Painting in a variety of media, Danielle creates luminous floral images that vibrate with life, energy and colour, whether through a riotous party of flowers or a single magnificent blossom. She has received numerous awards for her paintings which she describes as "sanctuaries for the soul."

Danielle is a Toronto-based Canadian artist who has been painting for 30 years. Having studied Art Therapy, she worked with people of all ages helping them to achieve personal change through the use and enjoyment of art. Since leaving her work as a therapist Danielle has dedicated herself to a life of painting, but her
understanding of psychology has had a profound influence on her inspirational images.

Danielle's style is loose and impressionistic, however she has always believed in the importance of each and every brush stroke. In order to gain a greater understanding and technical skill she studied sumi-e, Japanese brushpainting. Her distinctive fusion of eastern and western artistry has led to her works being highly prized by art collectors from both sides of the Pacific.

Contemporary Californian painter Henry Asencio has emerged as one of the most intriguing young artists working today. His compositional style refers to the classical ideals of figurative painting, but merges introspection and visual spectacle with unmistakable modernity. His highly personal investigations of the female figure are characterised by open brushwork, sweeping colour, bold use of texture and great technical precision; qualities that have earned him an impressive range of international accolades.

Henry graduated with honours from the San Francisco Art Academy in 1998. He was a chosen finalist in an Artist's Magazine competition that same year for his work in portraiture, but as time went on he became more concerned with creating a mood and aesthetic context as opposed to replicating a scene or an image. Naturally drawn to painting the human figure for what he describes as "its timeless sensitivity", he is noted for the sensual vitality of his work. Influenced by themes of transformation and spontaneous beauty, his stated aim is to explore the essence of a mood and create work that is striking yet simple.

Henry proclaims an admiration for individuals who have chosen their own path. Inspired by the works of British artist Lucien Freud, the grandson of Sigmund Freud, he is also motivated by the "unbelievable vision, work ethic and unrelenting passion" of Pablo Picasso. Other notable inspirations include Willem de Kooning for, "making every stroke of the brush different" and Gustav Klimt for, "making decorative painting with integrity".
The artist prefers to work in oil, believing that nothing compares to the richness and workability of the medium, and it does perfectly complement his aggressive, painterly style. He begins each composition with a 'gesture drawing', and then mixes colour and applies the paint according to his temperament. He uses a palette knife, thereby transforming a traditional painting into one possessing his cutting edge signature style.

A native Californian, Henry lives and works in his studio near San Jose, north of his birthplace of Los Angeles. His work is now exhibited and collected all over the world.

"I want people to feel what I am doing - not just see what I am painting."

Charlotte was born in the great naval city of Plymouth in 1973 and grew up with a natural fascination for the sea. After training to be an illustrator at the University of Derby and Hereford College of Art, her love of coastal life drew her to Scotland where she was invited to become Artist in Residence at a rural centre for the arts. Charlotte says: The moment when I first knew I wanted to be a professional artist was when I was asked to produce some work for a refuge centre for women who had suffered domestic violence, and I created a series of pieces reflecting on acceptance and harmony. The whole experience of liaising with the refuge and seeing people's response to the finished images was immensely rewarding and inspiring, and proved to me that art really can make a difference. Since becoming a professional artist Charlotte has showcased her work throughout the South of England and has enjoyed numerous successful exhibitions in London, York, Inverness, Galloway and Dallas, Texas. Following her success at the Fine Art Trade Guilds Awards in 2000, where she was awarded the prestigious title of 'Artist Exhibition Winner', her work attracted a great deal of attention leading to the publication of her first collection of Limited Editions, which sold out in a matter of weeks. Since then her reputation has gone from strength to strength, and her Original Paintings, Limited Edition Prints, Sculptures and Glassware have quickly achieved the status of collector’s items.

James was born in Manchester in 1966 into an artistic family. At school he was considered outstanding and from a very young age he was actually taken out of lessons to paint. He received commissions from staff and parents and as a teenager he was runner up in a major art competition. So in the matter of a career choice he says quite simply, "there was no choice!"

