In the early part of 2017, when we were putting together Andrew's first ever solo show, Strokes of Colour at the Corke Gallery, Andrew was busy editing and proofing the final copy for his new book, A Short Book About Painting.
We knew that he was planning to use both historical examples as well as his own works to illustrate the points he was making throughout the book. The final selection of his own paintings to be used in the book went to the deadline because he was still painting new works right up to the day when the text for the book was signed off.
When we selected the paintings, hung the show and ran the exhibition, we had no idea which works were going to be featured in the book so endeavoured to show as many of Andrew's painting as we could! The final hang, because there were several before we settled on what worked, featured 108 original oil paintings on canvas ranging in size from 50cm x 40cm to large works measuring 100cm x 100cm.
Views of the 5 gallery spaces at the Corke Gallery in Liverpool during the Strokes of Colour exhibition
Over half the paintings in the show were sold and Andrew used the opportunity to donate the profits to ARNI the charity for stroke survivors who taught him how to use the strengths he still had to the best effect. Just over £30,000 was donated to help them continue the important work they do. Many of the paintings sold were bought by people throughout the UK in England, Scotland and the Hebrides and Wales as well as in Switzerland, France, Holland, Switzerland and the USA.
Following on from Andrew's 2013 book about A Short Book About Drawing, this latest book, A Short Book About Painting, is a provocative, political and instructive book but its also a great resource for amateur painters and a must read for anyone fascinated by the creative process and the limits of human artistic achievement.
REVIEWS
A Short Book About Drawing sold really well and has recently been republished.
Read review in The Guardian
A Short Book About Painting has also sold well and received positive reviews in the press including:
The Independent who included it in its Best Art Books of 2017.
Radio 2 Listen to Andrew talking about his art on the Steve Wright Show
The Times (sadly most of the article is behind their paywall)
Both books are available for most good book shops or you can click the links below to get it from Amazon.