About

Francis O’Toole is a London and Dublin-based artist, who has studied in Florence, Italy.

At 17 Francis was involved in an industrial accident that very nearly claimed his life. After spending over a year in hospital and rehabilitation, Francis had a number of years confused about what path to take in life, One day out of concern for her son Francis’ mother suggested he try painting, at first Francis believe this to be silly, but slowly began to enjoy this activity. Initially working from his mind, After his father suggested he show some of his work at an exhibition around Stephens Green in Dublin, Francis’s work began to receive a lot of attention and he entered a gallery Greystones , After this, there was some demand for his work, As Francis had never studied Art , He worked at a slow pace and was not satisfied with the results, It is at this time he then decided to study classical art techniques in Florence, Italy. After five years of intermittent study in Florence Italy and also studying with master artist Odd nerdrum in Norway for a period of time, Francis returned to Dublin/London where he is working full time as an artist and has gained a great amount of attention within the Art world, collected and exhibiting internationally also winning a number of highly recognized awards.

Sol Art gallery

contact: solartireland@gmail.com

francis.otoole@gmail.com

Prizes :

2017 The One world together a gold medal

2016 Conor prize for best figurative work in any media, Royal Ulster academy.

2014 E.S.B Sean Keating Award for outstanding painting. http://www.rhagallery.ie/

2013 The L. Cornelissen & Son award at the Royal Institute of Oil painters London. Showing at the Mall Gallery, London

2012 R.U.A ART COLLECTOR’S PRIZE

2011 The Don Niccolò d’Ardia Caracciolo RHA Medal and Award

2010 The Don Niccolò d’Ardia Caracciolo RHA Medal and Award

2008/2009 Davy‘s Portrait Award

2010 ANGEL ACADEMY OF ART FLORENCE ITALY BEST OF SHOW

Exhibitions and Shows:

2022 192nd RHA Annual Exhibition

2019 VUE Contemporary Art Fair at the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA)

2019 Art Source at the R.D.S

2019 Barcelona Spain

2019 Fresh Air Art fair, Ascot, U.k

2019 Antiques and Art collectors fair R.D.S Dublin 4

2018 Bond street London realism alive show

2018 Ireland and u.k National contemporary Art fair ,VUE, R. H. A .

2018 Timeless, R.D.S Antiques, and Art collectors exhibition.

2018 HANG TOUGH GALLERY Grand opening exhibition.

2018 Take Heart. A pop up Art exhibition in aid of the Dublin rape crisis centre.

2017 Barcelona ,Spain

2017 Sol Art gallery new gallery opening show

2017 No fixed abode Homeless fundraiser at The Copperhouse gallery for the Peter McVerry Trust,

2017 Green gallery.

2016 R.D.S Art show Dublin .

2016 Art Brussels .

2016 Ireland and u.k National contemporary Art fair ,VUE, Royal Hibernian Academy .

2016 Royal Ulster Academy Annual exhibition .

2015 In Profile: Sell out Gallery exhibition

2015 Royal Ulster Academy Annual Show

2015 Royal Hibernian Academy Annual show

2014 Royal Hibernian Academy Annual show

2013 Mall Galleries -London, England

2013 Exhibited in the Oriel Gallery – Dublin, Ireland

2012 R.U.A show – Belfast, Northern Ireland

2012 Sol Art Gallery winter show – Dublin, Ireland

2012 R.D.S Arts and Antiques show – Dublin, Ireland

2011 R.D.S. Arts and antique show – Dublin, Ireland

2010 Villa Bardini, Florence – Annigoni’s Legacy Group Show

2010 R.D.S. Art and Antiques show – Dublin, Ireland

2009 Angel Academy Exhibition – Florence, Italy

2008 / 2009 Selected for the DAVY portrait Awards (Belfast/Dublin)

2008 Contemporary Irish Art, Orlando Festival of the Masters – Orlando, Florida, U.S.A.

2008 R.H.A (Dublin) selected to exhibit at members Annual Group show

2008 Angel Academy Exhibition –Florence, Italy

2008 Cherrylane Fine Arts – Summer show/Winter (Dublin)

2008 Afferato l’IDEA Chiesa St James – Florence, Italy

2008 Invited to exhibit works alongside World famous artist Odd Nerdrum – Stavern, Norway

2007 Jack Barclay Bentley, Berkeley Square, London – 10th Year Anniversary of the Angel Academy of Art

2007 Cherrylane Fine Arts – Summer / Winter shows
Cherrylane Fine Arts – Art Fair, Dublin

2006 Academy Exhibition – Florence, Italy

2006 Cherrylane Fine Arts, Co.Wicklow -Summer /Winter

Cherrylane Fine Arts, Co.Wicklow – Art Fair Dublin

2005 Cherrylane Fine Arts, Co.Wicklow – Summer / Winter

Cherrylane Fine Arts, Co.Wicklow – Art Fair, Dublin

2004 Cherrylane Fine Arts, Co.Wicklow -Summer / Winter

27 thoughts on “About”

March 21, 2012 at 16:11 Reply
Neil Condron says:

A very humble introduction to one of Ireland’s most talented young artists. For those of you who are unfamiliar with his work – watch this space!