After studying at Tameside College of Art James set up his studio in Cheshire. As a result of featuring in a series of successful one-man shows in th local area, he quickly established a formidable reputation in the artistic community as a creative and versatile young talent.

In the early days James was inspired by unconventional outdoor scenes that combined interesting shapes, textures and colours; a particular favourite was his local scrapyard, especially on a rainy day. He liked to explore the idea of man's incursion on the environment and the obvious next step for his work was the cityscape. With success came the opportunity to travel the world in his quest to absorb the sights, sounds and atmospheres of his chosen subjects, and this experience has informed his stunning depictions of New York as well as various European locations .

James loves to experiment with art materials and creates his atmospheric images in a wide variety of media. He exhibits in galleries in Europe, the USA and across the UK and has a range of prestigious private and corporate collectors. His work in on show in the boardrooms of such prestigious companies as BT and Siemens.

James’s powerful, ultra-stylish compositions stop us in our tracks as effectively as the speeding Ferraris they portray. A striking example of modern male success, James is talented, innovative and competitive, with that traditional masculine weakness for the sexier things in life – particularly fast cars. His images contrast the myriad greys of sidewalks and skyscrapers with occasional ventures towards the bolder end of the spectrum. To achieve this distinctive look, James approached a bespoke pastel manufacturer and had over 50 different shades of grey individually created ranging from oyster to ash, from iron to dove, from seawashed pebbles to cloudy skies. These allow him to describe every nuance of concrete, smoke and sky to stunning effect with minimal use of the more conventional range of colours, a stylistic achievement which has won him a unique place on the contemporary art market.

Louise discovered her talent for art and design at school, where she specialised in screen printing. Having completed an Art Foundation Course at Portsmouth College of Art, she embarked on a 4 year Degree in Media and Production Design at the London College of Printing. After graduation in 1991 she spent several months travelling around Central America, which was to have a strong influence on her distinctive use of both colour and shape. Returning from her travels, Louise settled into a career in graphic design back in London. Although her creative talent was effective in the commercial world, she was keen to strike out as a designer and artist in her own right, and spent her free time producing handmade cards and illustrations which were successfully sold through a number of retail outlets including Harvey Nichols. She also undertook a number of commissions for corporate Christmas cards. Then in May 1997 she moved to Hampshire and decided to go it alone as a full-time professional artist. Over the past six years Louise has developed a style of painting which, although expressive, is firmly rooted in her design background. Her high-impact oils on board are predominantly figurative; they encapsulate the energy and buzz of a crowded scene in a manner that is both stylised and beautifully observed. The overwhelming love of the sea which took her back to the South Coast is reflected throughout her work, but we can also see a great affection for human interaction in a variety of social and public situations. Since turning professional Louise had not looked back. Her artwork is currently showing in prestigious galleries all over the country (including the Harrods Picture gallery) and she has a number of celebrity admirers, the best known of whom is Martin Clunes.

Born in Brazil in 1960, Henderson grew up in a small village near Maringa. His talent for painting was clear from as early age, but he never considered pursuing a career as an artist. Instead he entered the banking profession and continued to enjoy painting as a hobby. By the mid 1980s however, Henderson had become convinced that art meant more to him than banking! In 1986 he moved to London in order to study painting, and to make his passion his profession. He has never looked back and now paints full time in his London studio.
A seasoned traveller, Henderson has spent time in Europe, Australia and of course his native South America. While he loves the ocean and has always found it a source of inspiration and joy, he is also a true city-dweller, and many of his most inspirational works feature scenes from the world’s most beautiful cities. Painting in acrylic, oil or watercolour on canvas, Henderson’s trademark palette utilises cool, soft tones to convey the atmosphere of his subject. His works are regularly displayed in London galleries and at international art fairs.
I love the effect that weather has on the urban landscape and must confess to a particular fondness for the rain! Not only does it cast interesting shadows and reflections on the slick sidewalks, but it also dictates the stance of the figures. Their slightly defensive postures and hunched shoulders lend a very specific, and to my mind curiously engaging, mood to the overall scene.

