A cow mural on a Co. Clare house has caught the imagination of many people, some of whom are making special trips to see the flighty Friesian seek the bigger picture.

Artist Marcus Valbohmer told Agriland: "It is overwhelming to see how many people are interested in the cow mural. They are amused and impressed, which means a lot to me.".

From Essen in Germany, he is now living and working in Farrihy, Kilkee, Co. Clare.

"My wife who is from Switzerland, and I bought our house in Co. Clare near Kilkee and moved in in 2023," he said.

"I had done a similar picture in Germany and it sold very quickly. I thought I should do a similar mural on our house as there are a lot of cows in the area.

Valbohmer discovered the world of colours at preschool.

"My first works were created in a shed next to the house on walls, furniture, windows, floors and clothes. At the age of 15, I sold my first painting. 

"I decided to learn the craft of a painter.  In my spare time I devoted myself to art and my fantasies.

"I found a renowned painting company in Switzerland that not only enabled me to train as a painter, but also introduced me to the secrets of traditional painting techniques and decorative painting, works that also required a certain artistic flair," he said.

"At the age of 20, I created my first stage painting for a local club and discovered a new world again: the world of big surfaces."

Valbohmer said it was around the same time that he got his first orders for wall paintings with his company, which was how "I developed a link between profession and hobby".

The German artist decided to devote himself entirely to art painting, and to detach himself from readymade patterns and standardised painting techniques.

"In 2005 I discovered the world of an artist in his own studio. From this time on, oil and acrylic paintings, drawings, and water colours were created in my own realm, initially as a sideline, from 2012 onwards fully freelance," he said.

"For my works I use realistic painting. Inspiration comes from all directions and from all senses," he said.

"It can be new landscapes or pieces of music. Often the focus is on people with their senses. My love for Ireland, its people and its nature influences my paintings and myself."

A mural is created in several steps, he explained.

`'In consultation with the client, I create initial sketches and then a scaled-down design. Subsequently, preparing the surface is important for a lasting result. 

"On average, I need two to three weeks to complete a mural, depending on the size and motif. The amount of work determines the price. The mural with the cow costs around €3,000. 

Valbohmer explained how he would like to be able to find more clients for his murals in Ireland.

"I painted two murals on my own house and haven't had any commissions here in Ireland yet. I still run a studio in Germany where I'm currently taking on commissions. I would like to change this situation and do my work in Ireland," he said.

"We had done a lot of travelling around Ireland and found this house after we stopped in Kilkee. The area is so lovely. It's exactly what we wanted."