13/09/2024
Welcome to The Contemporary Druid, a space where ancient Celtic wisdom and modern creativity come together. My name is The Contemporary Druid, and my journey into storytelling and art began long before I discovered my deep Celtic roots. I was raised in the sign business, and at the age of 12, my father’s company won the contract to renovate the iconic HOLLYWOOD sign. My high school job was working as a pattern maker, cutting out plexiglass logos and fabricating signs. This hands-on work inspired my love for drawing and design, laying the foundation for the artwork and storytelling I create today.
Discovering as a young boy that I am half Irish brought inspired my artistic journey, reconnecting me with my Celtic heritage through drawing of castles, wizards, goddesses and anything connected. Now living in Inverness, surrounded by the rich landscapes and history of Scotland—like Clava Cairns—I feel a profound connection to the Celtic and Scottish traditions that inspire my work. It is with the deepest respect for these cultures that I retell these ancient stories, blending original art and narrative to honor their significance while exploring their relevance in our world today.
Since childhood, I've been enchanted by mythology, and this passion grew during my time at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where I explored Celtic symbology through drawing, painting, and stone carving. Today, I share these stories—infused with both my personal journey and my respect for the cultures they come from. Whether it's the sacred ritual of harvesting mistletoe from the oak or the Beltane fires welcoming summer, each story delves into the heart of Celtic spirituality, reflecting my lifelong love for creative expression.
To date, I’ve written four books—Scottish Mythology, Celtic Mythology, Welsh Mythology, and Arthur's Realm—each with ten chapters, ten stories, and accompanying images, black-and-white emblems to accompany each story, blending ancient symbolism with modern techniques, much like the signs I once fabricated.
I invite you to join me in exploring these timeless narratives, reconnecting with the natural world, the cosmos, and the wisdom of the past. With deep respect for Celtic and Scottish culture, I’m excited to share this journey with you. Welcome to The Contemporary Druid—where the old world meets the new, and the stories live on.
