The Francis Street branch of the Sharkey Empire is one of three galleries he now owns, the other two being in London and the island of Ibiza. This has meant he spends about one third of the year in each place. "I'm trying to have one exhibition per year now as I am already busy enough with the three galleries, " says Sharkey. "My gallery in Ibiza is also my home and many people wish to travel there so they can see the artist in his own habitat, which apparently is very important.

What I don't tell them is that I have six dogs to meet them when they arrive! Then a client who buys a piece might say, 'Oh I see one of your dogs in this piece' and I'm thinking I'm glad that's all you can see because it might also include a spliff end or a pubic hair!" This is Sharkey's inspiration in a nutshell - whatever is going on around him at the time.

Whether he is in Dublin, London or Ibiza, his work will reflect the energy that he is surrounded by. "I always paint at night, anytime in the middle of the night, " he adds. "It is nice because in the morning you have something to show for your efforts and, because it is dark, I think I overcompensate with colours."

Bright, bold colours are a trademark of Sharkey's abstract painting style but the canvas is not his only medium. "I'm currently displaying an installation of Ku Klux Klan hats in New York as part of my 'What Colour are Kisses?' exhibition, " he explains. "There are 12 in all, one of which was made with an American flag, another with a rainbow flag while another says 'I love black people' on the front. The image of the KKK has scared me all my life and their outfits represent a very frightening icon. So I wanted to play around with the imagery. By using different colours and symbolism, like the American flag, it became possible to reduce the KKK outfit down to nothing more than fabric. I think it is very powerful." The response it has generated so far has been very positive with George Michael's partner, Kenny Goss, hoping to auction it off in his gallery in Texas as part of an AIDS fundraiser.

Celebrity interest like this has never been far behind his work. Bob Geldof, Courtney Love, Kate Moss and Pete Doherty are just some of the 'celebs' who have picked up one of his pieces. Is this a good thing? "I don't really give a damn who buys my work as long as they like it, " says Sharkey. "To be honest, the people who you remember are not the celebrities, although it is nice when they do because it brings attention to your work. But nobody has ever bought a painting of mine because someone else bought one. Besides, celebrity interest is not necessarily a good thing. We are led to believe that 'such and such' a person is an arbiter of taste. In reality we know that celebrities are anything but that. Still it is always flattering when people like your work, especially when they are creative people themselves."

Sharkey's own celebrity status may also be, to some degree, a selling point. His outspoken nature and willingness to exhibit himself, particularly on the TV, has made his face more wellknown than other established Irish artists. "I laugh because of my escapades on TV but I do like it. I've been in people's living rooms who would never have invited me in otherwise! I love any form of communication but particularly TV as, although it is far from reality, it is still a microcosm of life. So I wouldn't rule out doing it again." He now hopes to work on a programme that looks at the new Irish arts scene.

In the last seven months Sharkey has sold approximately 220 paintings, more than some artists might paint in a lifetime. So being prolific is certainly not a problem. "Art is still perceived as being only for intellectuals or people of a certain wage bracket. Art for me - either you feel it or you don't.

When I was a fisherman, people didn't come up to me and ask, 'Kevin, that herring, what does it mean?' Now I paint pictures. That is all. If you like them, good. If you don't there is another gallery next door."

Sharkey Studio is at: 80 Francis Street, Dublin 8 By appointment only.

Tel: 01 4536282 (for enquiries / appointments)