Over the course of her impressive career Sherree has become one of the UK's most collectable contemporary artists; with a discerning international following of art lovers, she enjoys an unrivalled reputation in the international arena. Her impressionistic approach lends a unique charm to each stunning, figurative composition, her subtle hand blending each detail into a creation of captivating elegance.

Sherree was born in Effingham in Surrey. After completing her early education she undertook a fine art course at the Epsom School of Art. As soon as she graduated she set about persuading local institutions to exhibit her work and her success was immediate. She soon came to the notice of the art world and won a number of accolades including the Young Artist of the Year Award from the Royal Society.

Sherree's formidable talent has made her a favourite with many celebrity collectors, notably several members of the British Royal Family. She has enjoyed a range of prestigious commissions including one from the MCC to paint the Ashes series at each of the test grounds. Many famous names in the world of show-business have sat for her including Joanna Lumley, John Sessions and Michael Parkinson. She was also commissioned to paint portraits of Jonny Wilkinson and Martin Johnson for a pair of
commemorative Limited Editions (signed by both artist and player) celebrating England's World Cup Victory; the Original of Jonny Wilkinson was bought by the man himself. In 2007 she has released a beautiful, highly-illustrated hardback book, First Impressions, as well as working on a TV series with Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.

Sherree prefers to use oil on canvas as she finds this to be the purest and "most painterly" medium available to her. She has exhibited at the Tate Gallery, the Barbican, the Royal Society of British Artists, the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, the Laing Landscape Exhibition, the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours, the Royal Watercolour Society, the Hesketh Hubbard Art Society, the New English Art Club, the National Society of Painters, the United Society of Painters and the Pastel Society. Sherree's work is also in the Lord's Museum and is held in many private collections all over the world.

The Creative Day...
Where my painting is concerned I am a creature of habit, as I find a routine keeps me on track with my work. I tend to go to my studio at 9am and paint until I break for coffee mid-morning and then again for lunch. After this however, things get slightly less rigid, dependent on whether I am particularly excited about a piece. I may work through in an orderly fashion and stop for the day at 4pm, or if I’m feeling a surge of creative energy I could easily go straight through until midnight! There are of course many days when I don’t make it into the studio at all, which is no bad thing - if I spent all my time shut away I would miss out on all the beautiful sights and sounds that inspire my work.
The Creative Impulse...
My primary inspiration stems from everyday scenes of human activity. I enjoy exploring the impact of light falling on moving figures and still objects, and the interplay of solid shapes and their complex shadows. I look for my subjects anywhere that groups of people congregate - bars, restaurants, beaches, streets - but am often taken by surprise by a briefly glimpsed tableau that cries out to be captured. Although I do enjoy travel for its own sake, (particularly to European cities and the Caribbean) I also use my trips abroad to seek out slightly more exotic subject matter.
Like many artists, I owe a great deal to those influential figures Velazquez, Sargent, Manet, as well as to contemporary figurative artists such as Ken Howard.
The Creative Process...
When starting work on a composition I try to hint at a story - something to intrigue the viewer the way I myself am intrigued by my subjects. In addition to these narrative overtones, I also try to work within the framework of a disciplined formal structure, as balance seems to me to be one of the key elements in a successful image. In order to recreate the setting of my subject, I rely partially on memory, but also work from sketches and, on occasion, photographs. When inspiration strikes I like to be able to paint without unnecessary delay, so my preferred medium is acrylics, as its quick drying property allows me to paint swiftly onto a dry surface.
Background...
Born in London in 1938, David Farrant has built a reputation as one of the finest painters of portraiture in the country. Following his training at Central St. Martin's, London, David embarked on an impressive career which has included exhibitions at the National Portrait Gallery (where he was a finalist in the John Player Award for Portraiture1989) and at the Mall Gallery in London with the Royal Society of Portrait Painters. He has also undertaken over 20 portrait commissions and has work in private collections all over the world.

