Picasso’s Blue Period, Henri Matisse’s Blue Nude and Yves Klein’s Blue Monochrome – for contemporary artists the colour is far from melancholic …

One Place, 3 Moments, Paul Hughes

This is part of a triptych from Paul’s ongoing Bastard Blue series that featured in an exhibition at the Irish Arts Center in Hell’s Kitchen, New York, last year. www.paulhughes.ie

Blue to Grey, David O’Connor

This is from a new series of flower paintings inspired by artists such as Van Gogh, Paul Cezanne and Paul Nash, David explained. “Ultimately, the artworks are made to be joyous and life affirming in the most simple way.” www.thedoorwaygallery.com

Healing Totems, Nickie Hayden

Nickie uses healing symbols and incorporates elements from Reiki into her work. “I am channelling a positive, transformative energy that goes beyond the canvas. Art has an incredible power to convey emotions and inspire change, especially when it’s infused with the genuine wish for healing, love and tolerance.” www.oliviercornetgallery.com

Sea View, JMW Turner

Part of the National Gallery’s exhibition, Turner’s Watercolours: Scotland’s Vaughan Bequest marks the 250th anniversary of his birth and show his range, from expressive views of Venice and the Swiss Alps. www.nationalgallery.ie

Philip Moss, Mint Tea with Omah in Ramallah

Philip explained, “Most of my art has a political edge to it, sometimes this is subtle and otherwise more direct. I think it is very important to highlight injustices, particularly if you are going to undertake such a selfish activity as painting.” www.molesworthgallery.com

Emma O’Hara, Keep a Piece of Me

The Cork-based artist creates dreamscapes and lush landscapes in vivid hues and spontaneous marking. This work is part of the winter exhibition at So Fine Art Editions in Dublin. www.sofinearteditions.com

Tyrella Beach, Tracey Quinn

Known for her sweeping skies and seascapes, Tracey’s study of Tyrella Beach in Co Down immediately evokes blustery but uplifting conditions. www.traceyquinn.com

Richard Gorman, Blue Purple

Japan at Kerlin Gallery in Dublin showcases 20 years of Gorman’s work on handmade paper from Japan. www.kerlingallery.com

Ian Cumberland, Still 16

From Ian’s exhibition Still at Gormleys Gallery in Dublin. www.gormleys.ie

Eoin Mac Lochlainn, Flooded World

Watercolour on Arches paper is part of a series on wounded worlds, from the famine to climate change calamities. www.oliviercornetgallery.com

Samuel Laurence Cunnane, Blue road

Kerry-based Cunnane works with analogue photography. This photograph was taken as part of a multiyear project driving across Europe. The surface of the road appears blue and almost resembles a river as it reflects the light. www.kerlingallery.com

Savage Nomad, Richard Lawlor

Printmaker Richard Lawlor is a member of The Graphic Studio Dublin, specialising in copper plate etching. His work is reflective of historic film stills and photography based on characters whose lives involved tragedy of one kind or another. www.sofinearteditions.com

Sheila Naughton, Turquoise Glow II

Part of Sheila’s Glow series, she says that through her abstract paintings and drawings she tries to convey sensation. “Colour, movement and light are the key elements I work with to express both an interior and exterior world.” www.oliviercornetgallery.com

Callum Innes,  Exposed Painting Delft Blue

In this abstract painting, Callum layers the paint named for the famous Dutch pottery before breaking it down through a process of dissolution. The final work ‘exposes’ the variations of colour within the pigment. www.kerlingallery.com

Leah Beggs, Sling Your Hook

Leah’s paintings are inspired by journeys through Connemara, where she is based. Although the subject matter can be recognised as landscape, it has an abstract quality as she tries to capture the climatic qualities at a certain point in time. www.solomonfineart.ie

SEE MORE: Artistic License – Mary Moorkens