
Artist Series Of Paintings & Prints, Mini Art Collections By Doug Kemp
Sometimes there is more than one piece of work with the same or similar title (each is usually classified in a different series). Also, when working on a theme, occasionally the original title has been changed to protect the innocent. AKAs abound. This is not as confusing as it sounds – after all, this is a visual medium and seeing is believing. Have a look, make notes and ask!
If sufficiently interested in a painting, with a view to buy (no pun intended), just make a request on the contact page to be sent an in-situ. photograph and then to possibly arrange a “live” viewing, if required. Quite a lot of notice will be required to accomodate this, as this will include locating the piece if in storage. It should also be be noted that some pieces are not in Doug’s possession and possibly may still may not even still be in existence.
This page holds Mini-collections of paintings & Artist prints by Doug Kemp.
Magician Series Of Paintings
The Magician. Acrylic painting on paper from the 1990s collection.
Part of a series of paintings called the Magician. The hero of the paintings references a paparazzi photographer from the 1930s known as Weegree who had an uncanny ability to find and photograph a crime scene sometimes even before the police arrived.
Better known as Weegee (his professional name, after a Ouija board), his actual name was Usher Fellig. It turned out that he actually had his radio tuned to the police frequency. His voyeuristic photographs exposed the underbelly of New York City, mixing popular culture with the experience of immigrants and the working classes, catching the attention of both the news media and the fine art community.
“To me a photograph is a page from life, and that being the case, it must be real.” Weegee.
Angels Series Of Paintings
Angels have appeared in works of art since early times, and they have been a popular subject for paintings and sculpture ever since. The appearance of such figures in dreams means that stability is sought in life and that dreamer may have lost their way.
Angels were usually intended, in both early Christian and Islamic art, to be beautiful, though several depictions go for frightening attributes. In art, angels are depicted as omens for good and bad or of the final curtain, when souls are borne away to heaven…..or to elsewhere -after all, what are devils other than fallen angels?
As a matter of theology, they are spiritual beings who do not eat or excrete and are genderless. Many angels in early art may appear to the modern eye to be gendered as either male or female by their dress or actions, but until the 19th century, even the most female looking will normally lack breasts, and the figures should normally be considered as genderless.
The term Angel can, of course, be used as a term of endearment, either to a partner, child or even as a passing exclamation of gratitude to a stranger. Hollywood managed to use the term poignantly in the 1938 gangster movie “Angels with Dirty Faces”.
Doug depicts angels in this series as human beauties, desirable, with no direct reference to religion. However, such classical forms of angels appear elsewhere in his works. He often depicts these in their traditional form (see painting Angels 2 1933) but there are also some examples of transfiguration.
The clearest example of this is in the painting The Putti brothers (below, and in the 2000s and the Dancing Times art series’), where the main subjects of the work are winged Zoot Suited dancers, leaping and flying. They are not to be confused, from their appearance, to them having putty like attributes! Putti are winged infants playing the role of angelic spirits in religious works. They are often shown as associates of Cupid.

“Modern art is a disaster area. Never in the field of human history has so much been used by so many to say so little.”
“Hear, hear – Exactly!”
Doug Kemp
Angels 2 1933
Angels v2 1933. 45 x 50 inches Acrylic painting on canvas depicting John Dillinger.
The central subject is modelled on Johnny Depp. He starred in the 2009 ‘Public Enemies’ movie, where he played John Dillinger. Johhny Depp was convincingly cast in the movie and his physical likeness to Dillinger made it readily apparent that his image should be used in this painting, titled Angels 2. ………. and not a Dirty face between them.
In 1934, the “G-Men” at Hoover’s orders, superimposed John Dillinger’s mugshot over their standard law enforcement silhouette targets. They were still using these into the 1950s.
Angels v1
Angels, v1. 114 x 127 cm – Acrylic painting on canvas from the 2000s & mirror two for one collections
The Putti Brothers
The Putti Brothers. 114 x 127 cm – Acrylic painting on canvas from the 2000s & Dancing Times series
Art In Texas, USA
During the 1980s I took an assignment at MJS International Gallery in Fort Worth, Texas, and produced a small series of paintings. Although a relatively short time was spent there on that occasion, the experience appeared to have had a disproportionate influence. Although, perhaps, it was just resurfacing and reinforcing earlier experiences.
