Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Book brings towns alive with colour
Artist takes unique look at local land marks
A talented artist has created a unique new look at the landmarks of Monklands by transforming the area’s familiar sights into a colouring book.
Coatbridge resident Andrew Mcbride used months of lockdown walks to discover more about his adopted home town and neighbouring Airdrie, and created detailed line drawings of everything from statues to street scenes.
The artwork in his new 30page publication includes the Flora and Fauna horse statue, the Fountain in Coatbridge, town centre scenes and artworks including Coatbridge Basin’s plug and snowballs.
Mechanical engineer Andrew began sketching Monklands in his spare time after completing a similar colouring book at the start of last year centred on Dundee, where he grew up, inspired by family and friends in the city.
He said: “During the strict lockdown in Christmas 2020, my family told me about where they’d been out walking; I’d always enjoyed sketching and it inspired me to do the Dundee colouring book, which launched in February and had a lot of good feedback.
“I was going out on long walks in Coatbridge and around the local area and found nice locations and spotted things I hadn’t seen before, so I took photos and built up the collection of Monklands sketches by doing one per week.
“There are 30 pages to colour. Some locations are quite detailed drawings and others are simpler things like statues and the coats of arms of Coatbridge, Airdrie and Monklands, which combines both.
“I didn’t realise it before starting, but it’s interesting to see how, if you look through the main streets of the towns, there are quite a few locations where they’re plastered on various local buildings and places, and I enjoyed that aspect of it.
“One of my personal favourites is the two sculptures in Centenary Park, which are quite unique and symbolic, representing the crossing point of Coatbridge and Airdrie. I’ve also sketched Flora and Fauna, the ‘Captain Coatbridge’ gateway at Monkland canal, and there are pages full of vehicles, big buildings and industrial equipment. Those are from photos taken going round Summerlee museum.
“Last year was the first time I’d been there and I’m a massive fan. I was gobsmacked this was a free museum and I’d encourage everybody to learn about the industrial heritage of the area as it’s really important. Walking along Monkland canal was something I hadn’t done before either so it’s been a great way to get to know our new home.
“My wife and I settled in Coatbridge about four years ago and it’s a great community and has become home.” The colouring book of “delightful sketches from the industrial heartland of Scotland”, published under the name Belter Products, is available on Amazon and via Facebook and is described as a “feelgood book designed for everyone who loves the Iron Burgh”.
As well as inviting Monklands residents to bring their home towns “alive with colour”, Andrew also has an online shop featuring his Coatbridge, Airdrie and Dundee line drawings on mugs and T-shirts. He recently met up with Monklands MSPS Fulton Macgregor and Neil Gray to showcase his artwork, with Coatbridge representative Mr Macgregor calling it “an inspired idea and great for young people and adults alike to learn about local heritage”. Andrew said: “The positive feedback and support I’ve received over the past couple of months since the colouring book was published have been incredible, and knowing people enjoy the book makes projects like this so rewarding. “I had enjoyed art at school but moved away from it when I went to university; it’s been great to re-engage with it and get the pens and pencils out, and if it helps other people get back to colouring, drawing or being creative then that’s a good thing and there’s a lot of value in it.”
He added: “I have a few ideas up my sleeve for other future projects and I’m open to suggestions. It’s been great to have this positive feedback.”