Exhibition: Andrew Blythe

Andrew Blythe became a full time artist after retiring as an architect in his early 50s.

He has since received awards for his work, which often depicts the landscape in and around his local area of Rye. Blythe was more than happy to talk to me about what we might expect from his new work and about his art in general.

‘I do atmospheric watercolours, mostly landscapes, and seascapes as well,’ Blythe tells me. He describes Turner as his hero and, the influence of Turner on Blythe and his own style is evident in his paintings. The new collection of pieces, while clearly in a similar vein to his previous work, has advanced in style. Blythe explains:

‘There are more skies, and general and open landscape on this occasion, its more atmospheric really; I live in Rye on the Sussex coast and some of the landscapes are open marches around Rye.’ Painting in his local area has secured Blythe a loyal following for his airy, fluid depictions and the medium certainly fits the subject matter.

He also enjoys the technical aspects of working in watercolour: ‘The medium of watercolour suits me very well – it’s very fluid and you have to be very quick at it. It’s not like oil where you can go over previous work and improve it. Either its right first time or not, so it’s quite risky in that way.’

Blythe’s first solo exhibition was back in 2002 and since then he has established an annual exhibition, is a member of the Rye society of artists, and shows frequently at Fountain Gallery.

Blythe’s paintings are quick and yet really capture the moment in which they are painted, and it is this that excites his fans. By the sounds of it his new work promises to be truer to this style than ever, so if these lovely watercolours are for you head to fountain Gallery from 9 October and see for yourself what they are all about.

Exhibition runs 9th-21st Oct; Tue-Sun 11.30am-5.30pm, closed Mon; The Fountain Gallery, 26 Bridge Road, Hampton Court, East Molesey KT8 9HA
www.fountaingallery.co.uk