Andrew Kinsman

Andrew Kinsman, Artist & Musician

Self-taught artist and musician Andrew Kinsman, sold his first piece of artwork when he was only twelve years old. He has painted commissions for celebrities and royalty alike, and has recorded soundtracks and albums with music novelties such as Noel Gallagher and English Rock Band, Kasabian. Currently living in North London, after years spent in Cambridge, Bath, Bristol and Cyprus, Kinsman continues to passionately practice both art forms, dividing his time equally between the advancement of his musical career and continuing to acquire new and reputable art commissions.

It was during his formative years as an artist that Kinsman drew inspiration from a collection of books his parents owned entitled, Great Artists. Within this collection, he found himself innately drawn to landscape painting, particularly to the works of English Romantic painters, John Constable and J.M.W. Turner. He also became interested in the use of symbolism and the incorporation of mythology, utilized by the Pre-Raphaelites and the Aesthetes of the 19th century. As his art progressed, his technique becoming more refined, Kinsman turned his focus towards the 17th century Dutch School; it was within this genre that he found a deep appreciation for intense colour palettes, captured drama, and the realism associated with, and well accomplished by, the Dutch Masters. The trait Kinsman finds most captivating, which still influences his painting to this day, is the “ability to create a snapshot of real life;” to be able to physically paint the surroundings, emotions and thoughts enveloped in a single moment. After his first major exhibition, aged twenty-one at The Victoria Art Gallery in Bath, Kinsman abandoned his art completely at twenty-five, to focus solely on his music.

In the following years, Kinsman devoted himself to the development of his musical talent and education. He began with the saxophone and would eventually learn to play the clarinet, flute and piano as well. Working long hours on an assembly line in a factory, Kinsman would bring his saxophone to work, transforming the cold room into a practice studio during his time off. Eventually he saved enough money, enabling him to terminate his contract at the factory and went on to play as many music venues as possible, gracing stages and recording studios in Cyprus, Italy, and throughout the UK.

As a result of his natural talent, Kinsman went on to build an impressive portfolio, playing and recording with noted bands from the British Pop/Rock scene including The Levellers, The Specials, Gruff Rhys from Super Furry Animals and ‘Girls Aloud’ Nadine Coyle. In 2010 he was invited to go on tour with English Rock band, Kasabian, completing the horn section with trumpeter and original band member, Gary Alesbrook. Kinsman has played at a number of infamous venues, including The London Coliseum, Brixton Academy, the Barbican centre, the V-Festival for 85,000 people to name just a few. He’s also recently recorded on both Kasabian and Noel Gallagher’s new albums. In 2010, Kinsman was featured on the soundtrack of London Boulevard, a film starring Colin Farrell, Keira Knightley, and Ray Winstone, having recorded the theme song, ‘The Green Fairy,’ with Kasabian.

Eventually, it became apparent that Kinsman could no longer suppress his artwork for his music, realizing the necessity of both creative outlets in his life. He took up painting again, completing commissions for His Highness Sheik Mohammed, Sultan Al Thani of Qatar, American actor, Rolf Saxon, and celebrity chef, Eric Lanlard. Following his work for Lanlard, Kinsman was commissioned by London’s Halcyon Gallery in 2011 to paint a distinguished portrait of the Hariri Family, Lebanon’s wealthiest and most powerful ruling family. He was also asked to paint American actress, Elisabeth Moss, while she was in London performing Lillian Hellman’s, The Children’s Hour, alongside British actress, Keira Knightley.

He has been awarded numerous prizes for his artwork, including the Holburne Portrait Prize 2006 and 2010, BP Portrait Prize 2008, and the RWA Academy Painting Exhibition 2009 and 2010. He was one of thirty-five artists featured on the BBC2 Documentary, “Show Me the Monet” (Episode 7, 2011), and exhibited in May 2011 at the prestigious Royal Academy of Art in London. Kinsman moved to North London in 2011, where he continues to pursue both his musical and artistic careers.