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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Royal Navy

Contact details

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13 Melville Street

Ryde

Isle of Wight

PO33 2AF

Telephone: 07584 487679

Email: ahird@mac.com

Website: andrewhird.com

Instagram: 

Instagram.com/andrew.hird