Andy Downes

2023

Andy Downes is a local artist based in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.

His work is bold and textural, using energetic marks and thought provoking colour palettes to create visually striking pieces.  His catalogue of work focuses mainly on portraiture and figurative subjects.  His paintings have been shown in exhibitions across Essex and London, his originals and prints collected across Europe.

Self-taught Andy has developed his unique style over the last few years.  A wealth of in studio and on location experiences have given him the opportunity to hone his skills and explore and develop new ones.

Andy was the owner of ‘The little known studio’ in Leigh-on-Sea, a self-funded gallery used as a small working studio and a space for him to exhibit his own work.  He also hosted an array of local artists work. The gallery gave an opportunity to lesser known local talent to showcase and sell their work to the bustling Leigh community.  After two years of successful weekly shows and spurred on by the drive of new ideas, Andy began searching for somewhere bigger to create from.  The new space was found in an unassuming industrial unit tucked away in the heart of Southend.  After 6 months of hard graft and determination the Grainger Road site has been transformed into a perfect, light and airy creative space complete with large workshop, life drawing area and a relaxed lounge area where ideas can be discussed, breaks between creating can take place and finished pieces evaluated.  Only limited by imagination, The Little Known Studio is the creative hub we have all been waiting for.  You can find more on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok by searching Andydownsesart