To date Mary J. Leen has been working as a professional artist for over 12 years. In this time she successfully completed many significant public art installations. Her work can be described as photo-realistic with notes of romantic symbolism imbued with traditional flair. She works on her own original artwork and also designs bespoke work for clients. She has worked extensively for schools on various one percent for art and other educational projects around Ireland. Her work is also in many private collections and can be seen in castles hotels, churches and stately homes. She has exhibited her work in Ireland, UK, Korea and New York. Including Cork Opera House, The National Gallery, The British Museum, The Mansion House, Griffith College and The Copper House Gallery to mention but a few.

Receiving national media attention in print, TV and radio, she featured on RTE’s Nationwide television programme twice, and was on various radio stations discussing her art work, including Cork’s 96 fm, West Limerick 102 and Radio Kerry.

Jameson Whiskey recognized the unique talents of Mary J. when they commissioned her to create a bespoke piece for an international ad campaign. She received Kerry business woman of the year two years running and she continues to attract national media coverage with her art work. Including being published in the Gathering book of notable Irish artist of our time. Her work is receiving international attention from collectors and architects.

Artists Mission Statement

“My passion in life is making art. Coming from a background of a Degree in Fine art and Masters in Professional Design Practice. I am a stained glass artist but I combine my painting, sculpture and design skills to create unique, artworks in glass. On basic level my work could be described as a collaboration between client and artist but there is much more going on.
Inspired by the land, people, nature, mythology, symbolism, religious iconography, and spirituality. I admire artists such as Caravaggio and Harry Clarke.

I am deeply influenced by the magical nature of stained glass and the surreal projections that appear in the shadows of light produced by stained glass. I physically work with glass but it is this dance of light that is produced when the sunlight pours through the glass and onto the wall or floor that captures me.  I work with this in mind. This beautiful dance with light, ever changing, mystical in nature. Rich bejeweled tapestries draping the darkness of the space with illumination invokes in me an inexplicable sense of wonder and awe. I am fascinated with the alchemical nature of light and colour and the process of bringing beauty to light, literally and physically. 

In my art I strive to create work that is loved and will create a lasting impression. Like a lotus flower opening up and revealing its mysteries to the viewer when the time is right.”