Chris Bacon

Chris Bacon: CANADA, B. UNITED KINGDOM, 1960 - 2026

As a child, Chris Bacon began sketching a variety of wildlife while on his travels to Fiji, Ascension Island, and Bermuda. In 1974, his family settled in Canada, where he continued to reside. At age 19, Bacon exhibited 22 watercolors at the Alice Peck Gallery in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. Every painting sold on the night of the opening. In 1982

Chris began his lifelong representation at Beckett Gallery/Beckett Fine Art in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; the same gallery who began Robert Bateman’s extraordinary career and continues to represent them both. Bacon has worked primarily in watercolor and alkyd since he was a teenager.

He has been well known for his wonderful depictions of birds from all over the world. Bacon takes months in near isolation in his studio to complete each individual work, which he has previously researched and sketched extensively in the field. Bacon’s works are often small in size, intricately and carefully detailed in a style that is distinctly his own. The artist has received numerous awards, including five Awards of Excellence from the Society of Animal Artists.

Bacon exhibited his art in numerous public gallery/museums in the USA, Canada and Europe. He was an active member of many conservation organizations throughout his life.

The art world has lost a brilliant and inspiring artist and friend. His work will continue to live on as his important legacy.

Robert Bateman reflects on Bacon’s work: “The world has lost an elegantly creative artist with the death of Chris Bacon at the relatively young age of 65. His creatures, which were mostly birds, are scientifically accurate, because he had a “good eye” and a birder’s understanding of the look of each species. His use of empty space is sophisticated andreminiscent of the rectangles of Marc Rothko’s art. When viewing Chris’ paintings one is left with a refreshing feeling of peace and openness.”

Tom Beckett, Beckett Fine Art: “Chris deserves a grand honour and tribute. I've known Chris since we were both 22 years old. A long and close friendship and working relationship. He was a quiet, humble, classy Canadian & international artist who followed his path his entire life in Art. No other artist did what Chris did. He created masterpieces and his subject was most often birds.  Stunning and unique compositions and an eye like no other. Chris's death is such a loss for Burlington, Ontario, Canada and internationally.”

Dan Lawrie: “To say that Chris had “an eye for detail” would be a gross understatement. A Master artist, incredibly and uniquely talented…always true to himself, Chris gave all of us in the world who appreciate nature and art, the wonderful gift of his amazing paintings. His clear sense of purpose from an early stage of his life, provide a window into a world that we would otherwise never have seen. What a tremendous legacy of joy and wonderment he has left us! Those who knew him personally, loved his wonderful, quirky sense of humour, and his constant inquisitiveness about the world around him. Always humble and understated about his immense success, Chris will be terribly missed, but he will live on through his exceptional creative work. I was honoured to have known him, and blessed to be the fortunate owner of some of his ar”t.

Matt Foss, Director, Leigh Oakley Woodson Art Museum: “As talented as Chris Bacon was as an artist, he was an even better person. He treated fellow artists, Woodson Art Museum staff, visitors, and volunteers with kindness, dignity, and respect. Besides his outstanding work, his character will live on in the collective memory of all who had the pleasure to know him."  

Please direct inquiries about Chris Bacon’s art to Tom Beckett, info@beckettfineart.com 416-922-5582