David Farren was born in 1972 in Wiltshire and studied art at Bristol. He is now based in Lancashire where he works from a studio in his home when he is not away painting on location.
David uses expressive brushwork and colour to represent the energy and movement of the urban landscape, providing a snapshot of everyday life. His aim is to capture the ambience and individuality of some of the world's most exciting cities in Europe and the USA. He produces his high-impact images in acrylic and oils, enjoying the immediacy and versatility of both mediums which he finds particularly well-suited to his direct style of painting. He is fascinated by the changing seasons and how the varied light affects a scene, and his distinctive use of colour is an essential part of reflecting this.
David has exhibited widely across the U.K with great success. His atmospheric paintings can be found in collections across Europe and America.
"Since visiting New York for the first time in 2000, I have found a real passion for depicting urban day-to-day scenes and trying to capture the energy and drama of city life. I was overwhelmed by its scale and vibrancy and have returned several times since to express the different moods of the city in paint. I also have a great fondness for European cities with their mixture of old and new architecture. I like to concentrate on the people as they go about their everyday business and try to capture moments of everyday life."

Philip was born in Cork, Ireland, in 1959. From the age of 5 he loved art, and one of his earliest memories is being tutored in figurative drawing by a family friend, Trevor Scott, the founder of the renowned College of Art and Design in Dublin.
At the age of 16, Philip left school and joined the Irish Navy. Once he had established himself as a naval diver, he began to paint at sea and soon became prolific. He had the great advantage of having a unique perspective on Irish landscapes and seascapes as viewed from the Atlantic Ocean.
The magic in Philip’s art lies in his ability to use his artistic creativity as a natural form of communication. With the extraordinary beauty of the mountainous western island, Ireland, as his inspiration, Philip’s art provides us with the opportunity, albeit momentarily, to remove ourselves from the chaos of day to day life and appreciate the ordered beauty of nature.
After 17 years in the Navy, and with much encouragement from his wife and family, Philip relinquished his naval career and took the bold step of setting up on his own as an artist. His success was such that he has since become one of Ireland’s most celebrated living artists. Philip’s work is sold all over the world and his celebrity collectors include:
Bill Clinton and George W Bush.

Born in Perth, Western Australia, Rolf has always loved art; Even before he went to Primary School, whenever anyone asked him "What are you going to be when you grow up?" his immediate response was "An artist!".

At the age of twenty-two, Rolf moved to London on what was supposed to be a year's study leave, financing himself through four exhibitions of his work held in Australia. He immediately enrolled at the City & Guilds Art School in London, intending to follow in his grandfather's footsteps and become a portrait painter. After a chance meeting with the Australian impressionist painter 'Bill' Hayward Veal, however, he began attending an art course run by Veal and soon became his protégé.

In the mid 1950's, for two years running, some of Rolf's paintings were featured in the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy. While painting continued to be a private passion of his, it was for his television and stage performances that Rolf became a household name. In recent years Rolf has devoted more time to painting and has had a number of one-man shows, including the Rolf on Art exhibition at the National Gallery.

Rolf's BBC television series Rolf on Art achieved the highest television ratings ever for a UK arts programme. Rolf hosted television's biggest ever Arts event with a live BBC special titled Rolf on Art: The Big Event, in which he joined the public in recreating a large-scale version of Constable's 'Haywain' in Trafalgar Square. The massive event was such a huge success that the BBC staged two further Rolf on Art: The Big Event specials in Edinburgh and London.

Rolf has been awarded the OBE, is a member of the Order of Australia and has won many awards for his work in the entertainment industry. Recently he was made an honorary member of the Royal Society of British Artist.

