Chris Franklin OBE
I originally graduated as a dental surgeon and then for some years pursued a hospital career in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Following a Medical Research Council Training Fellowship, I decided to train as a clinical academic and NHS pathologist with a special interest in head and neck disease, and carried out research in aspects of oral cancer and other tumours of the mouth and jaws. From 1998 to 2013, I was a Postgraduate Dean, heavily involved in postgraduate medical and dental education.
I have had a lifelong interest in art and in my early years enjoyed drawing and painting at my grammar school and, as a teenager, went to Saturday morning Art School classes. Before digital presentation programs came along, I occasionally used my drawing and cartoons in lectures and research presentations. I always intended to get back to art and, nearing retirement, I decided to take up watercolour painting. So with no formal training other than joining a local art group guided by a professional artist, I have been developing my style and painting choices, which, at the moment, are fairly eclectic as will be seen from my galleries.