Courtyard Arts is delighted to present Nine Lives in Colour, a new exhibition by Bedfordshire artist Andrew Marsh, running from 17 February to 14 March. This vibrant and uplifting show brings together a series of expressive works that celebrate Marsh’s lifelong fascination with colour, movement, and the natural world.

Marsh’s artistic journey has been shaped by resilience, creativity, and a deep connection to the local arts community. Based in Bedfordshire, he has been painting for many years and is known for his bold, instinctive style and his ability to channel emotion directly onto the canvas. His work often draws inspiration from wildlife, landscape, and the energy of everyday life, resulting in paintings that feel immediate, joyful, and full of personality.

As a member of ArtsNet Beds, Marsh has exhibited widely across the region and continues to develop a distinctive visual language rooted in expressive mark‑making and fearless colour..

The work in Nine Lives in Colour began during lockdown, when Andrew started painting what was immediately around him…buildings, windows, and fragments of sky.

Andrew says: “They reflect a need for structure, stillness and control in what was quite a turbulent time for me (a new relationship, a new home, the pandemic, and the death of my mum).”

By 2022, the paintings shifted and cats began to appear. Although these are loosely based on Andrew’s own cat (Mogwenna), they aren’t pet portraits, but stand-ins for himself.

Andrew says: “Using cats allowed me to explore mood and emotion with a bit of distance. The figures often sit, watch, or wait…reflecting moments of pause, uncertainty, or quiet observation