HUGH O'NEILL (NORTHERN IRISH, B.1959), IRISH COASTAL SCENE, signed l.r; oil on canvas, 74.5cm x 100cm; 29 1/4in x 39 1/2in, Hugh O'Neill was born in Belfast, in Northern Ireland, in 1959. He began drawing and painting at an early age and by the age of ten he was not only an accomplished artist but also a gifted musician, teaching himself four different musical instruments. The member of a working-class family of 8, he was expected to earn a living as soon as possible and, at the age of 17, he obtained a job as a government civil servant. He remained only a few years in the dreary role of Clerical Officer before he decided to pursue his artistic passions and was accepted onto the Honours Fine Art Degree course at the University of Ulster in Belfast. On completing his degree he found opportunities to exhibit his artwork in and around Belfast during the time of the troubles to be fairly scarce and he made a living instead travelling with his band. However, art was always his primary focus and he took the decision to move to the United States, where the opportunities for artists were far greater. He has now exhibited at prestigious galleries in New York, Washington DC and Palm Beach. Further details on the artist can be found http://oneillgalleries.com/