With no formal art training beyond a GCSE at school, Andrea Fagan only recently returned to exploring her creativity. Yet in a relatively short time, she has developed a recognisable style, held exhibitions in Liverpool and London, and had her work selected for the prestigious John Moores Painting Prize.
Andrea grew up in London and, after leaving school, worked in several administrative roles before settling into a career in HR. She enjoyed being able to support people as they navigated difficult workplace decisions, but gradually found herself caught up in the relentless pace of London life.
“It sucks you in,” she told me. “It’s only once you’ve left that you realise how bad it was and how stressful.”
During this period, Andrea experienced recurring ill health, leading to frequent doctors’ appointments and hospital visits. Each seemed to bring a new and unsatisfactory diagnosis, while the regular travel required by her HR role appeared to make her symptoms worse.
Andrea and her husband had often discussed leaving London. As he is a Scouser, Liverpool felt like a natural choice. Their move was delayed by the small matter of a pandemic, but they eventually relocated four years ago.
Leaving behind her large, close-knit family—particularly her mum—was difficult. However, FaceTime and frequent trips home have helped Andrea stay connected. Happily, the move proved to be the fresh start she needed, bringing a healthier work-life balance and a new direction.
Rediscovering a love of art
In 2023, Andrea attended the Hidden Art Club, run by Charmaine Chaudry in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle. She describes the experience as life-changing.
Having almost forgotten about art, Andrea rediscovered how much she enjoyed it and decided to explore her developing passion further.
At the same time, she was still experiencing pain and ill health. After contacting doctors in Liverpool, she was referred for tests and eventually diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Her condition was so severe that surgery was discussed.
It was then that Andrea decided to make a significant change. She gave herself the gift of time, setting aside six weeks to do nothing but paint. During this period, she developed her recognisable style and fell completely in love with the process.
A later MRI revealed that the inflammation in her digestive tract had reduced dramatically, meaning surgery was no longer required. With medication and lifestyle changes now in place, Andrea is able to manage her condition.
Finding her own style
Andrea initially worked with acrylic paint before beginning to experiment with oils. Along the way, she amassed an impressive collection of paints and brushes.
We laughed about how art and craft can sometimes offer two distinct pleasures: creating the work itself and buying and enjoying all the materials. There is, after all, a particular joy in finding exactly the right brush for the job.
Andrea also attended several art classes in Kirkby with artist Harry Garner. These helped her develop the more technical aspects of her work, including how softening the edges of objects can make them appear more realistic.
We spoke about the joy that art can bring. Although Andrea offers prints of her work in a range of sizes, we agreed that there is still something special about owning an original painting.
Connecting with customers
Andrea sells her work through her website and has also taken part in several local arts and crafts markets. She was pleasantly surprised to discover that people still have a real appetite for original artwork, despite the current financial pressures facing many households.
She sold her first original painting at a market on Lark Lane—an experience that left her overjoyed.
For Andrea, nothing compares with seeing people respond to her work in person. She describes markets as energising and values the immediate feedback, conversations and positive comments they bring.
Selling solely online can make it easy for an artist to become detached from what people connect with, but Andrea is clear that this does not influence what she chooses to create.
“That’s not to say I paint to suit others,” she explained. “I do it for the joy of it and to satisfy myself. But it really makes me happy when someone appreciates my work and gets it. Do you know what I mean?”
I do. As a maker myself, I fully subscribe to the mantra: make what makes you happy, and the right people will find you.
Recognition and success
That approach has already brought Andrea both recognition and commercial success.
Her work was selected for the John Moores Painting Prize exhibition at the Walker Art Gallery, with just 71 artists chosen from more than 3,000 entries. Her painting was subsequently acquired by National Museums Liverpool, and we hope to see it displayed again in the future.
Andrea has also held successful solo exhibitions in both Liverpool and London. She has been pleasantly surprised by the level of interest her work generates and has loved welcoming people into the exhibitions to experience her paintings in person.
She also enjoys the conversations she has at markets, where she often finds herself offering encouragement to people who are hesitant to begin their own creative journeys. Having achieved so much in a relatively short career, Andrea is a wonderful example of what can happen when you finally give yourself permission to begin.
A supportive creative community
One of the things Andrea enjoys most about selling at The Old Police Station is the friendship and support offered by the community of stallholders at Liverpool Makers Bazaar.
She also appreciates the wide variety of art forms and creative practices represented. This diversity is something we carefully consider when planning each event, ensuring a varied collection of work and avoiding too much duplication between stalls.
What’s next for Andrea?
Andrea is currently working towards her next exhibition, Counterpoint, alongside Harry Garner. It will take place at Kirkby Gallery next January.
Both artists draw inspiration from the people, places and objects that shape their everyday worlds. Although they come from very different backgrounds—Andrea grew up in London, while Harry was raised in rural Leicestershire—the exhibition reveals a shared desire to use painting to tell stories and reflect on lived experience.
If you can’t wait until then to see Andrea’s work, join us at the next Makers Bazaar market on Sunday 13 September. Andrea will be there and happy to chat with visitors about her paintings and creative journey.
You can also explore and purchase her work through the Andrea Fagan Art website or email AndreaFaganArt@gmail.com to discuss commissions.
After all, Christmas will be here before you know it!