Best of luck Francis with the blog I’ll be a keen follower.
April 9, 2012 at 10:18 Reply
franciso2l says:

thanks Neil..:)
May 24, 2012 at 09:53 Reply
monochromejunkie says:

Pleasure to meet you, Francisco. Interesting bio! Sounds like we have a few things in common. Impressive work too. Teresa is my favourite, though I think Katrina is your best, technically speaking. Feel free to stop by anytime, and I wish you much success in your upcoming show. xo -Birgitta
May 24, 2012 at 15:28 Reply
youngkingdom says:

Be-a-u-tiful!! Where did you learn all this?
1. July 1, 2012 at 09:01 Reply
  franciso2l says:
  
  hi,i travel over from dublin to florence italy to study in an academy on and off for four year ,i would go over study ,then return home work for a while ,then return again
May 30, 2012 at 05:36 Reply
fiztrainer says:

What a remarkable young man you are! It was wonderful reading this and learning a bit about you. I am a devoted follower … 😀
1. July 1, 2012 at 09:01 Reply
  franciso2l says:
  
  thank you 🙂
June 1, 2012 at 11:09 Reply
K. H. Fenner says:

Stunning work you have here, such hauntingly expressive faces! I’m especially fond of Ambrosio.
1. June 1, 2012 at 11:52 Reply
  franciso2l says:
  
  thank you very much .:)
July 1, 2012 at 13:22 Reply
Tom Hogarty says:

Hi Francis,

Your work looks terrific, delighted to have had the chance to stop by and take it in.

Tom
1. July 1, 2012 at 16:14 Reply
  franciso2l says:
  
  thanks Tom ,
2. July 31, 2012 at 22:43 Reply
  franciso2l says:
  
  Thanks Tom
December 12, 2012 at 08:01 Reply
Jim Lucey says:

Hi Fran, love the page, the work looks great here.
1. September 29, 2013 at 12:19 Reply
  franciso2l says:
  
  thanks Jim or is that the monk 🙂
June 28, 2013 at 09:32 Reply
laura clennan says:

They are just beautiful – i’m a genre painting fan – you have such an amazing talent – deep dark and delightful
1. June 28, 2013 at 09:55 Reply
  franciso2l says:
  
  Thank you very much Laura
March 17, 2014 at 07:55 Reply
julie harms says:

Nice paintings. I like your work.
1. March 17, 2014 at 14:27 Reply
  franciso2l says:
  
  Thank you
October 10, 2016 at 13:40 Reply
francis ducie says:

nice guy love his paintings have modelled for him check him out
December 28, 2016 at 07:59 Reply
Biba says:

This man is the best Artist in this generation no one captures life so raw and tender quite like him . A rare gift in the 21st century is Francis
December 28, 2016 at 08:01 Reply
Biba says:

He makes everyone else look like amatures
August 22, 2017 at 15:37 Reply
Kevin says:

Unreal man! I would love to see your paintings in the flesh so to speak. Where can I check them out? I’m based in Ireland.
January 4, 2018 at 22:51 Reply
Kevin says:

Francis, where do you currently have art for sale ? I am looking to get my portrait painted and from what I have seen I very much like your style. Kevin.
January 4, 2018 at 23:07 Reply
Kevin says:

Hi Francis where do you have work currently for sale ?
April 13, 2018 at 02:55 Reply
Paul McKenna says:

Dear Francis,

Just a short note to enquire if you would like to show a painting in the Boyle Arts Festival 2018.
“Gathering” opens on Thursday 19th July in King House, Boyle.

The BAF will have a collection/drop off in Dublin.

Thank you again Francis.

Warm wishes,
Paul.
Curator BAF
June 4, 2019 at 16:22 Reply
Francis O'Toole says:

I’m Francis O’Toole.
I spent much of my time growing up in Ireland.
I studied Fine Art and specialized in classical oils.

But I moved to Hollywood, became a movie producer and just finished building my own movie studios.

I’ll be in Dublin 12-13th August to meet again with the Finance Minister to do the sequel to Ryan’s Daughter.

Might be surreal (not our visual aesthetic of course) to get a coffee with ourselves.

Who knows?
1. September 23, 2019 at 13:42 Reply
  Kevin Macartan Monahan says:
  
  Great, mark me in for a part in the sequel. Watched the original recently, it was on tv, it is a fantastic film. Got the horn at the scene where she rides in on a horse, threatening to whip a peasant. Ashford Studios & co Wicklow is your best bet