Bigger and brighter fed Doug’s already primed fertile mind, because of so much more potential material being available. He also took a roll of paintings (on paper) over there with him and didn’t bring them home.
Fort Worth Texas Art
Fort Worth is a city in North Central Texas. In the late 19th century, it became an important trading post for cowboys at the end of the Chisholm Trail. Today, it’s a modern city, with international art institutions like the Kimbell Art Museum.
The Fort Worth Stockyards are home to rodeos, and the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame honours pioneers. Heee-Haaa!
Chicago Pop Art 1980s into the 2000s
A planned tour of the Chicago art scene in the late 1980s was cut short by a family bereavement, but other occasions provided stimulus from visits to the sites of modern real life legends and the sites of famous movie scenes also served to enhance the tableaus in the work, incorporating both real and imaginary.
Chicago has always been my favourite city in the United States of America. Its decor and history of real-life gangsters and movie characters are recalled but in vivid colours. For me it was a city where the sun always seemed to shine and didn’t suffer too much from the wind.
Weekend Getaway – Very distant hints of Bonnie & Clyde? Art Series
Weekend getaway series by artist Doug Kemp. – No conscious Bonnie and Clyde influence here and it might just be that the good guys are just be trying to help the Moll with the heart of gold and loud clothes, to break away from the gangsters’ evil grip – after all, our hero/anti hero character IS the one in the white hat.
Spies Mini Collection Of Paintings On Paper
Spies, late 1980s acrylic paintings on paper from the relationship art series. These are not actual spies like 007 but rather observers. The title of the series reflects the subject matters of insufficient trust and love.
Here are characters whose intentions and true emotions are hidden. They are afraid of being hurt at the point where people might truly understand who and what they are. In this type of relationship, people pretend or act in certain ways to hide their own feelings. Shaken, not stirred. Not.
Moving On – Mini Collection Of Paintings
Moving on series by artist Doug Kemp. A reflection of the time and, perhaps, a natural but not necessarily conscious progression from the Divorce series. Resignation to the situation competes with relief, together with the prospect of a new and as yet unknown future.
But a future that is suddenly exploding again with colour with even the suits are getting “louder”. Overt happiness in facial expression now appears more abundant and there’s not a wrinkle in sight, turning that frown upside down. It is believed that there is not a Dorian Kemp portrait in any attic at play in this series.
Moving on V1
Moving on v1. Acrylic painting on canvas from the 1970s & Divorce series. Touch of the Industrial.
The Chase
The Chase. 50 x 45 Inches acrylic painting on canvas from the 1200s collection.

“We are all failures- at least the best of us are.”
James Matthew Barrie, a Scottish novelist, best remembered as the creator of Peter Pan.
“failure club member”
Doug Kemp
Soho Art Series A Mini Collection Of Paintings
Soho Series by artist Doug Kemp. Crime and grime of Soho in the 1950s and 1960s was a part of the British national psyche yet was still on the doorstep of “the establishment”, including The Royal Academy of Art and various galleries.
Newspapers of the time created local anti-heroes that were readily lapped up by a hungry public. The real seedy side could be experienced by a short stroll from the clear light of the veneer of the convention into the dark, yet brightly lit by Neon lights, side streets and alleys.
There is more than one Soho. Once a byword for seedy or risque, Soho in London is now bright and vibrant, which hopefully will keep the ghosts at bay. Soho, also written as Soho is an area in Manhattan in New York City.
Since the 20th century, it has been the location of many artists’ lofts and art galleries. The area’s history is an archetypal example of inner-city regeneration and gentrification, encompassing socio-economic, cultural, political, and architectural developments. There goes the neighbourhood………….
The name “SoHo” derives from the area being “South of Houston Street”, and was coined in the 1960s. The name Soho also recalls an area in London. In the 16th century, this area of central London was a hunting ground, and it is widely claimed that ‘Soho!’ was a cry used either to encourage or to call off harrier dogs when hunting game. It’s a funny old game there now.
Falling From A Relationship
Falling depicted in art? This could indicate that the subject matter is trying to hold on to a situation in life that is not serving their wellbeing. The characters falling in my paintings are bearing hidden insecurities, and social anxieties, or are faced with unstable situations in their lives. Falling figures and the different forms in which they can be depicted also act as a structural device for the whole image.
