Doug Hyde

Since Doug’s now iconic pastel image of a smiling face first enchanted a nation of art lovers in 2003 he has gained a massive following around the world and has previously been named as the UK’s artist of the year and has been described by the BBC as the UK’s most popular living artist.

Born in Bristol in 1972, Doug was aware of his artistic talent from an early age and throughout his education he concentrated on the technical side of drawing and painting before becoming a professional artist.

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.

Doug’s work takes us on a colourful and exciting journey through the world he has created and is inspired by his own emotional responses to life. Doug’s intention is to provoke a positive response in others, and this can be seen through the work he has done for charities like Families for Children and Children in Need.

Despite Doug’s phenomenal success he has never lost touch with the realities of life and continues to produce work based around his love for his family, his unfailing optimism and his sheer enthusiasm for life.