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THE SACRED ART OF COURTNEY DAVIS
INTRODUCING COURTNEY DAVIS
Courtney Davis has built up a worldwide reputation as the artist who has
re-awakened the visions and exquisite artwork of the ancient Celtic Illuminati. He is widely recognized for bringing to life the mystic symbolism, myths and imagery of Celtic art in a contemporary style that is uniquely his own.
In 1984 he caught the imagination and spirit of the time when his work
'Merlin the Immortal' was first published igniting once again interest in
Arthurian legend.
Born of Welsh, Scottish and Irish descent on October 31st 1946 in Blackwood, South Wales, he grew up in London. His career began when he obtained an apprenticeship to one of the UK's largest jewellery manufacturers as an engraver and designer where his designs became popular and in high demand.
Unfortunately in 1974 he was forced to have major surgery to his spine and during his stay in hospital experienced a series of mystical visions, which changed his life. These experience's, along with a deep feeling of personal loss following the death of his father soon afterwards, led Courtney to question what he really wanted from his life. He joined the Buddist Temple in London and began a personal spiritual journey.
He did not to go back to his engraving job but instead began to draw, adding Celtic inspired borders to his pictures. For extra income he painted designs on old furniture using Art Nouveau and Pre-Raphaelite inspired designs.Soon, his art become popular and he created a range of cards and prints that became ever more in demand.
Inspired, he began to create a series of black and white prints which would
go on to become the book he is most associated with, 'Merlin Awakens'.
Commissioned to produce covers for new age music, Courtney's gained
increasing recognition. He went on to illustrate over 45 published books,
such as Celtic Borders and Decoration, The Art of Celtia, The Celtic Tarot, St Patrick A Visual Celebration and The Celtic Source Book that have become Iconic Celtic Art Classics.
His work has been exhibited widely in Europe and as far a field as Tokyo and Australia, his first American exhibition was in Chicago in 1995 and since then has exhibited regularly in the USA. Many of Courtney's original pieces can be located in private and institutional collections, in chapels and museums.
Entirely self-taught, a sacred piece of Courtney Davis art is created in gouache and ink. "When I start a picture I don't know what I'm going to draw often the image will change as I'm working on it. It's taken me a long time to learn to just go with the flow of the picture than trying to plan how it's going to develop". He finds that light energy guides has hand as he works.
Designs of his art have been applied to mediums such as cards, posters,
fabrics, glass, jewellery, carpet's and even in the form of body art.
Courtney now lives and works in Bridport, Dorset and is about to exhibit in a new esoteric gallery there, 'The Gallery of Secrets'. This is his first exhibition in the UK since 1989 when he exhibited in St Martin in the Fields, London. On display along with his original artwork there will be limited edition pieces of sacred jewellery produced by Peter Stone.
Courtney will also take on commissions for art and jewellery designed by himself.
Much like the monks, druids and bards who went through a minimum of twenty years rigorous training, Courtney now feels he is entering a new level of maturity.
When viewed his art has beauty and can project feelings, bringing you closer to the hidden veil, may we look forward to the new projects and artwork which is still to come to light from the guided hand of Courtney Davis.
What People Say
"The art of Courtney Davis is an expression of the ancient symbols, myths and legends of the Celtic culture and he creates his images through the inspiration of the Celtic Spirit. The mastery of his art has been achieved through 20 years of dedication as a self-taught artist. His paintings are in gouache and ink, many of which may be found in over 36 books that feature his artworks. His vibrant treatment of colour, intricacy of design, and true composition interpret the ancient culture in a contemporary style that is extraordinary. To view his art is to enter into a realm of fascination"
ArtiCulture
Beautiful, personal and reflective, Courtney Davis's art intuits and responds to ancient Celtic archetypes and mythological motifs burning within the collective soul and psyche. Courtney shares every aspect of Celtic mythology and spiritual experience through unparalleled image and expertise including spiralling knotwork, luminescent mandalas; contemplative plates from the Book of Kells; Arthurian and Ulster figures - both men and women; gods and goddesses; shamans and priests; animals and humans; landscapes and single stones.
Linking worlds past and present, conscious and unconscious, Courtney's art provides a doorway into lush Celtic forests and beckoning Arthurian tales, the modern embodiment of living Celtia, teaching and reaching to the places within seeking harmony, balance, health and well-being. Inspiring conservation of the wild places needing protection, tending and recognition within and around us, Courtney's work both excites and satisfies the revival of global interest in Celtic art and ritual.
Reflecting humanity's instinctive need for green spaces, magical experiences and equality of masculine and feminine, Courtney Davis creates masterpieces of love and respect, erasing boundaries of time, space and culture. Supremely skilled and personally generous, Courtney brings the ancient Celtic world to us, keeping the hope and secret of the Grail alive - that the land and the King, humans and animals, women and men, ALL are one.
Paula Vaughan, mythologist, writer
OneWomansMind.net
'Courtney Davis' art work has become synonymous with the idea of Celtic art. His unique blend of decorative and visionary styles brings a freshness and clarity which appeals to a wide audience. Reflecting a deep knowledge and understanding of Celtic myth and the art it generated, his work is both moving and glorious by turns."
John Matthews: Author of 'The Encyclopaedia of Celtic Myth and Legend\' and many other titles.
I would like to thank you for all the inspiration and your wonderful artwork!
Steve Cannon (Atomic Tattoos) USA
Just wanted to let you know you have a New Fan.I recently purchased a couple of your books as reference material for my pottery and I was just
blown away.VERY, VERY, VERY Beautiful.
Thanks so much. Lynda Durham USA
I'm not quite sure what to say (or even how to start this) but I just wanted to say that I love what you've done. I've always been a follower of the Celtic way of life but in a rather more back seat way but since I've started to research them more thoroughly I've been very impressed with what I've found. Also, being a budding artist, I've enjoyed viewing your work immensely and i would like to thank you for putting it on the internet and allowing people like myself to view it.
Yours T. Alison United Kingdom
Please keep up the good work, you definitely bring light to my boring
days at work. I find it difficult to wait until I return home to paint.
I recently purchased your Key Patterns and Animals and find it pure
inspiration.Thank you once again, kind regards
Linda Howarth South Africa
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