Falling in love scenes in paintings? – hindsight is a marvellous thing and from that viewpoint, it can’t even be considered a good idea at the time. It’s not necessarily the falling that hurts but the landing. Best to keep falling or learn to bounce and roll, but always wear a crash helmet.
Doug Kemp.
Lady With Feathers in Her Hat, Mini Series
Lady with two feathers in her hat and Lady with four feathers in her hat. These paintings are from the Divorce mini-series of paintings. The two feathers in her hat imply that the woman in the painting can’t have it both ways or she can’t have the best of both worlds. This is very similar to the English proverb: You can’t have your cake and eat it. Four feathers in her hat perhaps means that she has a split personality or is actually holding out for the cake.
However, the placing of a feather in a hat has been a symbol of honour and achievement that has arisen in several cultures – as in the adage: A feather in one’s cap. Although the characters do not appear to be Native American, perhaps they have had some greater achievement other than making a fashion statement or a mating display dance to warrant more than one feather.
Industrial still life paintings on paper
Industrial still life paintings on paper from the 1980s. “Up the workers” had other, sad, connotations at the time. Although not intended as a political comment, there may have been a subconscious influence (as many influences on Doug actually appear to be) by the current industrial relations.
It could also be, of course, just have been the effect of country life and the desire for the city experience or maybe even a celebration of getting away from it?! Spot the Industrial tags throughout this site.
Domestic Bliss Mini collection – The prelude to divorce
Dusting, vacuuming or laughing together while you’re paying the bills, sharing those moments while washing the dishes, such is togetherness…. What could be better than all of this domestic bliss? Maybe an Au Pair would have helped….even a Slo-vac.
Domestic Animals
Domestic Animals. 76 x 81 cm painting on canvas from the 1990s Divorce Domestic Bliss mini collection.
Domestic Animals, V2
Domestic Animals, V2. Acrylic painting on canvas from the 1990s pop-art Divorce Domestic Bliss mini collection.
Viewing Domestic Bliss
Viewing Domestic Bliss. 152 x 162 cm Acrylic painting on canvas from the 1980s found in the Divorce Domestic Bliss mini collection.
Two For One Paintings bogof
Two for One or BOGOF (Buy One Get One Free) is the consumerism of the Supermarket at its best.
The phrase is borrowed here to describe the at least two separate subjects within the work that have been split. Split, as if in a prism, or perhaps as a boss-eyed view through some vertical blinds….or even as a desperately poor reconstruction of the images that have accidentally been put through a shredder.
It is hoped that effect holds the viewer’s attention until they feel they have absorbed all the content and then maybe make a personal appointment to review and possibly review again.
Angels v1
Angels, v1. 114 x 127 cm Acrylic painting on canvas from the 2000s, Angels, Reflections and 2 for 1 collections.
The BirdMan acrylic painting on canvas 114 x 127 cm
The Birdman. No conscious influence by the legend of The Birdman of Alcatraz…..but… Robert Franklin Stroud, imprisoned from 1909 until his death in 1963 was a convicted murderer, prisoner and author who was an infamous criminal in the USA.
Stroud, during his time at Leavenworth Penitentiary, reared and sold birds and became a respected ornithologist, but when transferred to Alcatraz…
Relationships The Art Lovers
Some are self-portrait paintings featuring the alter ego of artist Doug Kemp together with the influences on his imagination. Physical objects, as either personal possessions past or present, or those just “met in passing”, often occupy a place in a corner of the mind that can trigger memories.
These can be either directly connected to, or unassociated with, actual events. Memories are personal and the versions of the reality of the same event from the point of view of other individuals present will not necessarily be the same.
Particular physical objects, if still in existence, maybe a constant jolt to the mind’s eye and may drive the desire to reproduce them in imagery, perhaps in the hope to exorcise their influence or just in celebration. In the end, the reality of the object may not live up to its portrayal. However, versions of some of the same objects reappear in different works.
The Art Lovers
The art lovers. 183 x 137 cm Acrylic painting on canvas from the Art Lovers collection.
Art Lovers Zurich
Art lovers Zurich. Acrylic Painting On Canvas 182 x 152 cm from the 1990s Art Lovers collection.
The Art Of Leger – Series Of Paintings Referencing Fernand Leger’s Style
Tributes to one of my art heroes, a man who inspired me… Fernand Leger.
