THE ARTS

centre and ask which are the varieties of real tree that you can plant in the garden and re use each year. Another alternative would be to make a homemade tree. Just do an online search for ‘pallet Christmas trees’ if you’re short of inspiration! Other options could involve suspending paper cut Christmas trees or kirigami or origami shapes from coat hangers hung on the back of a door, from a picture hook, on a chimney breast or in a window.

If you live in an urban environment, do not have access to parks or open spaces or lack the time to dedicate to producing hand-made options then try second hand selling sites such as Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Depop, Secondhand and Vinted.

Freecycle, Olio and Gumtree might provide used decorations or crafting materials for free in return for collecting them, alternatively why not offer your Facebook or Instagram friends a swap, your old decorations in return for theirs, as a novel way to gain a new look without having to travel very far.

If you like the idea of hand crafting items or have children that enjoy being creative, save on expensive and typically non-recyclable, shiny wrapping paper by using brown paper to which they could add a stamp, pretty, colourful ribbon, personalised tag or drawing.

When it comes to styling the house, be mindful that less is more. Keep it natural and understated by using as much greenery, glass and wood as possible, then give selected arrangements more prominence by adding a colourful ribbon or metallic bauble. Mirrors reflect light and can be used to give prominence to smaller arrangements. Tall candles can give height to a display and can make excellent alternatives to advent calendars with the use of a fine tipped marker to add the numbers 1-24 from top to bottom.

This Christmas, in the face of the cost of living crisis, high energy bills and uncertainty about the economic climate in 2023, it’s essential that we all remember that having baubles in matching colours, illuminated reindeers in the garden and expensive presents under the tree is unlikely to be what we remember most about Christmas 2022.

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Doug Hyde artist profile: Meet the man behind the smile

Since Doug Hyde’s first collection was published in 2003, the smile he introduced us to has become iconic and the popularity of his work has continued to climb.

His characters have a childlike appeal and his style captures a warmth and comfort that draws us into a truly joyful world. While this style has been consistent throughout Doug’s work, every new collection he releases brings something slightly different for us to explore and enjoy.

The Life Born in Bristol in 1972, Doug Hyde created paintings for family and friends in his spare time before releasing his first collection to the public. Despite his own reservations, in 2005 - just a couple of years after releasing his first collection - Doug was named the UK’s biggestselling artist and described by the BBC as the UK’s most popular living artist.

Doug’s work continues to be inspired by family and friends - he tells how the Masters of Disguise collection was influenced by, “My son’s request for a painting of Spiderman combined with my own love of vintage concepts to take me back to the ‘70s”. And the Rural Retreat collection grew from the new life he and his family created with their move from Bristol to Gloucestershire.

This countryside living has provided Doug and his family with a very different perspective on life, yet his focus on those closest to us means the visions he shares in his works has retained the same warmth and affection we love.

As well as three children, Doug’s family now includes Nancy the Great Dane, a herd of Alpaca, chickens and eight cats. While he explains the expansion of their entourage has been - at times - unexpected, he explains, “The animals are a great way to make the most of your environment as they force you to go outside whatever the weather. Checking up and locking them in last thing at night is a lovely way to finish the day.”

The Work Having published his first work almost 20 years ago, Doug Hyde says that he still creates art for the same reason he did then, “because it is my passion; because I love it.”

His style is clearly recognisable, with welcoming smiles and open arms conveying a positivity and warmth we’re all drawn to. The combination of bright colours, engaging characters and intimate moments bring to mind illustrations of childhood, which may go some way to explaining the appeal his work has across the generations.

Recognising the confidence and reassurance he has gained from his many collectors, Doug has declared his gratitude to them, saying, “I feel very fortunate that you like and relate to my drawing style, technique, humour and sense of fun – we share a connection and an enjoyment in art and perhaps in life as well.” He does, however, also recognise a need to forget about those who are buying his work when he is creating, ensuring that his pieces are directed by his passion.

The comfort and care resonating through his work are provoked by the positive emotional responses Doug captures. It is no surprise that he has chosen to make use of these instinctive tender responses to support organisations which are important to him. Over the years Doug has used his artwork and creativity in a number of ways to raise money and awareness for charities such as Children in Need, the NSPCC and local organisations Families for Children, St Peter’s Hospice and Look Good, Feel Better.

As his life has changed, Doug tells us that his work also changes and evolves with new ideas constantly flowing. We see that within his collections, with characters in new settings - these exciting developments encourage us to wonder what will come next!

The Future Doug Hyde has produced work which comes from the heart and reaches out to those who see it. While the familiarity of his characters and style are reassuring, the new stories and variety in his use of different media (sculpture, print, neon and more), give us new ideas to explore.

Celine Lee Gallery Correspondent www.therosegallery.co.uk