About Andy

Andy Mata at his studio - My Tatty Artwork - Andy Mata

I do try to have some fun with my art, and this starts from the subject matter that I choose. This can be anything that catches my eye, from small pieces of discarded rubbish, the magnificent splendour of some buildings, or the beautiful landscape that surround us. If interesting people pop up as well – that’s great, they are welcome to join the party!

I was born and brought up in Hertfordshire and was lucky enough to attend Broxbourne School which, at the time, had a nationally acclaimed art department led by an inspiring teacher in the form of Harman Sumray. He instilled in me a life-long passion for art. Moving on from there I gained a degree in Fine Art at Newcastle University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Printing Studies at the London College of Printing. After that, alas, my art took a bit of a back seat as life and work in the printing industry filled my waking hours. The pull of art though would never leave me.

In 2021, having retired, we moved from Kent up to North Yorkshire (my wife, Jane, originates from Harrogate), and after a little time acclimatising to this new environment, I’ve rekindled my love for actually creating art.

Now I’m an artist trying to understand the people and landscapes of Yorkshire. I’m intrigued by the past lives of people and the objects I come across - how did they evolve and become who, or what they are today? The landscape and natural world – how has it changed over the years and by what? Glaciers? Human intervention? Or something else? The journey of everything through time is so interesting.

My sketchbook is my constant companion. Drawings, thoughts and ideas are sunk into its pages. Consciously, or unconsciously, these images and impressions re-emerge and develop through further sketches and studies. Ideas form – materials, colours, and compositions all start imposing on my mind, compelling me forward. The first lines and licks of paint are applied – a story of events is uncovered. Happy accidents happen along the way. An artwork slowly evolves and materialises into being.

Thanks for visiting my website. Keep coming back as new things will be added all the time.