Fernand Leger was a trail blazer and very much regarded as ‘the forerunner’ of the new and upcoming style of art that is now commonly known as Pop Art. Leger, 1881 – 1955, was a French painter, sculptor and filmmaker who in his early years developed his own form of cubism (known as tubism) which later developed into a figurative style. He was influenced by Medieval and Renaissance painting, the same as Doug, in turn passing the baton.
His character from the painting woman with a book (Painted in 1923) is referenced directly in this series of canvas paintings.

Giclee Artist Prints
Spelt correctly Giclée is a French word for little squirt. This is a digital printing process in which a type of ink-jet printer is used with specialist inks to produce a high quality Art print. As an artist, I feel a Giclee/Giclée print produces a better finish than other types of modern artist printing formats.

Linocut Artist Prints
A Linocut is a relief print that is produced like a woodcut but uses lino as the surface from which the design is carved as a template used for the printing. In making a Linocut, basically your design uses the raised (uncarved) areas for the different inks to print the same picture over and over.

Silkscreen Print Collection
Creating screen prints – The inks are forced through a mesh screen onto the printed surface. This enables certain areas of the screen template to be impervious to the printing ink, in effect creating a stencil. The ink that is able to pass through forms the printed image.
Print Gallery Fly Through Video – 1 of 2
Doug Kemp print gallery collection fly through on YouTube, Part 1 of 2 . Subscribe and click the bell for notification for the next video release.
NightClub Singers Artist Print Collection
The 1920s saw the emergence of many female musicians and singers including African-American blues singer Bessie Smith who went on to inspire women singers from later eras and to this very day.
The video featured here from ‘Babylon Berlin’, a German TV series, encompases just about everything Doug loves about the late 1920s nightclub scene. The music, the vibe and the banana girls. Other fruits are also available.
Babylon Berlin is a German speaking neo-noir television series and is set in the latter years of the Weimar Republic (1929).
The story follows a police inspector on assignment to dismantle an extortion ring, and Charlotte Ritter, police clerk by day, flapper by night, who aspires to become a police inspector herself.
Young Goddesses Portraits As Giclee Prints
The Young Goddesses Mini collection. This collection of paintings and prints features iconic movie stars when they were in their prime. Of the six original paintings, so far 4 have been converted into Giclee prints. Cybill and Ida will be be added to the Giclee collection in due course.
- Painting & Print – Frances Farmer / Lauren Bacall / Brigitte Bardot / Priscilla Presley
- Painting Only – Cybill Shepherd / Ida Lupino
Original Young Goddesses Paintings On Canvas
Artist Prints – The nude collection
Just three examples from the nudes and knickers artist print collection. View more.
Madonna Paintings & Prints
A Madonna (ma-donna) has an obvious religious connection and is a representation of Mary, mother of Jesus in the Christian faith. A church icon and in paintings throughout history, the term has also become a byword for purity and even beauty.
Various depictions have appeared over time, often related to the current fashion.
This collection has only a minor religious influence ( actually more of just an influence of historical religious art). Madonna here also appears to owe her identity partly to the comic character Lady Blackhawk and various war films and to the real, striking, fringe of an ex-art student and friend.
Betty Page also had a nice fringe. As is often the case, the works start to take on their own identity while still in production.
The monuments artist collection – Part of the dancing times art series
The monuments art collection shows Doug’s love of Art Deco architecture. This architecture is still to be found in most cities and towns and particularly at the seaside. Not always noticed and often neglected, it was once the epitome of a brighter hope and confidence between the World wars.
Fashion (even in architecture) changed greatly post WW2, and many great examples were torn down with only a relatively recent revival and desire to preserve them. Now they are more than just monuments to times passed, and even if only the mere facade is kept and the rest has been disemboweled in modernising their utility, that remnant takes its place in the established cityscape. Some of the remaining structures formed reference to the 1950s and 1960s subculture, architecture and principles of modern-day design.
This series also pays homage to the form of the figures and structures in the Medici Chapels in Florence, designed by Michelangelo.
Monuments V1
Monuments v1. AKA Trains, Boats, Planes. 115 x 127 cm Acrylic painting on canvas from the 2000s collection.
Monuments V2
Monuments v2. AKA Paramount. Paramount Pictures was the force behind many glamourous Hollywood movies, although the central structure represented here actually resembles an Odeon. 115 x 127 cm Acrylic painting on canvas from the 2000s collection.
