The artist community and fraternity has lost an inspirational and dynamic painter, Andrea MJ Toth, who has died from secondary breast cancer at the age of forty. Originally from from British Columbia, Canada, Andrea had lived and worked in Newcastle upon Tyne for the past nine years.
A vivacious, passionate and generous optimist, Andrea cared deeply about her family, friends and those around her. As a long-time teacher – of drawing courses at Newcastle University, of evening life-drawing classes to interested architects, and as an occasional supply teacher to primary schools around the city – she provided support, inspiration, and fun to the students and pupils she worked with. As a friend, neighbour and colleague she provided love, laughter, and kindness to a great many.
Born in British Columbia, Canada in 1973, Andrea received a BA Fine Art from University of Calgary (1995), a Bachelor of Education University of British Columbia (1999) and a MFA from Newcastle University in 2006.
Andrea had recently embarked on a collaborative body of work with me, borne of walks in Northumberland, for which we had received support from Northumberland National Park; we exhibited our work together at Sanctuary Artspace in Gateshead in June. Andrea had a studio at TestHouse5 in the Ouseburn area of Newcastle and her practice was supported by Arts Council England and The Pollock-Krasner Foundation.
Donations can be made in her name to the Artists’ General Benevolent Institution. A celebration of her life and art will be held in Newcastle in the near future.