Some thoughts on my paintings

I am acutely aware that I am privileged to have the opportunity to make art – millions are not so lucky.

My paintings do not move smoothly from an ‘idea’ to a conclusion - nor do they begin with drawings. They evolve in a haphazard way through abstract marks. As the works develop, I seek to create a tension between surface and depth - often by varying the thickness of paint. At times I scrape with a palette knife or other tools to reveal previous layers that can add light and variety. My images are linked to our environment and human activity and suggest a shallow, intimate space but do not refer directly to figures or landscape .

I would welcome comments – favourable or unfavourable.  Also, it would be nice to sell some work at some point so that it doesn’t end up in a skip when I die.  If you are interested in buying any of my paintings please get in touch.

Andy Day (b. 1955)

Hertfordshire College of Art and Design 1974-1975

Burslem School of Art Fine Art (Painting) 1975-1978

I took part in various exhibitions after leaving college including a group show at the Potteries Museum, a solo exhibition at the Brampton in Newcastle-under-Lyme.  I also showed at the Midland View open exhibition and Stoke-on-Trent Open, both at the Potteries Museum.

In the eighties I got involved in the Labour and peace movements in Stoke-on-Trent, working for the Unemployment Action Centre, organising street collections for the striking miners in 1984/5 and helping to run the Peace Centre in Hanley until the early nineties.  From 1993-5 I taught art in a middle school in Bedford and in 1995 returned to Stoke-on-Trent to work for the North Staffordshire Pensioners’ Convention until I retired in 2021.

Art has always played a big part in my life and I began to paint regularly again in 2016.  Since retirement, I have devoted more and more time to my painting. In recent years I have enjoyed taking part in the annual ‘Three Counties’ exhibition in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent.