Tag Archive for "gothic"

Chris Touches Down at Artists UK

FALLEN ANGEL signed Giclee print by Chris Down

Excellent artist Chris Down has produced six fabulous Giclee prints of his work such as the one above that are now available to buy at Artists UK.

Click on it and you’ll see the rest of them.

Born in 1963, Chris Down was brought up and has spent much of his life in rural Wiltshire. The wooded valley, where he lives, is walking distance from Stonehenge. The route, along an ancient green lane carving through rolling fields, is a journey he has made from school age. It was the 1970’s and the time of the Stonehenge free festivals. Once a year in June, to celebrate the summer solstice, a gathering on the plain occurred which stirred the interest of his young mind. He had spent much of his childhood avidly reading books along with making and painting things. Always lost in some project or another. His grandfather had been both a writer and artist, who first earned money from art, aged 15, by creating caricatures of tennis players and then went on to write for BBC radio and television. Chris’s uncle also wrote for television. Including the cult series Dr Who in the 1970’s and was responsible, with his writing partner, for bringing the world the robot dog K9. With childhood influences like these, to spend a life being creative was a natural progression. At Stonehenge, he would find much of the inspiration and roots to his way of life. Chris achieves a traditional feel to his art. He has been asked many times whether he works in oil or acrylic and the questioner is surprised to learn the pictures are digitally created. Inspired by the works of the Pre-Raphaelites, 19th century symbolists, art nouveau, late 20th century fantasy artists, 9th/10th century illuminated manuscripts and dark age craftsman, Chris’s eclectic work is constantly moving forward as he finds new ways to work and refines those techniques he has developed over the years.  Maybe it is only a matter of time before his talent gets recognised and massive fame beckons.  Who knows?  But if it does then these early Giclee prints could end up being collector’s items.