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This site will look much better in a browser that supports web standards, but it is accessible to any browser or Internet device.Artist Info 3'Krishna and the Milkmaid' "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 color, 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 
Foreword to St. Patrick - A Visual CelebrationText by Father Dennis O'Neill In the Celtic belief system, there are times in the year when the veil separating this world from the other is considered thinner than at other times. It is believed that, at these times, it is easier for humans to slip from one side to the other. The quarterly lunar festivals are such times. And it is thought that the thinnest space of all comes at Samhain, Celtic New Year, which takes place on the night between Halloween and All Saints Day. Perhaps Courtney Davis. can pass through the "veil" so effortlessly because he is himself a Celt, born to parents of Welsh, Scottish, and Irish descent on October 3lst, 1946. While his birth place was Blackwood, South Wales, he grew up in London. Alas, throughout his life, he has suffered from back problems and is registered as, disabled. After three years of employment as a designer for one of England's largest jewelry manufacturers, he was in such pain that he had to have major spinal surgery in order to keep going. It was during the painful period right after his first surgery that he had the first of series of mystical experiences, which completely changed his life. It began with the sensation that his departed grandmother was manipulating and massaging. his left leg and foot which had lost feeling from the -surgery to accelerate the healing process. This was followed by a vision in which the wall suddenly opened, allowing the hospital ward to be filled with radiant light, smoke, and Otherworld beings. They were monks, who surrounded him and began a three-hour operation manipulating and cutting out sections of his back, and in a few minutes later replacing them. Lifting him above his own body, whenever they were working on any of its inner parts., This extraordinary experience had a threefold result. Even though he eventually had to have a more back surgery in the future, he had been basically well enough to have maintained a continuous creative outpouring for the last twenty years. In 1987 after creating. black and white images for the previous ten years, he began to paint Wonderful things with aid of spirit lights that guided his hand. 
'As Above, So Below' Entirely self-taught using gouache and ink, he has turned out increasingly remarkable Celtic art, in a flow that has been ever gushing and ever fresh in imagination and design. Over thirty books have resulted thus far, culminating in his present masterpiece, the Book of Patrick. Just as the ancient Druids and Bards went through twenty years of rigorous training before they were considered fully qualified to practice their skills, so Courtney feels that, with producing of this book, his art is now being elevated to a new level of maturity. He also found that he had the ability to be used for healing and successfully worked in various churches and hospitals until the art took more and more of his time. Courtney's life's' work is likely being launched into a new future, whose artistic outpouring will even more manifestly be guided by and more easily give access to the Celtic Otherworld, from which it emerges. 
'Green Man' featured in His work has been exhibited widely in Western Europe and was introduced to Chicago in 1995 at his first American exhibition. He has since exhibited regularly in the USA and in 1998 was the guest of honor at the Tokyo Celtic Festival. Future exhibitions and lectures are being planned for Norway, France, Italy, Australia and California. Not only have many of his pictures appeared in his books, but some of the designs are now being re-created in glass by renowned Illinois artist Mark Duro. By now, many of Courtney's original pieces can be located in private and institutional collections, in chapels and in museums, where they are a source of inspiration, meditation, and healing for his patrons and friends. |
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