This year saw Rolf Harris unveil his portrait of Her Majesty The Queen, commissioned by the BBC to celebrate her eightieth birthday; this portrait was the subject of a BBC ONE programme The Queen, by Rolf which was screened on New Year's Day 2006.

Winner: Best Selling Published Artist at the
Fine Art Trade Guild Awards 2005
"The most popular living artist in the UK"
BBC TV National News
Born in Bristol in 1972, Doug became aware of his artistic talent at an early age. Throughout his school and college education he concentrated on the technical side of drawing and painting, but after graduation he was in no doubt as to his chosen career, that of a professional artist.
Doug prefers to produce his distinctive artwork on a large scale, in order to achieve maximum impact with each piece. He also enjoys operating in plenty of space, thus allowing himself enough physical freedom to express the creative energy that is the key to his fresh, contemporary style. His unorthodox use of pastels applied with
fingers and thumbs or even the side of a hand or wrist allows him to create highly communicative and engaging images that make an immediate and lasting impression on the viewer.
Recently named as the UK's official best selling artist, Doug has been featured on television both on the BBC national news and on Channel 4 as well as on local television and local and national radio describing his unique technique and talking about the people and events that inspire his heart-warming images. Inspired by his own emotional responses to life, Doug's intention is to provoke a positive response in others; his success in this aim can be seen not only by the huge impact his work has made on the British and international art scene, but also by the money he has raised for two important charities Look Good Feel Better and Families for Children - through the sale of his artwork. The extraordinary rise from virtual unknown to the most popular living artist in the UK has been meteoric, and his stunning original pastels have become genuine collectors' items.

Rebecca's distinctive oils on canvas are beautifully depicted portrayals of life on the land and the sea. The large ensemble cast of figures, boats and sea birds creates an impression of ceaseless activity, and this is heightened by the natural curves of the classic English harbour which provide movement and energy. Her palette is based strongly on the colours of the sea, with blues, greens and greys dominating the entire canvas.

Rebecca was born in Purbeck, Dorset in 1971. After completing an Art Foundation Course she graduated from the University of Liverpool with a BA Honours degree in Illustration. She went on to build a highly successful career as an artist and illustrator, fulfilling commissions for a number of high-profile clients including Paul McCartney's Music Academy, as well as a range of magazines and record sleeves.

Rebecca is now able to devote more time to her painting and has travelled the world from Ireland to India undertaking prestigious corporate commissions. She has exhibited in a range of high calibre galleries in the UK, Europe and the USA and her evocative oils sell to collectors from all over the world.

Born in Oxford in 1961, Duncan grew up in the Midlands where he still spends a substantial part of the year. Despite living so far inland, he managed to develop a passion for the sea, and spent a highly significant eighteen months sailing across the Atlantic and then around the coast of Britain. He now spends part of the year back home in the Midlands, and the rest of the time in Scotland. Taking his inspiration from the surrounding landscape and of course the sea, Duncan is particularly fascinated by the effects of natural light on colour. His distinctive palette conveys the cool yet vibrant shades of sea and sky as they appear to his artist’s eye. Verging on the abstract, his work is characterised by the dense application of richly textured acrylics, which create a sense of spontaneity and unstoppable energy. Since turning professional, Duncan has enjoyed immense success, displaying his work in both galleries and private collections.

The prevalent theme in Nemo's work is travel and the discovery of the beauty and excitement of new places. His distinctive images draw together the charm and mood of several famous cities at once to create a dreamlike memory of time and space in a fascinating combination of mixed media.

Nemo Colesnicenco grew up in Chisinau, the capital city of Moldova. This Eastern European nation is known for its rich artistic heritage. Nemo, as he is known to his friends, remembers being fascinated by the carvings and other craftworks that surrounded him. In particular he loved paintings and from an early age he was determined to become an artist.

