Francis Farmar

Francis Farmar was born and grew up in Surrey and describes himself as having been a painter "from birth". He studied art in the 1960s, spending six months in Italy, a year at St Martin’s and then three years at Bristol. He now does the majority of his painting in one of Britain’s most beautiful areas, on the Wiltshire-Dorset border.

Before becoming a professional artist in 1986, Francis worked at Christies auction house for 16 years, first as an assistant in the Impressionistic and Modern Picture Departments, then as Director of the Modern British Picture Department. He cites some of the great British painters from the 20th Century such as Sir Stanley Spencer and Paul Nash as his artistic influences and feels himself to be a part of a strong tradition.

The inspiration for his subject matter is also firmly rooted in home soil with the British landscape proving his great love. Preferring to work in mixed media, watercolours and waxed chalk on paper, Francis’s distinctive bird’s eye view of undulating coastlines, charming villages and crowded hillsides offers a unique and enchanting take on the constant activity of the countryside and seaside.

Over the years Francis has exhibited his work at many prestigious galleries and venues including the Royal College in London, the Solomon Gallery in Dublin, and the Edward Day Gallery in Ontario, Canada.