2nd Place, 2023 Oils Competition
Andy Eccleshall, Rialto Sky, oils. © Andy Eccleshall, shared with permission.
Andy Eccleshall
Andy Eccleshall's landscapes are all about light, mood, and atmosphere. He wants the viewer to feel his paintings — the sky, wind, rain, clouds, and mist — to feel as if they are experiencing the scene. "When someone looks at one of my paintings and says 'I know what that day feels like,' I know I've succeeded in what I'm trying to capture," Eccleshall says.
Andy Eccleshall, Chesaw Winter, oils. © Andy Eccleshall, shared with permission.
"My work is about atmospheric, representational landscapes. I'm inspired by drama in nature and contrasts in light and form. I'm fascinated by atmosphere, light, and weather, and the moods they create," he says.
Eccleshall's visceral connection to nature stems from his childhood. His work shows the influence of growing up in Stafford, England, a landscape of rolling hills, pastoral beauty, and mist enshrouding farmlands, pastures, and moors. These were a constant source of inspiration to the young artist.
Andy Eccleshall, Independent Thinker, oils. © Andy Eccleshall, shared with permission.
He became a professional artist at the age of 16, specializing in architectural illustration and landscape painting, and graduated with honors in illustration from the University of Plymouth (Exeter).
Eccleshall moved to the U.S. in 1994, eventually settling in Edmond, Washington. He travelled extensively, taking in the natural beauty everywhere he went. "I was dazzled by the enormous contrasts in the landscapes across the country," he says, "and the beauty of the changing seasons against the never-ending and ever-changing landscape. This country, and especially the Pacific Northwest where I live and work, provides a wealth of inspiration."
Andy Eccleshall, Aqueous, oils. © Andy Eccleshall, shared with permission.
His process begins with plein air color studies and sketches which serve as the basis for paintings he creates in his studio. "I try to transfer the energy and accuracy from my work in the field to my studio work, to convey the same sense from one to the other."
He has been featured in numerous art publications including American Art Collector, International Artist Magazine, and Southwest Art Magazine. He has participated in solo and group shows and exhibitions, and his award-winning work can be found in public and private collections. His painting, Above it All, won 2nd Place in Art and Color 365's 2023 Landscapes Competition.