Nemo began intense inquiry into the style and techniques of the famous painters and formed a particular interest in the work of the Surrealists. He enrolled in art school but did not enjoy the strict
academic style of the Russian based academy and abandoned his traditional training in favour of practical experience. His talent flourished and soon he was organizing large outdoor art fairs to show his work and that of other young artists.

At this point Nemo enlisted in the Soviet Army where he served for two years. After completing his tour of duty he returned to his artistic career, and together with a good friend he started a successful
business restoring works of art and painting murals in churches.

The ever increasing freedom in their country inspired the desire to travel in many Russian citizens, and Nemo and his family moved to Canada.They settled just north of Toronto and Nemo felt himself to be at a gateway to the world. Nemo's work is widely collected and is represented in galleries throughout Canada and the USA.

Paul was born in Manchester in 1971, but at the age of four moved with his family to a small village in Wales. It was here that his love of the British coastline was born which was to inspire his artwork for many years to come.
Paul has been working as an illustrator for several years, fulfilling commissions for advertising, books and an animated TV series. Since winning the DeMontfort New Artist Competition in 2005, he has devoted himself to fine art and has found it a revelation: I love the feeedom to use my instinct and to paint without constraint.
Paul’s bold and stylized landscapes originate in his surroundings. He lives in the Snowdonia National Park, one of the most beautiful areas of the UK where inspiration waits round every corner. He also has family in both France and Spain so the blues and golds of a Mediterranean summer find their way into much of his work. His distinctive images are a fascinating combination of observation and interpretation. Once he has a scene in his view he simplifies the shapes and colours. By splitting the image into sections and playing with planes, angles and shades, he encourages us to look at the world in a way which is both fresh and liberating.

Ben Payne has built a reputation for creating artwork which is fresh, escapist and above all, uplifting. Born in Surrey in 1975, he began drawing portraits and painting as a hobby; by the age of 16 he was selling his work, and he has now developed into a major British talent. Although he is almost completely self-taught Ben is able to respond to challenges and create artwork that is both technically accomplished and highly accessible.

Ben's degree from Southampton University is a world apart from his artistic life, yet the influence of his academic and professional background can be observed in his art. After graduating in Psychology he became an independent therapist and pursued a career in the field of Autism, working with young children, helping them to overcome their difficulties in communicating with the outside world. Whilst pursuing this career he continued painting in his spare time, teaching himself and extending his range into oils.

Ben's high-impact land, sky and seascapes are inspired by the British coastline. He owes an artistic debt to a range of artists, in particular Turner and Whistler. Their influence can be seen in the way he captures the appearance of clouds with such delicacy, while employing a vivid and dramatic palette - a characteristic which lends his work an ethereal quality.

Ben believes that working with children has taught him to value simplicity and to communicate in a very direct and accessible language. His powerful paintings do display a certain innocence which somehow sets them part from the work of his contemporaries. While his subjects are realistic they often have dreamlike overtones, rendering them an intriguing combination of enchantment and sophistication.