Monuments V3
Monuments v3. AKA The Guardians. 115 x 127 cm acrylic painting on canvas from the 2000s collection.
Mudmen Paintings
This series was inspired by an ancient text by Procopius, who wrote a mainstream military history and a description of the monuments which the Roman Emperor Justinian built. However, he had to keep his most acute writing for posthumous publication.
This text portrays Justinian and Theodora as corrupt, immoral, and just plain evil. The original title of this work was Anecdota. Procopius speculates that Justinian might have been not even human, perhaps vampiric.
He quotes eyewitness accounts of Justinian shapeshifting into a ‘shapeless mass of flesh’ and latterly referred to as a Meat Headed Monster. Any similarity to The Blockheads is purely coincidental!
ORDER NOW – New Limited Edition Giclee Artist Prints (Out Soon)
By popular request, Doug Kemp paintings undergoing conversion into Giclee prints. Register your interest now or place an order.

Peaches
Peaches. Acrylic Painting on Paper 24×24 Inches. Painted in the mid 1990s. Luke found this hidden gem in a roll of paintings. Doug was taken aback, as at the time of painting (25 years ago) he didn’t like it. On reflection he has changed his mind.

Lucy
Lucy. Acrylic painting on canvas and is part of the Nude collection. In process of being reworked as a Giclee print.

Moonlight Hero
Moonlight Hero. Giclee Print. Originally a painting on paper, painted in the late 1990s. Part of the Heroes & Villains artist collection.
Arcadia Series Nude Fine Art Paintings
Arcadia, although also being the name of a region in Greece, as in this series of canvas paintings it also refers to ancient Greek mythology.
Located in the Peloponnese (A geographic region in southern Greece), Arcadia was considered to be a wilderness in which the God Pan resided, along with his dryads, nymphs and other spirits (but not Ouzo at the time).
Nymphs. These are Mythological spirits of nature depicted as a beautiful nude women who inhabit rivers and forests.
Dryads. These are nymphs who inhabit trees.
The God Pan, in Greek mythology, was a deity of the wild, fertility, sexuality and rustic music and taught the shepherd Daphnis to play the Pan flute. In the Arcadia series of paintings, the point of view is that of Pan (so he is not seen). Pan’s traditional appearance in art is that of a Satyr, a more or less bestial in form, and is generally represented as a vigorous and lustful figure having horns, legs, and the ears of a goat. However, his mother still loved him.
Pan had a mighty roar and could display excessive speed without tiring, he had the ability to travel between Mount Olympus and the human realm at any time he chose.
Pan also had the ability to transform objects into something else or other forms. And is known for his varility and for possessing a great sense of humor.
Don’t Panic! The modern word “panic” in actual fact comes from the God Pan. In mythology Pan, helped his ally in battle by letting out a mighty roar. This cry scared the enemys which caused them to retreat in terror. Pan’s cry during battle would later become the origin of the word panic.
Pan’s main weakness was that of lust, forever chasing after nymphs & dryads. Because he was a satyr, (Half man, half goat) he was considered unattractive despite always being constantly sexually arowsed and virulent. Pan was blinkered as was only able to comprehend the lighter and happier human emotions, the causality of pain and suffering were completely alien to him.
The 1980s & The Sitcoms Paintings
Painted in the 1980s. A developing style at a time where when some people chased each other around in big spaces and canvases and minds needed a treat and not just the exercise.
In contrast to the Cityscapes, landscapes and vegetation are now often the order of the day and the bright yellows and reds have given way to greens but not knowingly dabbling in Veganism. A chase or just plain “seeking” features in the representation of the characters and, unusually, they do not dominate the works in their proportions. They are, however, still critical in the telling of the tale.
The sizes given for these paintings might not be accurate but it is believed the approximate size of all the pieces is around 122 cm (48 inches).
Discovering The West Country
Discovering the West Country. Acrylic painting on canvas from the 1980s Sitcom collection.
Breaking Up The Happy Home
Breaking up the Happy Home. Acrylic painting on canvas from the 1980s Sitcom collection.
Art Collections
Six decades as an artist with nearing 500 peices of artwork from Doug Kemp on this site. The artist collections help sort this wealth of modern popular art into some form of order.