BookDoug Hyde

Doug Hyde - Britain's Best Selling Artist

Doug Hyde, a contemporary British artist, has made a remarkable impact on the art world with his distinctive style and heartwarming imagery. His unique approach to creating art has earned him recognition as the UK's best-selling published artist and the accolade of being described as the most popular living artist in the country by the BBC.

Early Life and Education

Born in Bristol, Doug Hyde demonstrated a passion for art from a young age. Despite discouragement from his school's career advisors, who believed that being an artist was not a viable career option, Hyde remained determined to pursue his dream. After graduating, he began working in a draughtsman's office while simultaneously enrolling in a college course in technical illustration to further develop his skills.

Artistic Development and Style

As Hyde continued to refine his technique, his artistic journey underwent a gradual evolution. He transitioned from monotonal figurative work to bold, colorful narratives, drawing inspiration from various sources. One notable influence was Mark Rothko's large-scale color field paintings, which Hyde encountered during a visit to the Tate Modern. This experience had a profound impact on his artistic vision, leading him to embrace a more expressive and emotive style.

Hyde's unique approach to creating art involves applying pastels with his fingers, thumbs, and even the side of his hand or wrist. This unconventional technique allows him to create highly communicative and engaging images that resonate with viewers on a deep, emotional level. His work often features children, families, and animals, conveying a sense of warmth, comfort, belonging, and love.

Career Highlights and Achievements

In 2005, Hyde was named the UK's best-selling published artist by the Fine Art Trade Guild. This prestigious accolade marked the beginning of a meteoric rise in his career, with his original pastels becoming highly sought-after collectors' items. Hyde's work has been featured on BBC TV national news, where he was described as the UK's most popular living artist.

Celebrity Collectors and Influence

Hyde's artwork has attracted the attention of several high-profile individuals, including England Manager Roy Hodgson, golfer Rory McIlroy, and British movie star Emily Blunt, who are among his celebrity collectors.

Contributions to the Art Community and Philanthropy

Throughout his career, Hyde has demonstrated a strong commitment to using his art as a vehicle for positive change. He has raised money for charities that hold a special place in his heart, including "Look Good…Feel Better," an organisation that supports women undergoing cancer treatment, and "Families for Children," which promotes adoption. Hyde has also been featured in five books, further cementing his influence and contributions to the art world.

Recent Achievements and Legacy

Hyde's popularity and profile have continued to grow both in the UK and internationally. He recently returned from a successful sell-out tour in Japan, showcasing his artwork to a global audience. Despite his phenomenal success, Hyde remains grounded and connected to the realities of life, consistently producing work that reflects his love for family, unfailing optimism, and enthusiasm for life.

Through his distinctive style, heartwarming imagery, and dedication to philanthropic causes, Doug Hyde has become a significant figure in the contemporary art world. His ability to connect with people on an emotional level through his art has garnered him a loyal following and widespread acclaim. As his work continues to resonate with collectors and inspire fellow artists, Hyde's enduring legacy is certain to leave a lasting impact on the art world for generations to come.

The artist's New art & sculpture releases, called the 'Doug Hyde - Art And Soul - Collection,' is due out in under 10 days!. It will feature at least 5 limited edition prints & 1 sculpture and we are all very excited! We are also now approaching Doug's 20th anniversary as a published artist but that celebration will not be until later 2023 at the earliest, I wonder what wonderful art he has planned? - 27th March 2023

And finally, Doug Hyde's long awaited New releases: the 'Together Again ❤️ - Collection' is here, representing the artist's first series in some time! Limited editions include: 'Family Tree' (print & sculpture), 'My Sunshine' (sculpture) and others such as: 'I Missed You,' 'Everything For You,' 'Any Dream For You' & 'Here Comes The Sun.'

This looks to be a fantastic selection of limited editions for Doug's end of Summer 2021 releases; in fact his last collection was 'Share The Love - Collection' (2020) and was released almost exactly one year ago. Superbly selected images and sculptures to please and uplift the spirits of anyone who admires the artist's work or remembers their inner child! - 16th September 2021

Doug releases his 4th image to commemorate the endurance we have all shown during the last 13 months of various lockdowns, with the tongue-in-cheek 'Zoom Party' also celebrating the explosion in use of Web Cam's to stay in touch; whether that be 'Zoom' (which clearly Doug is referencing), 'Teams' or Whatsapp video calling etc, we are all finding new ways to stay in touch with friends and loved ones!

From every sale of this limited edition £50.00 will go to MIND mental health charity and this will be paid jointly by ourselves and Doug's publisher. Also, this only available for galleries (and the public in theory) to purchase from 10.00 am Friday 9th Until midnight 12.00 Sunday 11th April, making it a very special 'Timed' limited edition and this will set the eventual edition size of this special release.

