mm
Peter F Monaghan
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Glass worker No.2, Cumbria Crystal, Ulverston, July 2019
Castlegate House Gallery joint award for the most outstanding piece featured in the Lake Artists Summer Exhibition, 2019
This is the second of three paintings showing stages in the production of crystal glass in Ulverston, Cumbria. The glass worker is working on a goblet. These paintings are part of the series showing craftspeople of Cumbria in their work environment. The Blacksmith is the first in the series.
Private collection, UK
Oil on board 685mm x 915mm
Peter F Monaghan
Damson Blossom and Bee, October 2019
A painting for my wife. Damson trees grow wild in this area of south Cumbria. In the early summer there is an open day for the public, "Damson Day", to show off the wonderful sight of hundreds of damson trees in full blossom lining the valley sides. A great time for the bees.
Private collection, UK
Oil on board 410mm x 305mm
Peter F Monaghan
Evening shower clouds over Yewbarrow Cumbria, October 2018
A painting for my wife. She wouldn't allow me to sell it. The cloud formations around the Cumbrian fells can be very dramatic as the weather fronts come in off the Irish Sea and hit the fells
Private collection, UK
Oil on board 340mm x 440mm
Peter F Monaghan
Christmas card design, December 2019
We always try to design or make our own Christmas cards. This was painted fast using items from the kitchen and garden
Private collection, UK
Oil on canvas 300mm x 410mm
Peter F Monaghan
Garlic, December 2019
My wife grows garlic in the garden at home. When harvested it is hung up to dry in the utility room. It creates an interesting contrast of colour and shadow against the old plastered wall as the light changes from the window.
Private collection, Netherlands
Oil on canvas 610mm x 450mm
Peter F Monaghan
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Iron Man, February 2020
Back to one of my industrial paintings. I spent a few hours watching the metal casting process at Manor Foundry, Ilkeston, Derby.
The foundry worker was waiting for the others to finish casting and re-fill the crucible from this furnace. I just loved the relaxed pose of Karl Stokes.
Finalist for the Visual Art Open Prize 2021
Listed for the Jacksons Painting Prize 2021
Oil on board 1220mm x 910mm
Peter F Monaghan
Jeremy Hall, March 2020
Peter Hall and Sons Limited is based in Staveley, Cumbria.
Jeremy Hall is a furniture maker, restorer and designer, shown here working at his bench.
It is interesting how all craftsmen hang onto their favourite tools and odds and ends.
Private collection, UK
Oil on board 915mm x 690mm
Peter F Monaghan
Terriercotta, April 2020
Errington Reay and Co. Ltd
Bardon Mill, Hexham, Northumberland.
Founded in 1878, the last commercial pottery producing salt glaze pottery.
The painting shows cylindrical pots being guarded by the workshop terrier Max. The combination just had to be painted.
Listed for the Jacksons Painting Prize 2021
Exhibited at the Lake Artists Summer Exhibition 2021
Oil on board 915mm x 690mm
Peter F Monaghan
Primrose, May 2020
The start of spring, wild primrose growing in the wood behind my studio.
Private collection, Japan
Oil on canvas 200mm x 200mm
Peter F Monaghan
Coniston in cloud, July 2020.
Shower clouds moving over the Coniston fells. Time to make a move for home.
Private collection, UK
Oil on board 915mm x 610mm
Peter F Monaghan
Oak Howe, Langdale, Cumbria. July 2020
Oak Howe is the house at the bottom left of the painting. This is where my children were brought up. A great place to grow up, lots of dens in the rock outcrops around the house.
Private collection, UK
Oil on board 1220mm x 910mm
Peter F Monaghan
Still life, reflection July 2020
In the middle of the pandemic, having to find things in the house to paint as we are locked down. I think this sums up whats important at the moment. Family, a good book, good food, drink and staying safe.
Private collection, UK
Oil on board 407mm x 305mm
Peter F Monaghan
Sweetbriar and Ladybirds. August 2020
Nature has a way of calming the mind during difficult times. This sweetbriar grows just outside my studio and always produces a fine display of flowers. This year the ladybirds seemed to be attracted to it, probably after aphids.
