Doug Hyde

Born in Bristol in 1972, Doug Hyde 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 Hyde 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 Hyde 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.

“I am generally woken by my children Charlie and Eliza (better than an alarm clock!) at 6am, and spend the first hour or so of my day deafened by their enthusiastic chatter. We always try to sit down for a family breakfast with my wife Suzie at around 7.30. I aim to be in my studio next door by about 9.30 with that essential cup of coffee, apron on and sleeves rolled up. I look at the work from the night before and contemplate what needs to be done whilst drinking my coffee. I look down at my choice of 100 plus pastels to the right of my drawing board and go. I start my work accompanied by the radio as I like to have some background noise. Lunch is always scheduled for around 1, but by the time I've managed to tear myself away and am clean enough to sit down to eat, it tends to be nearer 2! Lunchtime is just a quick bite to eat. Once back in the studio I work through until dinner, with an afternoon visit from Suzie and the children to see how I'm getting on. We have a coffee together and a bit of a chat and then I need to be in isolation again. Dinner is generally ready at 8 but eaten at 9... Late again! Even though technically my working day is now over, I often pay a late night visit to the studio to sit and contemplate my latest piece on the easel. Then it's lights out until tomorrow”.

Doug Hyde
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