Andrew Kinsman has spent most of his life juggling his two passions - portrait painting and playing the saxophone. Recently, however, Andrew has realised that by combining the two he could bring something much deeper to his work, elevating him to a standard that has already seen him win the ‘People’s Choice award’ at the Bath Holburne Museum of Art, ‘The Dukes Portrait Prize’ and short listed for Channel Five’s ‘Big Art Challenge ‘competition.
After his A-Levels, he took a course in graphic design but quickly realised that wasn’t for him, which spurred him to leave painting and pursue his dreams of becoming a jazz musician. After just three years of intense practising, Andrew started performing as a jazz sax, flute and clarinette player, working with well known names such as Acker Bilk, Beth Rowley and Andy Sheppard.
A decade of not even picking up a paintbrush started to take its toll, and Andrew realised there was something missing in his life and must find a way to combine his two loves.
“I found the right time in my life to start painting again because I realised that I can use my music to bring something more to my Art, I never want to be without either again.”
In the last few years Andrew has had several prestigious commissions including HH sheik Mohammed Al Thani, Sultan Al Thani of Qatar, American Actor Rolph Saxon and soul singer Beth Rowley.
Andrew continues to work at his studio in Bristol and is aiming to put on a one man show of portraits in the local area.