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    Art for every occasion and every life stage

    Painter, born Christopher James Hamilton Blake, Shanghai, China. He attended Saint Martins School of Art, 1951-52, and also took lessons from family or those he met while traveling who were established artists. His use of colour and depth intensified as he developed his style and technique, while navigating through his journey through disability, illness and homelessness. Following an ischemic stroke in 1979, his style of work changed considerably, and adopted an increasingly religious theme, considered as dark and possibly even morose by some. When looking at his paintings closely, one can see symbols of calmness, hope, kindness and love in scenes of horror and terror. An avid traveller, gem seeker; a devout Christian and modern-day impressionist. From botanical illustrator to expressionist artist, he painted daily until his death at 56 years of age.

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    Discover the Life and Work of Christopher Blake

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    Depression in the epitome of hopelessness. A hell on earth, in which irrational thoughts take control of the mind and order. Help is vital for these people, and the best cure is love and patience. By Christopher James Hamilton Blake

    DEPRESSION, Oxford, 1983

    Wild roses in the New Forest, Hampshire, England. By Christopher James Hamilton Blake

    WILD ROSES, Ringwood, 1985

    In early days, the Albatross was said to be the soul of dead mariners. Indeed, life is a voyage, hopefully of discovery - many fail, few succeed. All depend on the goodwill within the crew of the ship. The albatross represents the cross of suffering. By C

    THE ALBATROSS, Oxford, 1982

    City & Landscapes Collection

    Many of Christopher's paintings were from memories of scenes in early lifeEXPLORE CITY & LANDSCAPES COLLECTION
    Annandale - The old land of the Blake's - after moving from Liverpool, the family amassed a fortune, studied chemistry, produced many copyrights and owned plantations in Guiana.   William Blake alludes to this area. By Christopher James Hamilton Blake

    ANNANDALE, Dumfries, 1986

    A visit to Taunton, Somerset with George and James. We stayed next to an orchard full of sweet Cox's apples. By Christopher James Hamilton Blake

    TAUNTON, Somerset, 1982

    Town of Chania on the Greek island of Crete during a visit with George and James. The smell of fresh fruit at the markets was intoxicating. By Christopher James Hamilton Blake

    CHANIA, Crete, 1982

    Expressionism Collection

    Themed around those Christopher met, family, his disability and religious beliefsEXPLORE EXPRESSIONISM COLLECTION
    I despair not. My cry for help is heard and I am delivered away from my troubles. For it is not the Lord who always stands by my side but the gift with whom I was born. By Christopher James Hamilton Blake

    DESPAIR, Oxford, 1982

    The brains circuitry is long and complex. Its integrity can succumb to pressure just as it can be infiltrated by parasites. By Christopher James Hamilton Blake

    CIRCUITRY, Oxford, 1984

    The birth of ritual and ceremony that turn the great into cavorting clowns. Itchy grubs in procession along with the Princes of this world. By Christopher James Hamilton Blake

    RITUAL, Leighton Buzzard, 1983

    Genre Scenes & Still Life Collection

    Christopher's passion for observing people, their actions, behaviours, dialect, and emotionsEXPLORE GENRE SCENES & STILL LIFE COLLECTION
    Preparing the ground for the laying of sleepers and track is back breaking work particularly in the unforgiving summer heat. By Christopher James Hamilton Blake

    PREPARING THE GROUND, Beenleigh, 1967

    Railway stations are a microcosm of people everywhere. Some coming, some going, young and old, displaced and unwell. By Christopher James Hamilton Blake

    RAILWAY STATION, London, 1983

    Mother and fathers house in Oxford prior to them moving into my brother-in law and sisters house at Linton Road. By Christopher James Hamilton Blake

    HIGHFIELD AVE, Oxford, 1979

    Portraits Collection

    Christopher's paintings often express a view beyond that of the human eyeEXPLORE THE PORTRAITS COLLECTION
    My dear identical twin. Carer, confidant and friend. For being a twin I am blessed.  By Christopher James Hamilton Blake

    GEORGE, Leighton Buzzard, 1984

    The Church Army Hostel in Oxford, for homeless men and women, was the place Gilbert Davies lived for many years as a long term resident. I resided there for a little over year prior to my first stroke. I listened to many a sad story from fellow residents.

