Who is Andrew Hersey?

I'm a 66-year-old, semi-retired, self-taught artist and writer who has exhibited my work around the country at shows and in galleries. Starting in 1982, I've worked in painting, drawing, photography, mixed media, digital media, collage, and writing. I'm a runner, cyclist, low-budget traveler, music appreciator, and lover of the ocean. I'm a survivor of both testicular cancer and clinical depression.

How long has your website been around? What's the history?

I've had an artist website for over 30 years, always designed and built entirely by me. It's probably obvious that I'm a fan of old school web 1.0 web simplicity vs monetizing my content here. While the site is somewhat of a showcase for my work, it's really more of an art project in its own right. Content on the site is updated frequently. Work is added, work is removed. Check back often and you'll see new stuff.

Who are some of your influences?

The list changes. In no particular order: Charles Mingus, Francesca Woodman, Wilco, Amy Hempel, Howard Hodgkin, Sam Abell, Angie McMahon, water.

Where were the photographs taken? What's the story?

They're made mostly in Virginia, but anywhere really. There are interesting settings all over the place, if you take the time to look. I display new images when I shoot them, and repost images from earlier in my career as well.

What's with the drawings?

They're just fun little exercises in figure drawing, and expand on the characters who live in my imagination.

Yeah, but who are all these people?

They're sort of like the imaginary friends you had as a kid, except that they grew up too, and also grew into more interesting and complicated people. And they live in my head, not yours.

Is the photo journal like a blog or something?

Sort of. It's not meant to be functional in the ways blogs are, just a place to record random little moments seen here and there. All the journal photos are taken with an iPhone, with little or no editing.

What happened to the music playlist? Where did it go?

The playlist continues, and will be featured around the first of each month in the photo journal. We decided to stop doing the podcast, though. It was fun while it lasted, but it's time to move on to other fun now. You can also always find us on Spotify with the current month's playlist, as well as our all-time compilation, and the playlist's greatest hits.

Can I see your work in person? How can I buy something?

I'm mostly retired. I still show in exhibitions here and there, and I still make work, but it's more for fun and the chance to make new connections, and less about the need to get famous from it. I do have work laying around, though. If you're interested in something in particular, feel free to contact me.

What's the most important thing for artists who are starting out?

Be passionate or go home. If you're making art to be famous or rich, you're doing it for the wrong reasons. But if you're doing it because you have a deep need to express something in yourself, that's what brings joy. And joy will make you keep doing it. And continuing to do it more will teach you things. Not just about how to make better art, but about yourself.

Why eleven?

Well, it's more than ten. But less than a dozen.