A PROFESSIONAL artist inspired by Pembrokeshire’s wild outdoors is holding an exhibition in Haverfordwest to remember 40 years of his work.

Fulltime Professional artist Andrew Bailey has a one man show at the VC Gallery, ‘Store Twenty One’ on Bridge Street, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, until May 29.

Andrew’s early work was heavily influenced by Victorian and Edwardian pen and ink book illustrations and he was first commissioned to illustrate books at the age of 18.

More work followed and he was able to go full time in his early twenties.

He moved down to London where his first solo exhibitions took place in Highgate, Sadler’s Wells Theatre and Lauderdale House.

An art agent in Covent Garden fed him a constant stream of work that included pen and inks for the Natural History Museum, Burberry, magazine, newspaper and book illustrations.

Alongside this Andrew was also producing more ‘Fine Art’ landscapes and wildlife paintings in watercolour.

A country boy at heart, Andrew was escaping into mid and north Wales at the weekends and after a holiday in the beautiful county of Pembrokeshire in West Wales he took the plunge and moved there in the early 90’s, where he has been ever since.

"The west facing coastline has a special light," said Andrew.

"As the sun sets over the sea reflecting its light up into the atmosphere."

Often staying on the islands amongst the large seabird colonies, Andrew is now able to add seascapes, coastal scenes, diving gannets, grey seals and sunsets to his woodland scenes.

Since being in Pembrokeshire Andrew has held over 140 art exhibitions, over half of them solo, including his annual St David’s Cathedral show.

There has been a number of BBC programmes and books on his work.

This show will include over 80 Original watercolours, oil paintings and pen and inks, plus many limited prints and cards from the past to the present.

A percentage of any sales during this exhibition will be in aid of the Pembrokeshire based charity VC which helps, through the therapy of art, veterans with issues like post-traumatic stress.

The founder Barry John MBE an army veteran of 24 years who attained Armed Forces Painter of the year 2011 started the charity in 2013 and now has three galleries in Pembrokeshire.

"The VC Gallery is very proud and privileged to have someone of Andrew Bailey's talent and passion for art showcased in this solo exhibition," said Barry.