The previous imagery reflecting on the last 13 months where 'Thank You' (sculpture and picture) and follow up 'Love From A Distance,' so now with 'Zoom Party' Doug has made it a quartet! - 9th April 2021

I am delighted to showcase the 'Doug Hyde Love Sweet Love - Collection' (the official name!), a trio of uplifting new releases featuring 'Love Hearts' sweets and these are also this year's St Valentine's Day Releases, although not an annual release, Doug has been spoiling us with many over recent years for this most romantic of days! - 15th January 2021

Doug's first releases of the New Year, The 'Doug Hyde Collection - January 2021' are coming this Friday: 'Best Mate' & 'Super Cutie' (sister pieces) RRP £350.00 framed, each, as well as 'Love You - Sculpture' RRP £395.00 - 10th January 2021

Amazingly, all three will feature characters holding Love Heart sweets (candy), reminiscent of 2019’s 'Love You Forever - Remarque Edition' & 'Together In Love.'

Doug has launched 'Hearts Of Hope' his Christmas 2020 release but one we feel will have appeal all year round. Two human characters and Fuzz The Dog under a tree as Fuzz looks up in amazements at the tree filled with Hearts and Hope! - 18th November 2020

10th September 2020 is launch day for Doug Hyde Share The Love - Collection, his first since February 2020’s hugely popular 'I Love You - Collection.'

The Share The Love - Collection includes seven titles: 'Overloaded With Love' - Sculpture & limited edition print (which will be full colour!) and black and white images: 'Best Friends,' 'Close To You,' 'Family Night,' (same image sizes) and 'Token Of Friendship' & 'Token Of Love.' (also same image sizes).

These New Releases are rather special for two reasons, firstly it contains the latest release from the Doug Hyde Vehicle Series, this time a wonderful Land Rover called 'Overloaded With Love - Sculpture’ all with number plate 'DH 9' - marking the 9th release in this ongoing loved series and the first since the 'DH 8' called 'Love Overload - Sculpture' (2019).

The second reason is that this marks a return to the characters and imagery from the Doug Hyde Rural Retreat - Collection, first launched way back in 2013 and created to mark Doug & his family's move to a farmstead and the countryside! These black and white imager with quirky sculptures, and a collector's books, proved extremely popular over time and remain much sort after even now!

It is now 7th August 2020 and as we head towards the end of Summer 2020, we wait patiently for Doug's highly anticipated new releases and wonder what delights lay ahead for his many fans and collectors! With time on our hands during the Covid19 Crisis, many art lovers have turned to Doug’s work for his messages of: hope, love and brighter tomorrows!

12th June 2020 will see two new releases by Doug: 'Thank You - Sculpture' & 'Love From A Distance' both of the moment & highly anticipated, the first being the 'Thank You - Picture' transformed with its Rainbow into touchable form! - Doug has also now named these three pieces the 'Love And Thanks - Collection.'

'Love From A Distance' - picture features two characters on a Seesaw, in love but keeping a social distance! 

Please note the Thank You - Sculpture is a pre-order, selling fast, landing on UK shores around October but we expect a sell out long before this!

The 16th April 2020 is the release of 'Thank You,' a special Doug Hyde limited edition & his first Charity edition since 'Hearts & Smiles' way back in the noughties. A whooping £100.00 per item is being donated to the NHS Charities to show the collective appreciation Doug, ourselves & his publisher have for the NHS & frontline Emergency Services, and their tireless efforts to look after our health and wellbeing. We have also heard every penny for the sale of the Original will also be donated - wow!

Why not browse our exclusive Black Frame Collection, this is made up of print titles by Doug usually 'recommended' in white frames but we have created black variants for you, as maybe they go better in your home!

On the 10th February 2020 Doug releases his new Spring releases called 'I Love You' collection and features classic Hyde imagery: five stunning pictures and two gorgeous sculptures: 'Memories - sculpture' and 'Life Is Sweet - sculpture'.

The 10th of January 2020 will see Doug release a St Valentine's Day limited edition called 'Caught Up In love'; this time we have both a sculpture and a picture and it features the classic purple clothed human character carrying a bindle, with a cute heart on the end - who needs a picnic!

2019 did not see a specific release for the February 14th big day, although some say 'Showered With Love' (November 2018) picture and sculpture was an early release for the following February!

Doug's previous Valentine's release include: 'Head Over Heels' (2018), 'A Message For You' (2017) - a direct follow up to the previous year’s (Valentine's) release 'A Key To My Heart ' (2016) and both where a picture and a sculpture, classic Hyde imagery. Other Valentine specific editions include: 'Lots Of Love' (2015) picture and sculpture, 'Always Here For You' (2014) & 'Love Lifts Us Up' (2013) and from memory there was 'Catch My Heart' (2009) print & sculpture.

As we head towards Christmas 2019, mix two of your favourites things: Doug Hyde art and Sweets, to see what takes your fancy for you or a loved one's present this Winter.

