Artstop Studios

Biography

Hi! I’m Dan. I am an artist and illustrator working with a range of materials, scales and subjects from large public art schemes to children’s illustration.

I create artworks for a variety of settings including healthcare, civic spaces, churches and schools and create illustrations for children's literature, heritage trails, fabrics and children's hospital wards. Since 2005, I have completed over 40 art projects and have been honoured with a number of national design awards including the Society for British Interior Design Awards and the Building Better Healthcare Awards.

Much of my public practice is for the healthcare sector. I have been passionate about the power of art in healthcare environments to provide positive distractions for patients since my own recovery from cancer when I was 20.

Whatever the material or subject, my style always has its roots in hand drawn imagery to create striking graphics, delicate line drawings, charming illustrations or quirky repeat patterns.

I live in the beautiful city of York with my wife and family, combining my work with bringing up our 3 children, who have taught me more than I could ever learn in business!

Qualifications

BA (Hons) Fine Art and Art History - Lancaster University

MA (Distinction) Glass - University of Sunderland

2014

Winner: Building Better Healthcare Awards “Best End-of-life Care Development” – for Kirkwood Hospice, Huddersfield

2014

DSDC Gold Award from Stirling University – for Roker and Mowbray Dementia Care Centre, Sunderland

2012

Winner: Building Better Healthcare Awards “Best Use of the Arts” – for Ferndene CAMHS Young Peoples Unit

2012

Winner: SBID International Design Awards “Best Innovation” – for Ferndene CAMHS Young Peoples Unit

2012

Winner: Constructing Excellence in the North-East Awards “Project of Year” – for Ferndene CAMHS Young Peoples Unit

2012

Winner: Design & Health Awards “Best International Mental Health Project” – for Ferndene CAMHS Young Peoples Unit

2011

Winner: Building Better Healthcare Awards “Best Interior Design” – for York Hospital Bereavement Suite, York, North Yorkshire

2011

Shortlisted: Mixology North Awards “Best Public Interior” – for Ferndene CAMHS Young Peoples Unit

2009

Winner: Observer Courvoisier the Future 500

2007

Winner: Pearsons Prize “Best Glass in Architectural Application” – for Eldon Square Bus Station

"The space is light and airy. The artwork is very individual and goes well with the modern new building and looks contemporary."

Ward Manager, Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust on Ferndene

"The artwork is modern, vibrant and eye-catching."

Family member of a patient, Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, on Ferndene

"Thank you to our artist Dan…the artwork is the best I’ve ever seen installed on a Capital project and really does champion how important this is in hospital buildings."

Capital Project Manager, York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust on Malton Diagnostic Centre

"I thought your artwork was outstanding. It really compliments the scheme."

Architect, IBI Group on Malton Diagnostic Centre

"I cannot emphasise enough how fantastic the artwork is! We have had so many positive comments about how uplifting it looks. I think the work in the A&E is particularly impressive as these are such clinical areas and people are surprised to see art there."

Senior Interior Designer, IBI Group on Peterborough City Hospital

"Love all of the artworks you've done on the Frailty Unit at NGH! I even took pictures of them. They're amazing. I'm a student on that ward at the minute and I just love looking at them!"

Student Nurse, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on the Frailty Unit

"Dan has done a fantastic job with the artwork on the glazing, and it really helps to tie in the external courtyard."

Interior Designer, Medical Architecture on Cleadon

"I love the rhythms, the directions, the colours."

Associate Dean of the School of Arts at University Campus Suffolk on Orwell Quay Ipswich

"A surefire talking point is the beautiful artwork by artist Dan Savage of Artstop Studios, appearing throughout the hospital and its grounds."

Building Construction Design on Hopewood Park

"Dan’s art and patterns are carefully woven and integrated into the design – a great way to use them."

Director, Medical Architecture on Hopewood Park

"The art is thoughtful and inspiring, it has taken on board the locality of the hospital and even the poetry, which is inscribed in the wood on the walls in the café, when read aloud, is reminiscent of the sound of the local industry. "

Former patient, Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust on Hopewood Park

"It’s great to see the staff and patients enjoying the art work around the building, especially the main day space and Memory Lane. It always gets people talking and the modern twist on traditional features appeals to a wide age range. It’s certainly enhanced their wellbeing and promoted engagement."

Ward Manager Monkwearmouth Hospital on Roker and Mowbray

"The impact on quality of life for the people with dementia in Roker and Mowbray, with the carefully designed art work has been excellent, promoting conversation and social interaction, reducing isolation and distress and improving orientation – it has had a definite positive impact on mood and behaviour."

Clinical Nurse Manager Dementia Services, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust on Roker and Mowbray

"The striking artwork is great to see, with bright colours and interesting images, so different to the dreary war pictures in the care home. We particularly like Memory Lane."

Family Member of a patient, Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, on Roker and Mowbray