About me

I've always enjoyed drawing, but it was only around ten years ago that I got a real urge to paint something. I rented a small studio in the Arena building on Duke Street and set to work making a mess with watered down house paints, hammerite, sandpaper, car paints and tile grout. The resulting abstracts were better than I'd expected, instantly giving me the feeling of the aged, time-worn objects that I was so desperate to recreate, and I was hooked.

I managed to get some commissions, which helped a lot, and I continued painting until I rediscovered my love of drawing and writing stories. Since then I've had regular exhibitions, showcasing the different sides of my interest in art. In addition to my formal exhibitions I have shown work in cafés and bars in Liverpool, including The Quarter Café on Falkner Street. My paintings are also in private collections in London, Italy and New York.

info@roymccarthy.com

September 2009:

Le Boulevard de Banni

At: Common, Edge Street, Manchester

Another joint show with Zoë Byrne. For this exhibition we dumped the canvas and paper, instead painting directly on to the walls of this bar in Manchester's Northern Quarter.

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August 2009:

The Lost Property Office

At: The Art of Tea, Manchester

Joint exhibition with photographer Zoë Byrne.

BBC feature on The Lost Property Office »
     

February 2009:

The Master of Complications

At: The Art of Tea, Manchester

Joint exhibition with photographer Zoë Byrne.

Read about The Master of Complications »

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Order the book »
     

October 2008

The Master of Complications

At: Almiro Gallery, Waterloo, Liverpool

Joint exhibition and book launch with photographer Zoë Byrne. A bit of a departure from my usual style, and my first venture into a more installation-based show.

Read about The Master of Complications »

Buy prints and merchandise »

Order the book »
     

September 2007

Last Stand

At: Blackburne House, Liverpool

Photographs and abstract paintings reflecting the changing nature of Liverpool's Jamaica Street area.
     

July 2007

The Road to Rhyl

At: Almiro Gallery, Waterloo, Liverpool

Photography and paintings focusing on a journey through the industrial areas of North Wales. Cheerful, I know.

Featured on Art in Liverpool »
     

March 2006

Solo Show

At: Almiro Gallery, Waterloo, Liverpool

My first solo show. It went very well and I got a few commissions from it. Gave me a lot of confidence in my work.
     

Oct. 2005

Group Show

At: Almiro Gallery, Waterloo, Liverpool

I had a couple of paintings in the opening show for our gallery in Waterloo.

Read the review »
     

July 2004

Joint Show

At: The Kif, Parr Street, Liverpool

Joint exhibition with one of my oldest friends, the brilliant abstract artist Eric Orme.

Read the review »