Originally a qualified illustrator and trained graphic designer, Chris now paints full-time from his studio in Bedfordshire. Often described as ‘whimsical’, his work usually involves an atmospheric landscape, populated with characters such as gaunt and grumpy ‘Garfield’, along with his faithful Jack Russell – ‘Barton Darcy’. (It is worth noting that Garfield has recently been joined by a female companion ‘Babs’, and her friendly Border Collie). Virtually all of his work is accompanied by a humorous ‘ditty’ – a four-line poem about the world as Darcy sees it. “I like to give people a grin if I can,” Chris said. The poems themselves evolve from the annotations of his initial sketches, which he then uses to paint the scene using oil on gessoed panels back in his workroom. Chris sites cartoonists such as Paul Sample and Gray Jolliffe as having an early influence on his work, (although he admits you cannot see much of it now). More recently perhaps, Gary Bunt and Sam Toft. His work can be found in numerous local galleries such as Hitchin and Baldock. However, he exhibits regularly in Southwold, Cromer, London, and now Cambridge. Increasingly collectible – his work has been published as greetings cards and limited-edition wall art.