Andrew-Thomas Bearce, Verde Valley
Member Since March 2009
Artist Statement ANDREW THOMAS BEARCE ~ FINE ART PAINTINGS
Andrew Thomas Bearce creates unique fine art abstract paintings and drawings using oils and oil pastels on canvas in a rich dynamic fashion. His art is influenced by his well rounded career as artist, musician and actor, and inspired by a blend of spirituality, nature, music and drama.
Andrew was born and raised in rural Morgantown, West Virginia. His parents say that he had been an artist since the time he could sit up and trace his finger in the dirt on the ground. Throughout his childhood and youth, he continually created drawings, paintings and cartoons that entertained and amazed his family and friends. He gained recognition and a reputation as ‘class artist’ in school, and he was encouraged to enter competitions and show his work at an early age. By middle school, he was winning awards for his artistic talents. In high school, Andrew consistently won 1st and 2nd place art awards each year. As a multi-talented artist, he also won several awards for his musical and theatrical performances.
Encouraged by art teachers, family and friends, Andrew focused on a career in the arts, and began considering top art schools in the country. In 1987, Andrew was accepted to Pratt Institute School of Art in Brooklyn, New York.. There, surrounded by a thriving artist community of students, professors, and the art and culture of New York City, Andrew’s passion for art was supported as never before. He soon learned an appreciation for abstract painting and drawing, along with the more commercial disciplines of illustration, graphics, animation and film. His first gallery show was a group show with several friends and featured the best of his work in illustration, abstract painting and cartooning. The opening was celebrated by a musical performance with his then current band, where his talents as a singer and saxophonist were also shared with a growing audience.
In 1991, Andrew graduated with a degree in fine arts, a minor in film, and a strong commitment and desire for success as a multi-talented artist and performer. He took his talents and expertise to South Florida, and began exploring all opportunities as an artist, musician and actor. Andrew became accomplished in many areas; performing, acting in films and commercials, freelancing as a decor artist, caricaturist and graphic designer, but for Andrew’s career in visual art, nothing was as fulfilling, and freely expressive as abstract painting and drawing. By the year 2000, Andrew found recognition and local fame presenting his unique abstract art in galleries, restaurants and cafes in Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach, Florida. Some of his greatest accomplishments included a large show at the Ft. Lauderdale International Airport Art Gallery, a featured presentation and performance at the grand opening of Collective Souls Art Gallery with a front page local arts newspaper feature, an ‘honorable mention’ at the Gallery Grille in Pompano Beach, and a very large commissioned 12' X 72' mural painted for the Naval Airport Youth Center in Key West.
Andrew relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, in 2001, where he continued acting and performing for independent films, television, live solo stage performances, and leading entertaining workshops for kids and adults. He has taught art for the Maricopa County School District, and currently teaches various subjects for the Cottonwood-Oak Creek District, while also working at his home studio, developing his unique, evolving style of abstract painting. He is preparing for his next big step in the world of fine art. The art and culture of the Sedona - Verde Valley has made him feel right at home. In 2007, Andrew served on the Arts and Culture Commission and helped contribute to Sedona’s growing artistic community. He continues to seek ways to serve that community today.
Andrew also performs and records progressive rock, jazz, and experimental music under the name ‘Emotive’. He is oft
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