Born in Perthshire in 1958, Chris grew up in Aberdeenshire. After studying archaeology and ancient history at Edinburgh University, he went on to graduate with a B.A. (Hons) in Fine Art from Gray's School of Art, Aberdeen in 1984. He began painting full time in 1996, having initially worked in town planning and for landscape architects in Edinburgh to support himself as an artist. Chris was elected a member of the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour (RSW) in 1999 and his many awards include: the Morton Fraser Milligan, Russell Flint Trust, Glasgow Arts Club Fellowship, Scottish Arts Club Awards, the RSW Council Award, the RSW McManus Galleries Purchase Prize and the RSW The Walter Scott Award.
Chris's paintings predominantly reflect the rugged isolation of Scotland's Atlantic coast. He frequently visits the Hebridean islands - Islay, Iona, Mull, and Barra - in search of inspiration, drawn to their untamed, primeval landscapes, far removed from urban life, where the forces of nature are undeniable. He finds that late afternoon and early evening offer the perfect conditions to capture the impact of crashing waves, illuminated by the unique light and brooding skies that define this beautiful, untamed part of the world - the west coast at its best.
Chris first captures his chosen scene on-site using sketches, watercolours, and photographs. Back in the studio, he works primarily in oils, layering paint to create texture and convey the energy of the sea or the weathered rock formations. He applies the paint in various ways - using his hands, sticks, cards, palette knives, and brushes. The beauty of the oil paint lies in its rich texture and surface quality, as it is washed on, overlaid, and scraped back to create depth and dynamism.
