NEW Milton artist Andy Blake makes his 15th visit to the Regent Centre in Christchurch with his distinctive Oil paintings, from Saturday 6 to Friday 26 May.
Andy is a former chief surveyor with the Ordnance Survey in Bournemouth who took early retirement in 1999 to devote more time to his art and becoming firmly established on the local scene as a full-time artist.
A totally self-taught artist working in Oils, Andy specialises in land and seascapes bringing finely tuned cartographic skills to his paintings, characterised by close observation of his subjects, depth of colour and full use of light.
Apart from scenes of Christchurch and other local areas, his work takes in studies of coastal views, boats, and larger atmospheric seascapes. In particular the movement of waves and water are striking features of his work. This year's exhibition, entitled ‘Land & Sea’, will be a mix of work to include paintings of the Cornish coast; Charleston Harbour; River at Dartmouth; Needles from Steamer Point and a perspective of the new Bembridge Lifeboat Station and Pier on the Isle of Wight. The Exhibition can be viewed in the foyer during the Regent Centre’s normal opening times.
Andy is on the Committee of the Christchurch Arts Guild and is a member of CAD Arts (Christchurch and District Arts). He exhibits in their annual group shows at the Red House Museum, Kings Hotel and Priory House and for several years has also held his own annual exhibitions at the Hayloft Gallery in Wick Lane and Place Mill on Christchurch Quay. His work has also been accepted at previous open events at Highcliffe Castle and the St Barbe Museum, Lymington.
He favours commissions with enthusiasm, having built a growing reputation for this work over recent years, to include private boats and houses as well as special requests for certain views. Examples of his work now hang in private collections in Australia, South Africa, USA and Poland.
Although Andy started painting full-time in 1999, he first took up oils in 1981 with his first major work being a scene of Corfe Castle for an anniversary present for his parents, which is now inherited and still hangs proudly today!
Regent, Christchurch
01202 499199
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here