Simon Francis

Simon Francis (born 1952) is a professional abstract painter residing in Wolverhampton, England. He usually uses oil paints on canvas to, in his own words, "enhance perception and question perceived visual reality by using paint on two dimensional surfaces mainly with the expressive vehicles of abstract form and formlessness." He describes his main influences as Picasso's later works, Howard Hodgkin and Mark Rothko.

Most of his works are part of a series, which is a development of a theme or motif. Some of the series include "Vacuity", "Crow" and "Sunflower" (the latter is a reinterpretation of Vincent van Gogh's "Sunflowers", but that series ended abruptly when Simon was hospitalised, partly due to hypertension).

Before becoming a self employed artist in July 2001, Francis worked as a physics lecturer in a number of schools and colleges around England.

Simon Francis is currently based at the Eagleworks studios and gallery, a studio in an old industrial building in Wolverhampton. He frequently exhibits at Eagleworks as well as in and around London and internationally (e.g., in Cannes, France and Montreal, Canada).

External links

* [http://www.smfrancis.demon.co.uk/ Simon Francis online art gallery] .
* [http://www.eagleworks.org.uk/ Eagleworks studios and gallery] .
* [http://www.coalsmokekills.org.uk/ "Coal smoke kills"] , Simon Francis' campaign to "raise awareness about the human health damage due to smoke from the domestic combustion of coal and wood."
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/blackcountry/content/articles/2005/12/08/eagle_works_simon_francis_feature.shtml BBC Website interview: Simon Francis] .
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/blackcountry/entertainment/visual_arts/eagle_works/ Eagle Works on the BBC Black Country website] .