Andy Welland on the art of play, creative chaos, and greeting cards with heart

Sheffield-based artist Andy Welland is known for his kaleidoscopic colour palettes, instinctive compositions, and ever-evolving creative process. With a background in both fine art and graphic design, Andy’s work is a joyful remix of analogue and digital methods, always led by play, movement and imperfection. His bold abstract pieces, from oversized oil stick paintings to vibrant Plasticine reliefs, invite us to slow down and reconnect with the tactile joy of making.

We caught up with Andy ahead of his latest exhibition Colour, Play and Everything In-Between and the launch of his new greeting card range for Evermade. He talks us through creative routines, art-school turning points, and why his latest cards are designed to feel like mini explosions of energy.

How and why did you get into your creative field?

Creativity has always been a part of me, but my path into art wasn’t straightforward. Growing up in Doncaster, I was surrounded by three strong, creative women, my mum, grandmother, and auntie, who encouraged me to explore art from a young age. Whether it was building with LEGO, drawing, or collaging, I was always drawn to remixing, reassembling, and imagining new worlds.

After school, I initially studied programming, but it didn’t feel right, my brain isn’t wired for maths. I drifted into making websites and online viral marketing before "viral" was even a thing. This was just before the millennium, at the dawn of the mainstream internet, an optimistic yet undefined space where people experimented freely.

After a few years, I enrolled in a Foundation art course, which felt like a revelation. I loved the freedom to experiment, which ultimately led me to a Fine Art degree where I started creating highly graphic, conceptual work. That’s where I found the crossover between art and design, a tension that still drives my work today.

An old boss once told me, “Your best work is your bright, bold colours, that’s you.” It stuck. Eventually, I returned to making artwork, starting with two screen prints that became the foundation for everything I’ve done since.

Your upcoming project Colour, Play and Everything In-Between explores play as a creative language. What drew you to that theme, and what can people expect from the show?

Play is at the core of everything I do. It’s not just a process, it’s a way of thinking, making sense of the world, and connecting with others. The show is packed with energy, giant Plasticine reliefs, lipstick-thick oil stick paintings, bold graphic prints, and it explores the space where art and design collide and collaborate.

What do you see when you look out of your studio window? Does your studio environment or local area influence your work?

Right now, my studio is in a spare room in our home while we renovate, so the view is mostly the garden, with the odd fox or neighbourhood cat wandering through. I live in Sheffield, which offers a great balance of city life and access to the Peak District. That contrast, between structure and nature, definitely feeds into my work.

What’s on your studio playlist, or do you prefer working in silence?

I’m into long-form audio while working, podcasts, audiobooks, things I can get lost in. I also spin records: disco, hip-hop, metal... it’s quite a mix. People are often surprised I make joyful, colourful art while listening to black metal, but I like the duality. My favourite colour is pink, after all.

Your new collection with Evermade brings your bold, colourful style into card form. What inspired the direction for this range?

I wanted these cards to feel like mini explosions of energy, something you’d love to send or pin to your wall. They play with the language of collage, layering bold shapes, contrasts, and expressive marks. While they look spontaneous, there’s a lot of careful work behind them, many iterations to get the balance just right.

Can you describe a typical day in your studio, including any rituals or routines that help you feel most creative?

I’m not rigid with routine, but coffee always starts the day. I like having headspace, going for a midweek run or just letting ideas percolate. A lot of my process is about thinking first, so when I make, I’m ready to dive in. I work in bursts, jumping between digital and analogue processes, allowing space for trial and error. Some of the best work comes from things that initially don’t work.

Is there one artist or creative whose work you admire or look up to?

I love Bridget Riley’s visual energy and structure, it’s like graphic design meets emotional resonance. Also, Gelitin Group for their chaotic, playful approach, and Lance Wyman for his iconic, intuitive visual systems. I’m fascinated by how structure and play can coexist in design.

 

Andy Welland’s latest greeting card range with Evermade brings his expressive collage language into joyful, tangible form. Each card is a celebration of colour, movement and playful design. Discover the full collection here.

Follow Andy on Instagram @andywelland.