“Cliffs of Moher,” 2026

James Brown

“Cliffs of Moher,” 2026

Oil on canvas

Size: 49.8 x 39.5 cm

This painting originates from a snapshot I took during a bus trip to see the iconic Cliffs of Moher (Aillte an Mhothair) on the southwestern edge of the Burren region in County Clare, Ireland. While the initial inspiration was rooted in that view, I suspect there is more creative interpretation than strict topographical accuracy in this piece. 

My focus was not so much on the dramatic 200-metre drop from the cliff edge to the tumultuous waves below. Instead, I was captivated by the stark contrast between the unyielding, solid wall of the cliffs and the raw power of the waves crashing against it. There’s a dynamic tension—a power play—that mesmerized me and became the essence of this work.