Pencil Passion

Pencil Passion - About the Artist

Andy Mast was raised in rural southern Illinois within an Amish community where strong beliefs are taught and practiced as a way of life. His lifestyle and upbringing directly influenced his artwork. His preference to the raw medium is born from living a simple life on the farm where he is most familiar with the simple blessings of life.

But his love for a simple life abruptly ended when he was 17. Andy suffered a serious head injury walking one of their horses to pasture on their family farm. Although it remains unclear how the accident happened, the results were devastating. Through his dark time, drawing became a sanctuary. His talents became a refuge and solace, providing hum a way to both express his despair and see hope beyond it.

Andy has had no formal art education. By exercising his "God-given" talent, he found a purpose through his life-changing experience, to become an artist of hope. He desires to bring his viewers courage, peace and hope through his art.

The young artist has successfully exhibited his work across the county. He has won multiply awards for his art, including first place in the Western Spirit Art Show & Sale in Cheyenne, Wyoming, first place at Sangre De Cristo Art Guild's summer show in southern Colorado and four successive years he won awards in the Fine Art competition at Cederhust Center for the arts, Mt Vernon Illinois.

I met Andy's parents in Pinecraft this past summer while they were here doctoring for a few weeks. They showed me some of his art and it is the best as far as putting life and feelings into pencil drawings of horses.

Places where they are available if you can't make it to the public auction in Mt Hope on February 19, 2016. Andy's address is:
Andy Mast
7155 N. Goshen Lane
 Belle Rive, IL 62810
Phone: 618-246-2964