Beckstones Art Gallery, Lake District - Beckstones Art Gallery

Chris Holland

Chris Holland has been a constant exhibitor at Beckstones Art Gallery for many years. Born in Lancashire in 1946, Chris Holland received no formal training in painting but exhibited a rare talent from an early age and painted for pleasure, often steam locomotives, during the earlier part of his life. His professional career began in 1976 on a part-time basis, painting mainly British steam railways in watercolour or gouache. Chris Holland’s work has appeared in many exhibitions since 1978, including The Royal Academy Summer Exhibitions and the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts Annual Exhibitions. During the 1990’s Chris Holland began to concentrate on Lake District landscapes in addition to his beloved locomotives in a photo-realistic style which he has now perfected. Working mainly in gouache, his paintings display a depth and intensity rarely found in watercolour landscapes. Chris Holland also paints with acrylics or oils. His fine draughtsmanship, attention to detail and ability to capture the lifelike realism of the subject combine to make his work much sought after. In 2000 Chris Holland became an Associate Member of the Guild of Railway Artists and has exhibited work at most ‘Railart’ exhibitions since that time. He was elected to full membership in 2004.