Website: www.andrewhird.com
I am a painter of traditional subjects in a realist style. Inspiration for my work often comes from places I know and have significance to me, and I am drawn to subjects that include structure and light.
My paintings develop from location studies and reference direct from the environment. I will often walk through a potential area many times looking for a moment or situation that catches my eye. Drawing is a fundamental part of my practice. I find even a rapid pencil sketch will provide a wealth of information and imprints the character of a location in my mind. Given time, I will make more measured drawings or small painted studies of a subject. This allows a deeper connection and the opportunity to notice and record passing effects both natural and man-made.
In the studio this reference material comes together into finished paintings. I particularly enjoy the studio working process with time to contemplate and develop inspiration and information gathered in the environment. Draughtsmanship plays an important part here with an underlying measured drawing forming the structure of every painting. It is important to me that every piece captures my initial excitement in the subject, and hopefully transmits the pleasure I find in sharing it.
ANDREW HIRD
_____________________________________________________________
Born 1966 in Surrey, lives and works on the Isle of Wight
Educated at the RGS, Guildford 1977 – 1984, studied art under Ron Smoothey OBE
Exhibition History
_________________________________________________________________________
2023 - Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Mall Galleries
2023 - Russell Gallery, Putney
2023 - Guildford House, Surrey
2023 - Royal Society of Marine Artists, Mall Galleries
2023 – Chelsea Art Society, Chelsea Old Town Hall
2022 – Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Mall Galleries
2022 – Royal Society of Marine Artists, Mall Galleries
2022 – Broadway Arts Festival
2022 – Chelsea Art Society, Chelsea Old Town Hall
2020 – ING Discerning Eye, Mall Galleries
2019 – ROA Gallery, Pall Mall – solo exhibition ‘Summer 2019’
2019 – Sussex Art Fair, Brighton
2018 – Chelsea Art Society, Chelsea Old Town Hall
2018 – ROA Gallery, Pall Mall – solo exhibition ‘Home and Away”
2018 – Royal Society of Marine Artists, Mall Galleries
2018 – ROA Gallery, Pall Mall – solo exhibition ‘From City to Sea’
2017 – Patchings Festival, Nottingham
2016 – Richmond Art Society, Landmark Centre
2016 – Patchings Festival, Nottingham
2015 – Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Mall Galleries
2015 – Pintar Rapido, Chelsea Old Town Hall
2015 – Richmond Art Society, Vestry House
Prizes and Awards
_________________________________________________________________________
2022 – Frank Herring Award, ROI exhibition, Mall Galleries
2021 – Monkton Arts Prize, Isle of Wight
2017 – Great Art Award, Patchings Festival
2017 – Peoples Choice Award, Patchings Festival
2016 – The Artist Magazine Purchase Prize, Patchings Festival, selected by Ken Howard RA
2015 – Royal Institute of Oil Painters Paint Live First Prize, Mall Galleries
Press and reproduction
_________________________________________________________________________
2019 – Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year, featured artist, Gateshead
2019 – Three artworks reproduced under licence in C4 drama ‘It’s a Sin’
2016 – The Artist Magazine, prize winner feature
Permanent Collections
_________________________________________________________________________
Royal Navy
Contact details
_________________________________________________________________________
13 Melville Street
Ryde
Isle of Wight
PO33 2AF
Telephone: 07584 487679
Email: ahird@mac.com
Website: andrewhird.com
Instagram: