Chris Francis, born and bred in Birmingham, moved to South East London in 1976

After a Pre-Diploma Course, he gained DipAD (converted to BA [Graphic Design]) at College of Art, Stoke-on-Trent (now Staffordshire University).

Heavily influenced by Impressionism, he travelled the UK coast in a motorhome to pursue Plein Air painting.

Although he followed a career in Industry, he simultaneously painted part-time including adult education classes at Sir John Cass College and adult education institutes in his home town of Birmingham and the London Boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Greenwich, Lewisham and Bexley. Residential courses included Slade Summer School

Rented studio in Childers Street Deptford, creating two-and three- dimensional figure and nude studies followed by setting up home studio to paint and latterly developing assemblages. Also rented second studio at Arthub, Charlton to pursue and develop printmaking

He has exhibited in London (including the renowned Mall Galleries) in London and throughout the South East, St Ives and Lausanne

He is a member of the Hesketh Hubbard Group (Federation of British Artists) and Blackheath Art Society