DouglasDouglasFanthomeFanthome

My name is Douglas Fanthome, and I am an artist based in South Croydon, London.

I was born in 1937 in the beautiful city of Lucknow, India, where my family had lived for four generations. I am a proud member of the Anglo-Indian community, with a rich Indian, French, and English background.

After completing an apprenticeship in mechanical engineering, I worked for Metalock (India), a British company in Calcutta for three years repairing large cast iron machinery by a cold process, which was often referred to as metal surgery. This was followed by four years as a technical sales representative for Holman Bros. products. I immigrated to the UK in 1967, where I spent most of my professional life as a draughtsman, working for London Transport for 24 years, the last five years of which were spent as an engineering coordinator on the Jubilee Line Extension.

While working for London Transport, I was privileged to meet Bill Davies, the Chairman of the LT art group. He was also a member of the Wapping Group of Marine Artists. Bill was very encouraging and introduced me to painting "en plein air".

I took early retirement in 1995 after which I completed an Art Foundation course at Croydon College. I was then accepted as a mature Fine Art degree student at the Wimbledon Art College, which I was unable to complete for financial reasons.

My work is mostly figurative and largely influenced by the Impressionists. I have been painting in various media since the mid-70s, and in the 80’s and 90’s, held many solo exhibitions locally.

Recently, however, I have been following the artists Joseph Zbukvic, Vladislav Yeliseyev, Chein Chung Wei and Alvaro Castagnet; all watercolourists. I have also been experimenting with large abstracts in oils and acrylics. My website presents a selection of my art from the 1980s to the present day.

Over the years, other artists have generously offered their support and advice. These include Keith Burtenshaw, Duncan Russell, and most recently, Archie Niven and Margaret Eglinton.

I am presently a member of the Croydon Art Society.