Chris Parsons

Born in 1969 I was encouraged at a young age to start drawing and painting by reading comics and books. I had an instinctive feeling that this would become part of my life. During my school years the only lesson I looked forward to was art. Upon leaving school I enrolled at my local college to further my academic studies including A’ Level art and design.

In 1989 I decided to study an arts foundation course. This helped me to decide which artistic profession to follow, as the type of studies focused on all disciplines of art. As well as having a love of painting I had a firm interest in design, especially typography and calligraphy. In 1990 I enrolled to study graphic design and luckily for me photography and illustration were part of the college programme so I could incorporate my skills within the course.

Since completing my studies in 1992 I was employed in a variety of jobs, but they did not test my artistic abilities. During that time I was commissioned to do sign writing, magazine illustrations and artwork for computer games. I was also employed in 1995, along with other artists, to design and paint murals for children’s playrooms. The work was varied and involved commissions in Spain.

In 1998 I decided to start my own business at St.Nicholas market, Bristol. As well as displaying my landscapes I was commissioned for portraits, graphic design and sign writing. Whilst having some success with my business venture I had an inclination I was in the wrong surroundings for my paintings to be appreciated. With this in mind I approached an established art gallery in the centre of town. My work was accepted and I was delighted when they began to sell. The owner of the gallery showed them to an art agent who purchased several of my paintings to be sold in selected galleries around the country. My work was then reproduced in print form by one of the country’s leading publishers, Washington Green.

In 2000 I exhibited my aviation art at the Carisbrooke gallery, London, with The Guild of Aviation Artists. My work was chosen out of many artists to be highly commended. For me it was a great honour to exhibit my work alongside prolific painters including Gerald Coulson, David Shepard and Keith Woodcock.

Chris Parsons

Born in 1969 I was encouraged at a young age to start drawing and painting by reading comics and books. I had an instinctive feeling that this would become part of my life. During my school years the only lesson I looked forward to was art. Upon leaving school I enrolled at my local college to further my academic studies including A’ Level art and design.

In 1989 I decided to study an arts foundation course. This helped me to decide which artistic profession to follow, as the type of studies focused on all disciplines of art. As well as having a love of painting I had a firm interest in design, especially typography and calligraphy. In 1990 I enrolled to study graphic design and luckily for me photography and illustration were part of the college programme so I could incorporate my skills within the course.

Since completing my studies in 1992 I was employed in a variety of jobs, but they did not test my artistic abilities. During that time I was commissioned to do sign writing, magazine illustrations and artwork for computer games. I was also employed in 1995, along with other artists, to design and paint murals for children’s playrooms. The work was varied and involved commissions in Spain.

In 1998 I decided to start my own business at St.Nicholas market, Bristol. As well as displaying my landscapes I was commissioned for portraits, graphic design and sign writing. Whilst having some success with my business venture I had an inclination I was in the wrong surroundings for my paintings to be appreciated. With this in mind I approached an established art gallery in the centre of town. My work was accepted and I was delighted when they began to sell. The owner of the gallery showed them to an art agent who purchased several of my paintings to be sold in selected galleries around the country. My work was then reproduced in print form by one of the country’s leading publishers, Washington Green.

In 2000 I exhibited my aviation art at the Carisbrooke gallery, London, with The Guild of Aviation Artists. My work was chosen out of many artists to be highly commended. For me it was a great honour to exhibit my work alongside prolific painters including Gerald Coulson, David Shepard and Keith Woodcock.

Work currently available