Edinburgh art school drop-out turned chef returns to painting - his first love

An art school dropout turned chef whose kitchen work dried up as covid hit has picked up his paintbrush for the first time in over fifteen years.

Andy Keir back to the brushes after fifteen years

Andy Keir, former head chef at Causewayside eatery Damn 27, lost his job when the restaurant shut it’s doors at the end of March due to lockdown. The 37-year-old got shifts in restaurants up to October but said since then work has dried up as hospitality has been hammered by covid-19 restrictions.

After getting out walking in the city during lockdown he was inspired to get out his brushes for the first time in fifteen years and is getting his confidence back as has been “gobsmacked” by reactions to his creations online.

He has now set up an online etsy shop after completing ‘Edinburgh number 1’ a series of oil paintings and acrylics of edinburgh’s cityscapes. And is ready to launch ‘Edinburgh number 2’ online on Christmas eve.

Andy during chef days

Mr Keir dropped out of his fine art course at Duncan of Jordanstone Art College in Dundee in 2000 and got a job as a kitchen porter at a tiny Inn in Fife.

During a varied career including a stint as a jeweller in Golders Green in London he worked in kitchens from St Andrews to Edinburgh until landing a job as head chef at Damn 27 in April last year.

But even after working with a hotel chain across the UK and a spell in Los Angeles he is still inspired by the sights of Edinburgh. He said:

"I’ve seen more of Edinburgh than ever before by getting out on more walks during lockdown months. It inspired me.

Painting of Edinburgh from the Crags by Andy Keir

"For years I wanted to get back into painting. I thought I’d never manage it. I only lasted a couple of years at art College. When I worked full time I’d be too knackered on days off. Now my confidence is slowly coming back.

"I have sold a few prints and am finding my style again. I’ve been gobsmacked by the support since I set up the online shop on Etsy. I’m hoping I can build more recognition for my stuff. It's more of a hobby just now but we’ll see how it goes!”

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