Born in Dublin in 1957, Des was a self-taught artist, who painted professionally from the age of 25. For the most part his work covered three subjects - horses, hounds and still life. Living in Co Wicklow, in latter years, he took inspiration from the countryside around him. His horse portraits and in particular his head studies, were of the highest standard, and he had few equals in this field. His commissions included Sadler’s Wells, Vintage Crop, Desert Orchid, and Istabraq, amongst many others.