Born in 1967, Fabian grew up outside Buenos Aires in a turbulent world of political upheaval during the post-Peron military regime. Such a childhood could not fail to impact on every area of his life including his artistic ethos, especially when taken in conjunction with his unconventional upbringing.
At the age of 9 he became fascinated with the paintbrush, and using watercolors and tempera he painted portraits of his friends and family. His mother, Edua Herreria, a beautiful Brazilian women, met his father, a handsome and charismatic ladies’ man, Antonio Perez, in the late 1950’s, in Campana, a small city outside Buenos Aires. They married and had four children of whom Fabian is the youngest.
Edua was the creative force in Fabian’s life and Antonio was the inspiration for his work. Fabian witnessed his father’s unorthodox and often difficult life, portraying him in his paintings as the cool guy outside nightclubs and bordellos. Antonio owned a number of brothels and illegal nightclubs in Campana, and was frequently chased and closed down by the police. Nevertheless the young Fabian was constantly exposed to beautiful women who could seduce a man simply by lighting a cigarette. Today we see these ladies of the night exquisitely portrayed in many of Fabian’s paintings - memories of his youth and the nightlife he observed.
At the age of 16 Fabian was faced with the loss of his mother and 3 years later the loss of his father. The sadness and despair he experienced left him confused and searching for answers. In 1984 he had crossed paths with the greatest inspiration of his life - Sensei Oscar - who later became his teacher, master, close friend, and father figure. Heartbroken and alone, he therefore found strength and a degree of inner peace through the study of martial arts.
Then in 1987 Fabian set off on a journey that was to last until the the present day. After six months in Rio he took up residence in Padova, near Venice, where he stayed for seven years, studying with Oscar and painting daily before moving on to Okinawa, Japan. He finally decided to experience a different side of life in the USA, and in Los Angeles he worked as a busboy and a model, and ran odd jobs for Universal Studios. With his days full, he painted throughout the night and considers this the most creative period of his life.
In 2001 two art publishers and gallery owners saw and fell in love with an exhibition of Fabian’s work. They met Fabian two days later and they formed a partnership to promote, market and develop Fabian’s career as a fine artist. The collaboration was an overwhelming success; every painting Fabian created was sold immediately and the demand for his work exploded. Today his work is published by DeMontfort Fine Art in the UK.
Fabian wishes not to categorise his style as he does not want to limit himself or his work. His art is simply the passionate expression of his strong romantic feelings. Inspired by what is known in martial arts as the Muga (empty mind), Fabian finds himself in this almost meditative state of mind when he is at work, and the purity of his creativity flows. He now resides in Beverly Hills, California, where he paints, plays soccer, trains and teaches martial arts to close friends. He still travels the world for inspiration.

Philip Raskin was born in 1947 and studied at the Glasgow School of Art. He then entered the world of
business and became well known as the proprietor of The Inn on the Green, a celebrated jazz restaurant in
Glasgow over which he and his wife presided. He did not lose contact with the world of art however, as the venue doubled up as a quality gallery with a full programme of exhibitions and private views.

After 20 years as a successful restaurateur, Philip returned to his easel and brushes on a full time basis.
Over time, he has developed a painterly impasto style; using the texture of the paint and the shape of the
brushwork, he gives each of his luminous landscapes its own reality, rather than allowing it to be a smooth window onto a world beyond. With a trademark soft palette and dramatic skies, the overall effect magically captures the textures, moods and changeable light of his native Scotland.

Philip is rapidly acquiring a loyal following of collectors both in the UK and abroad.

"I tend to paint very private places for the viewer to own and enjoy; no people, no houses, no telegraph poles -
just the driftwood of an ebb tide, mist tumbling on a distant hilltop and silence broken only by lapping water
and gulls ascending."

Chris and Steve Rocks represent a unique phenomenon in the world of fine art. Twin brothers who were born only seven minutes apart, they have created an extraordinary artistic partnership, due to a closeness and understanding that is beyond the imagination of most of us. They have worked together throughout their lives, and each of their striking oils on canvas is a true collaboration both in terms of technique and approach - a united response from both artists.

Chris and Steve studied a range of artistic disciplines at school, foundation and university levels, including fine art, ceramics, design, interior design, life drawing, metal sculpture, 3D design, fashion design and photography. Despite their passion for fine art, it was not until they began to exhibit their work successfully in the North of England that the realised their own potential; they were soon selling to private buyers all over the country and had made such a strong impact that they were featured heavily in the local media including TV appearances.

The stunning abstract images that these extraordinary brothers produce are inspired by the overwhelming power of nature. While exploring the effects of light on land, sky and water, they aim to capture a moment in time, a unique and therefore unrepeatable experience. Their intention is to make the viewer aware that in art, as in life, everything is constantly changing. The passion and intensity of each piece reflects both their individual artistic aims and their personal journey through life. Sometimes difficult, often fascinating, but never dull.

