top of page
kents bank 2019_edited-1.jpg

Peter F Monaghan
Fine Artist

IMG_20190714_101509954_HDR (2).jpg

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 Society​If you are interested in purchasing a finished painting, please see my contact details.

Peter F Monaghan

​Glass worker No.3, Cumbria Crystal, Ulverston, December 2019​This 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 ​​​​

Blacksmith 2018.jpg

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

Ludlow sheep.jpg

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

1 001.jpg

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

whitbarrow tree 2018.jpg

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

uncle harald web.jpg

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

sandside web.jpg

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 2019_edited-1.jpg

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

snails.jpg

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 and fruit.jpg

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 snails.jpg

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.jpg

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

owl.jpg

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

canal man.jpg

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

puffer.jpg

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

IMG_0408.jpg

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

glassworker1.jpg

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

glassworker(2)2019.jpg

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

Elaines flowers and bee.jpg

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 web.jpg

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

CCweb.jpg

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 web.jpg

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

ironman(1).jpg

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

jh feb2020 painting.jpg

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

terrier-cotta.jpg

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 may20.jpg

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.jpg

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

site langdale.jpg

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

apple and bookSL.jpg

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

wild roseJ.jpg

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

bleatarn.jpg

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

ladybirds (w).jpg

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

iron men(F).jpg

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

pfmonaghan-tiimeisrunningout(27x36).jpg

Time is running out, August 2021

Just a statement of fact.


Oil on board 915mm x 615mm 


Peter F Monaghan

Abbeyhorn(1).jpg

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

Abbeyhorn(2).jpg

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

Staveley3jpg.jpg

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

overstaveley.jpg

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 finished painting 2022.jpg

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

euans painting.jpf

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

danas picture.jpf

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

easdale 2023 finished painting.jpf

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

shropshire mist copy.jpg

Misty morning, Shropshire.

May 2023

Lake Artists Summer Exhibition 2023

Oil on board 122cm x 81cm

 

Peter F Monaghan

gummers how 2-pfmonaghan_edited.jpg

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 1-pfmonaghan.jpg

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

Misty Morning 1 Oil on Board 30.5cm x 40.5cm 16x12.jpg

Peter F Monaghan

Misty morning 1, Clee Hill

Shropshire

 

Oil on board 30.5cm x 40.5cm

 

The Falconer Oil on Board 51cm x 60.5cm.jpg

Peter F Monaghan

The Falconer, Witherslack, Cumbria

 April 2024 

 

Oil on board 51cm x 60.5cm

 

Misty Morning 2 Oil on Board 30.5cm x 40.5cm 16x12.jpg

Peter F Monaghan

Misty morning 2, Clee Hill.

Shropshire

May 2024 

 

Oil on board 30.5cm x 40.5cm

 

Wet Paintbrushes

Contact Me

Cumbria, UK

+44 (0) 15395 52547

Thanks for submitting!

bottom of page