Andy Crabb - Water Colours

Born in Quinton, Birmingham in 1957, Andy has been surrounded by motorcycles for as long as he can remember. His father was a wartime despatch rider and lifelong trials enthusiast, and much of Andy’s childhood was spent travelling to scramble meetings across the country. From the back of a van filled with tools, petrol cans and bikes, a lifelong passion for motorcycle culture was formed.

Although he never raced competitively, the spirit and atmosphere of those early scrambling days left a lasting impression. That fascination with machinery – particularly classic scrambles bikes – naturally found its way into his sketchbooks at school and, later, into his paintings.

Andy began working in watercolour in the late 1980s while recovering from a broken arm. What started as a hobby quickly developed into a disciplined and deeply enjoyable craft. Watercolour’s unforgiving nature appealed to him – mistakes can’t easily be corrected – but the challenge became part of the process he grew to love.

Over the years, Andy has built a body of work centred around classic motorcycle sport and nostalgic local scenes. His paintings have featured in publications including Vintage Japanese Motorcycle magazine, the MZ Riders Club magazine and Norway’s Sidevogna. Alongside motorcycle subjects, he produces historic and nostalgic townscapes, often subtly incorporating period bikes into the scenes.

Now painting primarily for enjoyment, Andy continues to create original works and limited prints, combining technical detail with a clear affection for the machines and memories that shaped his life.

We think you’ll agree, Andy’s work is exceptional.