PAINTER

If ever an artist had a story to tell Andrew Burns Colwill’s life would fill 10,000 pages. Born on a leafy street in centre of Clifton, Bristol, he was unaware of how addiction and friends were soon to play an integral role in the twisting of his life ahead.

A full insight of this artists life could have been viewed through the hundreds if not thousands of pieces of artwork he has spent his life creating, if indeed the artist had had the foresight to catalogue just a tenth of his work. On the surface his subject matters have been executed with a raw precision not often seen due to the technical nature of painting directly onto the artists preferred medium of untreated canvas. In the early days this technique was thrust upon him, unable to afford the materials that the majority of other painters were using.

Andrew skilfully developed his technique, utilising materials such as curtain lining that he stretched over hand made frames and household paints which have now become his preferred tools. Unbeknown to the artist his technique ‘soak stain’ showcased by artists such as Helen Frankenthaler, Jackson Pollok & Morris Louis had it’s feet firmly embedded in the world of Abstract paintings, Andrew has unwittingly taken this generally imprecise technique and turned it on it’s head creating contrast layers of subtle composition with skilfully fine detailed work.

Andrew’s skill as a set painter had taken him from his non traditional mural painting in the 80’s on the streets of Bristol to the suburbs of Greece decorated with his interpretation of the world. Family ties returned Andrew to Bristol five years ago, with the support of his partner, Andrew continues to build a loyal following of collectors of his beautiful work.