Meet Our Barn Community & Blondin Consortium’s Resident Artist: Andre
If you’ve visited our community spaces recently, you’ve likely already encountered a touch of Andre’s creativity. Known as “Dre” to his friends, Andre was born in London to Caribbean parents from Antigua and Trinidad—heritage that adds warmth, rhythm and colour to everything he creates.
Andre joined us in 2023, beginning his journey as a barista under the guidance of Jason at Pump and Grind in Kew. While he quickly mastered the craft of coffee, it was his artistic spark that truly made him stand out. From the beginning, Andre brought energy, imagination and a natural ability to make spaces brighter and more welcoming.
A Creative Spark Born in Childhood
Andre’s artistic inspiration reaches back to the playful classics of his youth: Morph, Wallace & Gromit and Flushed Away. These quirky, beloved animations sparked his fascination with plasticine and stop-motion art—passions proudly showcased on his Instagram profile, @drearts30. His feed is filled with colourful models, bold signage (including standout pieces created for the Brentford Festival), and snippets of the creative mind we’re now lucky to have in our community.
In 2018, Andre studied Art and Design at Harrow College, diving into graphic design and discovering how much he loved bringing ideas to life visually. Today, those skills shine through everywhere at Blondin Consortium—his artwork is public-facing, instantly recognisable and often the first thing people compliment when they visit. The café is unquestionably more vibrant thanks to him. And yes—Linda always has a new request, and Andre is always happy to add his artistic touch!
A Life Full of Curiosity and Family
When he’s not sketching, shaping plasticine or exploring creative concepts, Andre fuels his curiosity online—researching animation, film and photography, all areas he dreams of growing into professionally. His dream of becoming a photographer or animator is very real, and he brings that passion into every project.
Family is deeply important to him. Every week, Andre meets up with his brother for some quality time—and often a helpful session in maths or English. “That’s the joy of being a brother,” Andre says, and it’s clear how much he values that bond.
And when it’s time to unwind? You’ll find Andre watching a good series—Squid Game, Stranger Things, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and The Big Bang Theory are favourites. His superhero hall of fame includes Spider-Man, Batman and Iron Man. In the kitchen, Is It Cake? is often playing in the background, sparking his imagination further.
A Gentleman With Big Ambitions
On a casual trip to Westfield, you might spot him browsing WHSmith, The Entertainer’s LEGO aisle, or checking out gear at DJI Hasselblad. His interests are as wide-ranging as his talents.
Andre isn’t just a skilled artist—he’s a true gentleman. Kind, curious, hardworking and community-minded, he lifts the atmosphere wherever he goes. As he continues to grow with us, he’s also actively seeking new opportunities in the arts. If your organisation is looking for a fresh, creative voice, Andre may be the perfect person to help your company become a true community creative powerhouse.
We’re proud and thankful to have him as our resident artist—and even prouder to share his story.
