AN ASHWELL artist’s work is on display at Letchworth Arts Centre this month.
Andrew Strange’s Every Picture Tells a Story features a collection of works depicting scenes from the life and legend of Robin Hood.
The paintings were created between 1981 and 1984, for a book Andrew had been writing about his boyhood hero, with each painting taking around six weeks to complete.
The 68-year-old artist explained: “My inspiration has always been from feelings and images that come from within me and the vision I’m trying to communicate is that of a child who sees the world as from an open window instead of through glass that has layers upon layer of conceptual grime obscuring the simplicity and purity of creation.”
“For this reason, I have consciously avoided being influenced too strongly by anyone. The art of seeing is, I believe, less a process of learning and more one of un-learning.”
With a background in farming, gardening and tree surgery, the self-taught painter was born in Gloucestershire, but has lived in Ashwell since 1983.
He has had previous exhibitions in both Digswell and Ashwell, with one of his paintings being bought by comedienne Ruby Wax, who lives locally.
However, Andrew has said it is unlikely he will put any of the Robin Hood paintings up for sale. He admitted: “They are so personal that I feel a bit reluctant to let them go at present.”
The artist is now working on two more illustrated books, one on Joan of Arc and the other on Bonnie Prince Charlie. He always wants, he says, to paint the image that is “freshest”. “So in some ways I have no idea what will be my next painting.”
The Letchworth exhibition will run until Wednesday, January 27, at the arts centre, 2 The Arcade, Letchworth.