About

I realised I wanted to paint at a very early age.

I had been fortunate enough to spend my childhood travelling across Europe with my parents. My father, an established portrait painter, endeavoured to take us to every single art gallery, museum, villa, chateau and church between Calais and Milan. As a result of having my eyes opened to the world of art and architecture at such an impressionable age I learnt to develop a discerning eye and an appreciation of beauty.

In order to develop my own artistic language, to forge my own path and move away from portraiture, I started to experiment with abstract painting. The stimulating relationship between shape and colour has been both an enjoyable and rewarding study. I often refer to other artists. for inspiration and the Nicholsons, Matisse, Picasso and the Scottish Colourists are the main influences on the colour and design aspects of my own work. Drawing has naturally progressed to sewn pieces on calico. The effect of the fabric texture on pen and needle has been an important discovery for both disciplines. Sewing is something I have always done, it adds another dimension to the drawings.

Now my family are all grown I have the luxury of time. I spend my days in the studio working on the range of images and I so enjoy creating.

Effie Andreae, October 2021.