We catch up with an Essex based artist who specialises in travel based artwork
How did your business come about and what did you do before?
I’ve always loved drawing and being creative. I studied graphic design at Bath Spa University. After graduating, I worked as a graphic designer (andrewsharratt.com) for creative agencies in Bath, before taking time out to travel. I loved Australia and ended up settling in Manly Beach, Sydney in 2003. There, I worked as a freelance designer for many of the world's leading design and advertising companies. I also began designing and selling my artwork as prints. Manly has a renowned design and craft market every weekend and that’s where I started selling my prints. It’s where Art of Adventure was born. You’ll see various collections of prints featuring Australian beaches, cities and surf culture, and that’s why.
I returned back to Essex for family reasons in 2017. So I set up Art of Adventure here too.
I created local pictures in a travel poster style influenced by the great 20th century poster designers. I’ve expanded the collections to other locations, and created new styles of artwork featuring local landmarks.
What was your first commission of and who was it for?
I started first drawing pictures of Sydney and other locations around Australia. One of my first commissions was for Manly County Council, for a sign welcoming visitors to Manly Vale. The first picture I drew on my return to the UK was of Old Leigh High Street featuring the Crooked Billet. To this day, it still remains one of my most popular designs. Timeless I guess.
What has been your favourite place/thing to draw?
I love drawing beach scenes which remind me of my travels, especially my days spent in Australia. I do like drawing classic cars which I take commissions for. I have just drawn an old 1980s Ford Escort RS - what a retro Essex classic - oh and pubs!
And what has been the trickiest?
Drawing period buildings which have lots of detail are the hardest. I drew Buckingham Palace once which was super tricky. The Grand in Leigh was also quite a challenge.
How long does it take you to complete a print?
I first sketch out the layout of the design I want to create, then begin drawing using a light pen and tablet on my Apple Mac. Working on the computer, I can draw solid blocks of colour and perfectly clean lines which I like. It’s my graphic design background. Depending on the complexity of the design, the time really varies. Some designs can be five hours and others more than five days!
Are there any commissions you don’t take on? Or any prints you wouldn’t undertake?
I’m open to any suggestions, but designs such as large city landscapes with numerous old builds would be a headache to do. They’re so intricate and fiddly that it would take hours and hours.
How many different prints have you now done?
I haven’t counted them all up recently, but it could be close to 300.
What might people be surprised to know about you/your illustrations?
Just exactly what’s involved in creating an illustration. They are very time consuming, and although I use a computer, there isn’t a design button you can press to do it all, even with the invention of AI! It still takes hours of hand crafting.
My designs are printed locally and vary in size from A5 up to a whopping A0 poster size. I can personalise lots of my designs, especially sizes A2 and above, which are printed to order. I’m happy to discuss any requirements.
What has surprised you the most since starting up your business?
What a positive response my local designs have had. People seem to love the area they live in and want that captured in art for their home or office. My designs are particularly popular as presents for locals that now live elsewhere or even overseas. They love the vibrant colours, especially in the silhouette style designs. That little piece of home, as we say ‘your favourite place in print’!!
What does 2024 and beyond have in store for you and your prints?
I have a resident spot in “70 The Broadway”, the green fronted gallery on Leigh Broadway. I display and sell my work there with six other local artists called the Collective. We take it in turns to be in the gallery every Saturday, which gives me a chance to showcase new work and get feedback directly from customers.
My latest Essex designs are in a vintage/retro style so I may explore that in 2024 and beyond. My tea towel design has also been a hit so maybe more of those, especially in the silhouette style. There’s a current trend to frame tea towels so that could be worth exploring.
Where is your favourite place in Essex… and why?
I have just been for a short break with my family camping in Mersea Island and loved its combination of coastal and rural charm. It’s not in my collection so I’ll just have to create a new design! But I also love to walk into Old Leigh for a drink and some cockles by the water.
andrewsharratt.com
artofadventure.co.uk
