Brigid Ashwood

Andy was born in Buffalo, new York, in 1945. He always loved art. As a boy, he often entertained neighborhood children with his clay models of cities with unique architectural structures. Finger painting in kindergarten was his first and last introduction to formal art training, and he still uses this technique to smooth and blend colors. Andy's love of art and creativity was shared and encouraged by his aunt, an artist and architect. Even though he held non-art jobs such as steelworker, life insurance salesman, car rental Manager, and electronic parts salesman, this could not quell Andy's passion and desire to realize his dream. Once his artistic style was established, he began to mix with his own imagination and experience. The glazing technique of applying thin patches of color on top of another proved to be the best technique for achieving this soft lighting effect. The colors seem to glow on the inside, reinforcing the dreamlike quality. At first, Andy started showing and selling his work gradually. The demand for his art grew to such an extent that in 1991 he fully embarked on the path of the artist and has not looked back since. Traveling has become a pleasant way to test new ideas, as well as sell your work. As his travel experience expanded, so did his palette. He began painting the warm colors of Arizona's red rocks and the cool tropical colors of Maui's beaches. Experiencing new places helped to deepen his understanding of life-its harmony, the diverse ways of expressing beauty, its constant changes, and the wonder that underlies energy. Today, Andy is a signed member of the National Association of acrylic artists (NAPA), headquartered in England, and a member of the Buffalo society of artists. His work is well represented in corporate and private collections in the US and abroad, including GTE, Aero Instruments and Avionics, Armand Castellani (Castellani Museum of art), General Motors, and celebrity artist Peter Max.