Artist lifting spirits in World of Glass exhibition

Andrew Alan Johnson has had a love of art throughout his life but made the decision to work on his painting full time seven years ago.

The self-taught artist managed to overcome the adversities posed throughout lockdown, including having his usual opportunity to have work displayed at the Cheshire Art Show cancelled two years in a row.

One of Andrew's works at the World of Glass

The 47-year-old, who featured in the Star after he auctioned off a painting to thank NHS staff last year, has stayed true to his gift through that time.

"I was working in graphic design but I didn't feel fulfilled with it so in 2014 I took a leap of faith and started painting," said Andrew, who studied a degree in animation at Dundee earlier in his life.

"It has been successful and far more fulfilling for me."

Andrew added he likes to create "uplifting and hope filled pieces of art" with texture colour and light and he prefers to use acrylic paints.

He paints a lot of florals and landscapes and his hopeful theme is expressed once again in his latest works on show at the World of Glass.

Called Rapture, the exhibition, which was initially for one month, has been extended to the end of October.

"Over the last few years I have been developing a style and getting myself in some art shows but that had been postponed because of Covid," Andrew, from Thatto Heath, added.

"I normally exhibit in Chester from November.

"Rapture is just showcasing a lot of my work.

"A lot of people don't realise how three-dimensional it is just by looking at the photographs."

• See andrewalanart.com for more about Andrew and here for more about the exhibition which has been extended to the end of October.