We work on every one of our paintings together. We find that our ideas inspire and of course influence one another and we talk over each piece as we work on the composition. Although we have few disagreements, we do learn from one another, and continually push ourselves and therefore inevitably our partnership towards ever increasing artistic challenges.

Jonathan was born in Leeds in 1959. As a child he always loved to paint and stood in awe of his father, a professional artist. He always felt he was destined to follow in his father’s footsteps, but after leaving school found himself working in a variety of jobs, and finally finding a creative position as an interior designer. He knew that this was not the life for him however, and eventually resigned from his job to go travelling, financing his journey with money raised from selling his work along the way. The realisation that he was able to sell his work so easily filled Jonathan with confidence and resolve, and he returned home to Yorkshire to open a gallery. Surrounded by artwork that he admired and seeing the positive response of his customers encouraged him to paint some of his best ever work. After six years in the gallery, Jonathan felt it was time to move on and took the bold step of dedicating himself full-time to painting. His new found confidence led him to abandon his methodical style in favour of more spontaneous free painting onto canvas and board. He found this new approach to be stimulating and exciting, and has never looked back. In 1999, Jonathan was elected a Fellow of the British Society of Painters and the International Guild of Artists, and in 2003 he was shortlisted for the Fine Art Trade Guild award for Best Up and Coming Artist. His work is held in private collections and galleries throughout the UK, Europe and the USA, and his celebrity collectors include Dawn French and Lenny Henry.

Bruno Tinucci has been described as 'the artistic voice of Tuscany.' A self taught painter, Bruno is inspired by the stunning scenery of his native land and employs a distinctive palette of vibrant colours to interpret both the appearance and the atmosphere of this most beautiful of landscapes. He has a unique ability to capture the eye-catching scarlet of a field of poppies, the golden shades of a sunflower, or the changing light of the seasons in his striking impressionistic oil paintings.

Bruno's paintings have been on display since 1972 in some of the most prestigious galleries in Italy. He has enjoyed a number of sell-out shows in Milan and Florence and he currently exhibits in over 25 permanent exhibitions throughout Italy. His paintings have been bought by both public and private collectors from all over the world.

At his 1974 exhibition at 'La Garda' in Milan, the Italian television art critic Mauro Innocenti said of Bruno Tinucci: ''The tradition of Tuscan Art that is represented in the so called 'Pittura Labronica' finds a worthy advocate in Tinucci. People nowadays are interested in artistic pieces of great value and that is exactly what Bruno Tinucci's paintings are. However not only does he keep tradition alive but he also expresses it with a modern style that shows his deep understanding of the lessons contemporary art has given us.''

Jack Vettriano was born in Fife in 1951. He grew up in the industrial seaside town of Methil and left school at 16 to become an apprentice mining engineer. He took up painting as a hobby in his twenties and his earliest images were copies or pastiches of impressionist paintings.

Jack's breakthrough year was 1988, when he felt ready to display his paintings in public and submitted two canvases for the Royal Scottish Academy annual show. Both paintings sold on the first day and he was approached by several galleries who wanted to sell his other work. The success and attention contributed to the breakdown of his first marriage and he moved to Edinburgh. A string of successful exhibitions followed in Edinburgh, London, Hong Kong, Johannesburg and New York.

Jack is the most successful and popular Scottish artist in history. Recognition has come not only through astonishing sales of his work, but in a variety of other ways too; he has been awarded an OBE, holds an honorary degree from the University of St Andrew's, and his private collectors range from his compatriot Robbie Coltrane to Hollywood superstar Jack Nicholson. When his famous painting "The Singing Butler" sold for £744,800 at the Sotheby's Spring Sale he became the subject of a BBC South Bank Show entitled
‘The People's Painter’.

Jack’s latest collection displays all the qualities that have made Vettriano into a household name - his nostalgic subject matter, enigmatic narrative detail, and unmistakable use of colour combine to give the viewer the strange but pleasurable sensation of having stepped into the opening scene of a film noir.