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Capri Sun
Devenick Yellow
Late Summer Lilies |
Francis Boag
was born in Dundee in 1948 and studied at Duncan of Jordanstone
College of Art in the late sixties. His tutors in Dundee
included Alberto Morrocco and David McClure, whose influence can
be readily seen in his love of vibrant colour and the sensuous
application of paint.
Francis continued to paint throughout a successful teaching
career, which saw him teach in Dundee and Perth before being
appointed Head of Art at Aberdeen Grammar School in 1989. It was
this move to the North East which signalled a major change of
direction in his work and in 1995 his expressionist
interpretations of the local landscape first began appearing in
Galleries in the North East
The demand for his vibrant colourful paintings grew rapidly and
his work was soon in demand from Art Galleries throughout the UK
and Ireland.
In 1999 a major commission from John Lewis plc for three large
paintings for permanent display in their new flagship store in
the Buchanan Galleries in Glasgow prompted Francis to take a
year long sabbatical from teaching. During this period he
studied for an MA at Grays School of Art; a research-based
course, which required among other things that he reflect deeply
on his own work and try to see it in the wider context of
current contemporary art practice.
Fortunately for the artist, the developments in his work
triggered by this challenging period met with great enthusiasm
in the commercial Gallery market and demand for his work
increased. This enabled him to leave education and become a
full-time professional Artist in June 2001.
Francis now exhibits widely at home and increasingly abroad.
During 2003-04 he had exhibitions throughout the UK and also New
York, Dublin, Belfast, Paris, Munich, Seattle and Michigan. 2005
will also see his work on view in Russia, Australia, Cannes and
the Italian Riviera
His feature in the ‘International Artist’ magazine has helped to
raise his profile in the USA, and his work was shown and
discussed at a talk given in November 2002, by the American
editor of the magazine to the Allied Artists of America. He also
contributed a chapter on outdoor sketching for their book, ‘Work
small, learn big’ which has sold well all over the world.
His best-selling prints have found their way into a host of
public buildings such as airports and hospitals and his original
work is increasingly sought after by large corporate collectors
including John Lewis plc and the Royal Bank of Scotland.
Since 2003 his images have featured regularly in the catalogues
of the international children's charity, Unicef. He is the only
Scottish artist to be included in their Fine Art collection.
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Olive Trees Casares
Ury Pinks
Wild Flower Ury |