    GILBERT DAVIES, Oxford, 1980

    Self Portrait - CJH Blake By Christopher James Hamilton Blake

    SELF PORTRAIT CJH Blake, Oxford, 1981

    Religious Collection

    Christopher believed in God, that there is a Devil, Heaven and HellEXPLORE THE RELIGIOUS COLLECTION
    Bearing life's burdens. The crutch or the cross? By Christopher James Hamilton Blake

    BURDEN BEARING, Oxford, 1982

    The tomb of Lazarus was his own mind and body. Christ described death as sleep and miraculously reinvigorates him. Compassion helps people live more fully. All religions offer hope to the bereaved. With all of Lazarus's wealth, nobody would exchange it fo

    TOMB OF LAZARUS, Oxford, 1982

    Eternity is part of ourselves. Time involves the material universe, but reality is a mystery beyond our perceptions. Ages come and go, and we know little about consciousness. We await somebody who can step out from the masses with new perceptions of life

    ETERNITY, Oxford, 1981

    Botanical Illustrations

    Christopher undertook botanical illustrating while living and working in SarawakEXPLORE THE BOTANICAL COLLECTION
    ORCHIDS, Sarawak, 1955

    ORCHIDS, Sarawak, 1955

    ORCHIDS, Sarawak, 1955

    ORCHIDS, Sarawak, 1955

    ORCHIDS, Sarawak, 1955

    ORCHIDS, Sarawak, 1955

    For your home

    A selection of Christopher's work are available as high quality Giclée prints, either framed or unframed. Enjoy his paintings at home or workShop now
    Our history is coupled by wars, calamities, disasters, and great examples of courage. The casualties are stupendous. The imperial war museum records many triumphs and defeats right up to these days. At the beginning of the Second World War I was 9 years o

    IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM, London, 1983

    SELF PORTRAIT & AN ORCHARD

    SELF PORTRAIT & AN ORCHARD

    SCOTTISH CORRIES, 1983

    SCOTTISH CORRIES, 1983

    The Life of Christopher Blake

    Our history is coupled by wars, calamities, disasters, and great examples of courage. The casualties are stupendous. The imperial war museum records many triumphs and defeats right up to these days. At the beginning of the Second World War I was 9 years o
    Young Christopher

    Christopher's artistic skills developed from a young age and intensified when he became aquitanted with family in England who were respected artists

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    When working in the Queensland heat one had to be careful if a piece of railway track were dropped by the gang. Dropped track would jump and wriggle like rubber causing great injury to anyone nearby. We would regularly take smoko breaks and discuss each o
    Africa, Asia & Australia

    After completing his schooling (1948) at Hurstpierpoint College in West Sussex, Christopher's nomadic period of life took him to East Africa, Sarawak, Australia and New Zealand

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    Depression in the epitome of hopelessness. A hell on earth, in which irrational thoughts take control of the mind and order. Help is vital for these people, and the best cure is love and patience. By Christopher James Hamilton Blake
    Post Ischemic Stroke Life

    Many of his paintings depict periods of despondency from the period he resided at the Church Army hostel for the homeless, various hospitals and rehabilitation centres in Oxford. During this era he painted many portraits of individuals who had stories of cruelty and hardship to share

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    The brains circuitry is long and complex. Its integrity can succumb to pressure just as it can be infiltrated by parasites. By Christopher James Hamilton Blake
    Christopher's Legacy

    The appreciation for his art increased after Christopher's death. The Christopher James Hamilton Blake Art Collection was founded in 2009 by his nephew James

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    "COLOUR BRIGHTENS MY WORLD"

    Christopher's use of colour brightens a room

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    Christopher Blake Art Collection

    1960's Australia

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    Christopher's Stories

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