Painting with Pride

Bloomsbury artist Chris Lloyd @chrislloydart has been busy during lockdown producing his usual wonderful array of paintings, including this latest work of his local book shop, the historic Gay’s the Word in Bloomsbury.

Chris was inspired to produce the painting after being a frequent patron of the world famous book shop which holds many fond memories for him.

“I live just down the road from Gay’s The Word – and I remember the first time I went into the bookshop. With its rows of badges on the walls, its shelves stacked with postcards, books, flags, films, T-shirts, magazines… it felt like the warmest, most welcoming gay space, and a proper slice of queer history in London. I couldn’t wait to draw it.”

Chris’s watercolor captures all the fun little quirks of the store, and he is really proud to be giving back to the community by selling these high-quality giclée prints.

Together with the owners of the bookshop, Chris chose a local LGBTQ+ charity to support. For every print sold, a donation of £10 is made to @openingdoorslondon – a local charity that supports LGBTQ+ people over 50.

The paintings are available in a limited run of 50 giclée prints, all hand-signed, numbered and mounted.

You can pick up one of these limited edition prints here and help support Chris, Gay’s the Word, and Opening Door London in this great cause.