EyeLineArt - Andy Coltart
Andy Coltart - EyeLineArt - visually impaired mixed media artist
Portrait Session
It was great fun to work with local Liverpool artist Andy Coltart (otherwise known as eyelineart) in his Wavertree studio to capture some great portraits in preparation for his exhibition in the Art Space at Cass Art (Liverpool One).
Andy Coltart in his Wavertree Studio, Liverpool
Trying to capture an artist at work is not easy, being as the angles at which they paint are not always the most photogenic or easy to light capturing both the subject and their artwork well! This challenge was very apparent while working with Andy, and compounded further by his desire to somewhat shadow his worse eye, shrouded in mystery you might say. But being an artists it was a fun artistic collaboration sharing ideas on the final portraits we had in mind.
Starting work on a new elephant piece
Environmental portraiture is all about trying to capture both the essence of a person and what it is they do in their natural environment. For Andy as an artist this was with his easel in his studio. These portraits are a little bit of a crossbreed, using shadow to hide some of the distracting items in the background while he worked, a few candid shots, and some more traditional portraits.
Candid environmental portrait of Andy Coltart
During the shoot, Andy's smile and sense of humor was infectious, so amongst some of the more serious 'artistic' portraits and artist at work shots, I just had to include at least one with that smile. In fact having attended one of Andy's art workshops I can say this part of his personality, partnered with his more serious and deliberate side keeps the art and atmosphere creative, fun and interesting.
Andy's personality shines through
Community Arts Project
Andy has always had a heart for his local community, and for those who are disadvantaged for one reason or another. In the past he has worked with children and adults with physical and mental disabilities, young offenders at high risk of repeat offence and recovering addicts.
He is now starting a new EyeLineArt creative arts project offering art tuition to disadvantaged young people who's families cannot afford for them to attend extra activities which could enhance their education. He is a big believer that through the medium of art people do not only gain artistic skills which could benefit their future careers, but also gain self esteem, patience, the ability to reflect and evaluate, and that creating artwork can be used therapeutically to help work through personal issues and past events leading to a happier life.
If you wish to help Andy engage with and support these youngsters you may wish to look at his new justgiving page.
Andy Coltart - Artist, Teacher and Community Worker
Find Out More
If you wish to see more of Andy's artwork then take a look over on instagram - www.instagram.com/eyelineart or on facebook - https://www.facebook.com/eyelineart
His exhibition titled 'Emotions' is currently on show from the 17th-30th April 2017. Andy is also presenting some of the work of the young people who attend his EyeLineArt Schools Clubs at the EyeLineArt Emotions Exhibition in Cass Art, Liverpool One. The exhibition contains a range of pieces produced in local schools and at the EyeLineArt Studio in Wavertree.
For directions visit Cass Art