Swanage 'boilersuit' artist: 'March has become the longest month of my life'
For Andy Knill it seemed the day he could reopen on April 12th would never come
Last updated 12th Apr 2021
A Swanage artist who opened his studio mere months before the first lockdown is among the many who have been reeling in anticipation of April 12th.
Non-essential shops like hairdressers, pubs and art studios will finally be able to reopen after 3.5 months in lockdown.
Andy Knill is well known about the town for his colourfully painted boilersuits. He says he's managed to break even during the pandemic, but he's looking forward to welcoming people back through the door.
Andy's gallery can be found at The Courtyard Studio, Tilly Mead, Commercial Rd, Swanage. It opened in November 2019 but had to close shortly after opening due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
He said:
"I've found that March has become the longest month of my life because we're aiming for April 12th and April 12th never seems to get closer.
"I'm now enjoying myself because I'm back in the shop. I've already started talking to people about art again while I'm stood in the doorway and they're out on the pavement.
"It's going to be fantastic because I can be back behind the counter, I'll have my screen to start with so I don't have to wear my mask all day and basically when I'm in the shop I'm going to be drawing because I have so many ideas.
"I'm just going to enjoy it."
Andy's art installation work involves using marker pens to draw straight onto the clothing - much to the delight of passing children and the horror of their parents.
Andy was discouraged from pursuing art at school at 13 and took it up years later as a way to combat depression. He's passionate about encouraging everyone to take up art just for fun and is hoping to bring back his popular 'Give it a go' art table in his shop this summer.
He says his work is all about people:
"My philosophy is 'art for fun', it's about people who say I can't do art, I can't draw - give them a pen, say 'have a go', doesn't matter what it's like. If you don't like it put it in the bin, if you do like it take it home, if you think it's wonderful, try and sell it.
"I'm all about community, supporting people with mental health, trying to get people of all ages to find something to do that helps them switch off."