The Doorway Gallery, one of Ireland’s most renowned and respected commercial art spaces, has earned its reputation through an unwavering commitment to showcasing both emerging and established artists. In collaboration with GCN, the gallery is offering one lucky reader the exciting opportunity to win a stunning artwork by one of its featured artists, Shane Johnson.

Shane, who grew up along the scenic shores of Cork Harbour, has been working as a full-time artist since the late 1990s. Over the years, he has developed a distinct and instantly recognisable style that blends quirky illustration with vibrant colour palettes and a delightfully playful sense of humour. His paintings radiate warmth and vitality, breathing life into both real and imagined places, whether they capture the charm of Ireland’s coastal villages, the serenity of rural landscapes, or the bustling energy of urban streets.

We caught up with Shane Johnson to learn more about his creative journey, his inspirations, and the process behind his captivating works of art.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself? How did you start as an artist?

Becoming an artist was probably inevitable, as I spent my childhood painting prolifically in my artist mother’s studio. After leaving school I went to the Crawford School of Art in Cork, but then opted for what I thought was the “sensible” option of Visual Communications at the then College of Marketing and Design in Dublin. After a few years of commercial illustration and even a brief spell in advertising, I tried selling some original paintings in the illustrative style I had developed and by the late 1990s, I was working solely as an artist.

What inspires you, and what are the main things you focus on with your art?

My original inspirations were the indented coastline, undulating landscape, and brightly painted towns and villages of West Cork, perfect for depicting in my quirky and highly colourful style. As Dublin was by then my home, I also set about looking for galleries to sell my work there, and had no problem at all finding inspiration in its coastline and urban scenes too. Years later, both these themes and more continue to inspire. What I focus on is, initially, composition – fitting a chosen scene into whatever shape a canvas is (even if in reality it shouldn’t fit at all) and turning it literally upside down if necessary. I then concentrate on detail and colour. I build up layers of colour until the intensity is really strong, and in an urban scene in particular, the amount of detail in all of the life a scene contains can get me quite carried away.

What was the inspiration behind the piece “Full Moon at Fade Street”?

“Full Moon on Fade Street” is one of a series of little scenes I painted of locations in and around the corner of Dublin City centre where I’m living at the moment. The pub, partially obscured by trees (which I love in summer), is one of many favourites. I have lots of others on my to-do list, not least The George, Panti Bar and maybe even some nostalgia from my own memories of the 1980s and 1990s too.

Can you tell us more about your upcoming show?

Earlier this year, while working on some new pieces for the Doorway Gallery, I was hopeful of a good summer this year and revisited some swimming themes I had touched on many years ago… the Forty Foot and others. For this show, I decided to build on the summer theme, while diverging from the sea to include some street scenes. Summer in Dublin is wonderfully inspiring, and I have painted just a few of the many ideas that have popped into my head…

If you would like to see Shane Johnson’s solo exhibition, you can find his art on display from October 20 to 26 at The Doorway Gallery. GCN readers also have the chance to win the gorgeous “Full Moon on Fade Street” (see photo below).

To be in with a chance of winning the painting by Shane Johnson, answer the following question.

What Dublin street is the painting named after?

The competition closes at midnight on Friday, September 26, 2025. Winners will be contacted directly and shared on social media.

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