Private collection, UK
Oil on board 508mm x 406mm
Peter F Monaghan
Blea Tarn and Langdale Pikes. August 2020
A nice quiet walk after a rainy morning. The sun casting patches of light in the Langdale valley. A good way to get your mind back in some sort of sense at this time.
Private collection, UK
Oil on board 1220mm x 910mm
Peter F Monaghan
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Ladybirds. February 2021
A small group of ladybirds sheltering on a tree behind my studio. Cold conditions and snow due later.
Oil on board 505mm x 405mm
Peter F Monaghan
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Iron men, May 2021
Manor Foundry, Ilkeston, Derby.
The foundry workers, working as a team pouring molten iron from the furness. It was interesting to see how they were looking after each others safety at all times.
Exhibited at the Lake Artists Summer Exhibition 2021
Oil on board 915mm x 615mm
Peter F Monaghan
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Time is running out, August 2021
Just a statement of fact.
Oil on board 915mm x 615mm
Peter F Monaghan
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Abbeyhorn, number 1, December 2021
Abbeyhorn Ltd, Holme Mills, Carnforth, Cumbria. Founded in 1749 in Worcestershire. Relocated to Kendal in 1932.
The series of three paintings shows the traditional methods and machinery used to cut, saw, mould and polish the horns to create their unique products.
I have tried to depict the equally unique characters involved. Jordan Taylor
Number 1, cutting and sawing the horn
Private collection, UK
Oil on board 61cm x 61cm
Peter F Monaghan
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Abbeyhorn, number 2, January 2022
Abbeyhorn Ltd, Holme Mills, Carnforth, Cumbria. Founded in 1749 in Worcestershire. Relocated to Kendal in 1932.
The series of three paintings shows the traditional methods and machinery used to cut, saw, mould and polish the horns to create their unique products.
I have tried to depict the equally unique characters involved. Paul Cleasby
Number 2, Heating and moulding the horn
Private collection, UK
Oil on board 61cm x 61cm
Peter F Monaghan
Abbeyhorn, number 3, February 2022
Abbeyhorn Ltd, Holme Mills, Carnforth, Cumbria. Founded in 1749 in Worcestershire. Relocated to Kendal in 1932.
The series of three paintings shows the traditional methods and machinery used to cut, saw, mould and polish the horns to create their unique products.
I have tried to depict the equally unique characters involved. Sebastian Couch
Number 3, Polishing the horn
Private collection, UK
Oil on board 61cm x 61cm
Peter F Monaghan
Over Staveley, Cumbria, May 2022
Spotted this view while out for a walk with my wife. I love the combination of the fells, drystone walls and trees.
Oil on board 70cm x 50cm
Peter F Monaghan
Roanhead, Cumbria, June 2022
Children playing on the sands as the tide just starts to turn. A clear day on the Cumbrian coast with the fells in the background.
Private collection, UK
Oil on board 61cm x 45.5cm
Peter F Monaghan
Meeting up, August 2022
Friends enjoying the spectacular views around the northwest of Scotland
Private collection, Netherlands
Oil on board 61cm x 45.5cm
Peter F Monaghan
Do not disturb, September 2022
Tom the cat, looking a bit grumpy having been asleep on the top of the wall in the sunshine
Private collection, Prague
Oil on board 21cm x 30cm
Peter F Monaghan
Goody Bridge Cottage, Grasmere. February 2023
A lovely walk with my wife up into the Easdale valley
Oil on board 61cm x 61cm
Peter F Monaghan
Misty morning, Shropshire.
May 2023
Lake Artists Summer Exhibition 2023
Oil on board 122cm x 81cm
Peter F Monaghan
Gummers How, Windermere.
June 2023
Cattle gracing on the open fell.
Lake Artists Summer Exhibition 2023
Oil on board 33cm x 38.5cm
Peter F Monaghan
Gummers How, Windermere.
June 2023
Cow gracing on the open fell.
Lake Artists Summer Exhibition 2023
Oil on board 33cm x 38.5cm
Peter F Monaghan
