Francis Boag

Francis Boag, born in Dundee, began his artistic journey at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in the late 1960s, where he was taught by influential figures like Alberto Morrocco and David McClure. Their impact is clear in his bold use of colour and expressive brushwork. Alongside a successful teaching career in Dundee, Perth, and later as Head of Art at Aberdeen Grammar School, Boag continued to paint, with a significant shift in his style emerging after his move to the North East. His expressionist interpretations of the local landscape began gaining attention in galleries from 1995 onwards.

A major commission from John Lewis in 1999 allowed Boag to take a sabbatical and pursue an MA at Gray’s School of Art, a pivotal moment that deepened his engagement with contemporary art practice. The evolution of his work during this time was met with strong commercial success, leading him to become a full-time professional artist by 2001. Since then, Boag has established himself as a leading figure among the new "Scottish Colourists" generation, exhibiting widely across the UK and internationally in cities such as New York, Paris, Munich, and Sydney. His work is held in prestigious collections in Scotland and Ireland, as well as numerous universities, museums, and corporate collections—including multiple large-scale acquisitions by the Royal Bank of Scotland.

In addition to his gallery success, Boag’s vibrant images have reached global audiences through limited edition prints and charity collaborations. He is the only Scottish artist represented in UNICEF’s Fine Art collection, with his 2015 Christmas card design raising over £35,000 for the organisation. His long-standing relationship with Fraser Gallery St Andrews has seen him participate in numerous solo and group exhibitions, where his joyful, expressive paintings continue to resonate with a diverse international audience.