AN artist who embarked on a new career after two redundancies in as many years is bringing a splash of colour to Wilmslow.

Andrew Johnson has only been painting professionally for less than three years, after being laid off from work in 2011 and 2013, before struggling to make ends meet as a freelance graphic designer.

But the 43-year-old, from St Helens, is forging a reputation as a talented painter – and his work can now be seen in action at a gallery in Grove Street.

“I feel it’s what I should have been doing for years,” he told the Guardian.

“After the redundancies I started doing some freelance graphic design, but I wasn’t bringing in enough money.

“So I started painting – I’d reached a point where I felt I should be doing something different and I took a leap of faith.”

For Andrew, painting marked a return to art, after he graduated from the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, in Dundee, aged 23.

He now paints in the window of the Art My Treasure studio, in Grove Street, every Sunday.

The gallery showcases work from several artists from the north west and further afield, while his work can also be found online.

For more information about Andrew’s work visit andrewalanart.com