The Archbishop of Canterbury, Cherie Blair and the Duke and Duchess of Calabria were just some of the guests at the unveiling of the latest paintings by distinguished local artist Christian Furr last week.

The artist, who lives in Ham and works out of a studio in Kingston, spent a year painting the Cardinal of Westminster, Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, and the bishops of Lancaster and Westminster.

The paintings will now hang in Archbishop's House in Westminster Cathedral.

Mr Furr said he enjoyed the whole experience: "It was fantastic. I love the classical artists, like Titian, so I was in my element.

"To spend time with such spiritual people was great. I was even invited to Rome by the Cardinal," he added.

Seven years ago, Mr Furr, now 35, became the youngest artist ever to paint the Queen.

She sat for him in the Yellow Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace and the painting now hangs at the Royal Overseas League Headquarters in St. James, London.

Mr Furr has been short-listed to paint the tennis playing couple Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, but his next work will be to paint the Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix's photographer Gered Mankowitz.

To see more of Mr Furr's work go to www.christianfurr.com

July 9, 2002 11:30