Davis, Courtney (1946-)

Artist Courtney Davis, a major voice in the contemporary revival of Celtic Paganism, was born on October 31, 1946, in Blackwood, South Wales. He grew up in London where he attended Bransbury School for Boys. Much of the normal activity pursued by males was denied to him due to chronic back problems, and as a young man in the late 1960s he had to have major surgery on his back. During the period of recovery he had the first of a series of mystical experiences. He felt that his departed grandmother was massaging his body bringing healing powers to bear. He then had a vision of the wall of a hospital ward opening to a brilliant light and otherworldly beings. A group of monks surrounded him and appeared to carry out an operation on his back. In the midst of their work, they lifted him above his physical body as they probed his internal past.

Since that operation, though he was not completely healed, he was able to develop his artistry and continue his career to the present. During this time he has saturated himself in Celtic lore and beginning in 1984, with his self-published volume, Merlin the Immortal, has written and/or illustrated a number of books. Several of his books are entirely devoted to Celtic art and design. Others, such as The Celtic Tarot (1990) and Pathway through the Labyrinth (1988), focus more directly on esoteric themes. He has also illustrated several volumes of Celtic Pagan lore.

Davis' art was widely displayed in Europe in the early 1990s and he held his first American exhibit in 1995. He was the guest of honor for the 1998 Celtic Festival in Tokyo. Most recently, his art has been transferred to stained glass by American artist Mark Duro. Davis has a webpage exhibiting his art at http://www.celtic-art.com/.

Sources:

Davis, Courtney. The Celtic Tarot. London: Thorsons, 1990.

——. Merlin the Immortal. London: Spirit of Celtia, 1984.

——. Pathway through the Labyrinth. Shaftesbury, Dorset, UK: Element Books, 1988.