Friday 8th November 2019 will be the unveiling day for the Christmas New releases: 'Ho Ho Ho' limited edition picture and sculpture, with some very familiar faces wearing Santa hats and getting into the festive spirit!

November 2019 will see the launch of Doug's Christmas 2019 Releases, rumoured to be at least one limited edition print and one sculpture and I am so excited! I wonder if it will be a new entry into his Lost Reindeer series of prints? published in winter 2011, 2011, 2013 & the most recent 'Follow Your Dreams' in 2017.

As the England Rugby team enters the final stages of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, we have the last few copies from Doug Hyde's World Cup Rugby collection (2015) available, when the artist was crowned England Rugby's Official artist.

June 27th 2019 sees the release of two new limited editions by Doug featuring a 'Citroen 2CV' car: 'Love Overload - Picture' £750.00 RRP (framed), £590.00 (mounted) and 'Love Overload - Sculpture' £1250.00 RRP. The sculpture will be the 8th in the highly collectable Vehicle Series and carry 'DH8' as the number plate.

Late August 2017 saw the release of Doug's Second Dog series of themed prints & sculpture in Scarves, which we consider the 'Top Hats And Tails collection' Part 2! featuring breeds: French Bulldog, Golden Retriever, Pug & Westie in print form and Schnauzer, Springer Spaniel, Border Collie, Jack Russell & Black Lab in lovable sculptures.

Doug Hyde is not afraid to turn his paint brush to Pop & Movie culture and has produced fan favourite limited art, depicting Georg Lucas's iconic Star Wars!

Starting with his first release 'Its Good To Be Bad - picture' (2016) - a jovial look at Darth Vader and book ended by 'The Good, The Bad, The Lovely' (2018) - a tongue in cheek triptych of Princess Leia, Darth Vader and Obi Wan Kenobi, fans are eagerly awaiting his next entry into the Doug Hyde Star Wars collection! Perhaps with 2019’s The Rise Of Skywalker movie coming to cinemas in Dec 2019, a new Doug limited edition is imminent?

Around 2013 Doug & his young family moved away from the big city and into the more rural, South West of England and the Cotswolds which provided inspiration for his new black and white range: 'The Rural Retreat' (2013). This collection featured: cats, dogs, wildlife and a moo cow follow up pair dubbed the 'Rural Expansion' (2013), released just 17 days after the Rural Retreat; perhaps the delay was caused by the more involved 'on canvas' print process, which results in such lovingly recreated canvas limited editions.

2004 was a breakthrough year for Doug Hyde with the release of 'The Hyde Experience,' his first major collection (23 items) featuring seventeen paper prints, his first two 'on board' prints: 'Looking After Love' & 'You Are My Sunshine' and four sculptures. From this collection came the very first 'Beware Of The Dog' limited edition print, which really put Doug on the map and would be a highly prized print for many years to come!

Doug Hyde was born in Bristol in 1972 and unsurprisingly his artistic talent became visible from an early age. During his school and college years he concentrated on the technical side of drawing and painting but sometime later, after graduating, he chose to become a professional artist & his path to artistic fame began!

Hyde's use of pastels applied with: fingers, thumbs, wrists and other body parts, allows him more freedom to explore artistic ideas and makes his paintings more diverse and unique than that of his fellow artists (Mackenzie Thorpe, Paul Horton, Peter Smith & Leigh Lambert to name a few). Doug often paints huge original artworks, which are then carefully captured, scaled down, printed and then signed in order to make his widely loved limited edition prints.

Doug Hyde finds inspiration either through his own emotional experience and responses or through the observation of others; whether it is the overhearing of a phrase, the look of happiness on someone's face or even the love felt for another person he is somehow able to translate it into art. When experiencing such things, Hyde has the mood-driven ability to immediately visualise a picture in his mind. Then, through his immense creative talent as an artist, his visualisations are brought to life in heart-warming imagery - be it original paintings, limited edition prints or sculpture.

**Doug discusses his 'Yours Truly' collection of limited editions, way back in 2008!

...We have a Hyde teaser email going out this week, ahead of the official launch of his latest collection. Without giving too much away, the fabulous new Hyde collection comprises seven limited editions prints and one sculpture.

The email invitation to view Doug's new images for his Spring 2019 Collection will land very soon and features one of the new images - entitled: 'Every Kind Of Love' which is a limited edition of 195 copies.

…New Spring Releases have been launched, aptly just one month after St. Valentine’s day and these fabulous images are ‘Classis Hyde’s’ featuring hearts, hugs and some new characters including a blue whale and a chocolate labrador retriever.

But he has really managed to spoil us with his latest sculpture a coin-operated ride of a fabulous spaceship called ‘Space Cadets!’ one I am sure will go down as a classic ‘must have’ for his many followers, are you one of them?