Talented artist Chris has deep passion for art and fun with facepainting

Although highly-regarded as a talented painter, with strong influences such as Toulouse Lautrec, Aubrey Beardsley and Salvador Dali, Chris is also particularly popular at Halloween, Easter and St Patrick’s Day as an imaginative facepainter.

His passion for art stems from his youth and at Tannaghmore Primary School, Chris fondly remembers his childhood days when he often sat inside finding a quiet spot to draw.

It was there he found inspiration and was encouraged to keep drawing.

“My teacher said I had a gift to use so from then on I have always had a pencil or brush,” said Chris.

During his time at St Paul’s Chris said he had ‘fun times’ with art.

“Then I was more influenced by the technical drawing side. That gave me a new direction in how to look at drawing.

“The work that I was doing then was more sketching and doodling,” he said.

Chris took a break from school working different jobs including a four year stint at Ulster Meats.

In his early 20s Chris took the opportunity to spread his wings and went to the USA for a few months with a good friend.

“This was cut short due to a motor vehicle accident in which my friend was killed and two others had died,” he said.

Chris took a break as it had been a very rough time and he had been badly injured in the crash himself.

“It was a turning point in my life and for my art,” said Chris.

His brother David, who has a Masters in Fine Art, lived in West Cork and was working in theatres doing backdrops and props and asked Chris to help him.

“This was a chance to get back into it so I did that for a few years.

“Doing this was like good therapy and David was a great influence giving me positive energy. Just what I needed.”

Chris went back to study and started at the University of Ulster in 1996 studying a Foundation in Art and Design.

“Getting the opportunity to use different techniques using print, life drawing, sculpture and photography opened many avenues to create new forms of art.”

He soaked up inspiration from his tutors and flew through the course achieving a distinction which spurred him to a Fine Art degree.

He also spent seven years doing glass etching.

“I drew inspiration from everywhere, from the simplicity of cave art to the obscure realm of surrealism, paying particular attention to the weird and wonderful beauty in nature.”

Having been inspired as a child, Chris does a lot of volunteer work helping the youth club at St Peter’s and helping out at charitable events.

His house is always full at Halloween with friends dropping by for one of his imaginative facial makeovers.

His partner Angela is his muse and guinea pig for trying out new ideas.

Chris is also involved with the North Armagh Artists Collective and has had a number of exhibitions.

If you would like to learn more about his work check out his Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Chris-DummiganBeing-creative or email him [email protected]