A blog about Stockport landmarks by artist/printmaker Neil Robinson which follows a printmaking project depicting the diverse architectural styles of my hometown both new and old.
The Friends’ Christmas Fair at Helmshore Mills Textile Museum.
Over 40 Stalls Selling Crafts and Gifts
Haslingden & Helmshore Brass Band
Tombola
Name the Elf
Princess Characters
Children’s Choir
Father Christmas
Food and Drink
Vintage Bus Doing Local Pick Ups
Saturday 29 November 10.30am-4pm
Entry £5 Adults Under 18s Free
Helmshore Mills Textile Museum, Holcombe Road, Helmshore, Rossendale, Lancashire, BB4 4NP
Telephone Number 01706 226459
Last month, I was invited to a preview of a new exhibition at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery to celebrate 100 years of the building.
The building is unique in the UK in that it is a war memorial honouring the fallen from previous world wars and also a public space to display artworks both amateur and professional alike.
During the evening. a number of speeches were given, one was by my artist friend Peter Davis MAFA CBPP who is a former archivist of Stockport Art Guild. Peter spoke about the strong relationship between the Art Gallery and the Art Guild.
Incidentally, over 10 years ago, before I began this project, I created an etching print of the war memorial art gallery.
The current exhibition at the gallery is a celebration of the building’s history and role in the local community.
Local children have contributed a colourful creative display of artwork in the exhibition. There is also a good selection of prints on display including some well known artists such as painter and graphic designer Patrick Caulfield
I have recently been experimenting with Artificial Intelligence tool on my phone and transformed some of my prints into short animated sequences. The results are impressive and bazaar. Sound and music has been added automatically to each clip and on one clip I can hear some dialogue. Take a look below ⬇️
This weekend I have been busy printing my edition of mezzotint prints for the 20:20 Hot Bed Press International Print Exchange 2025.
Printed edition of 25 on Fabriano paper
I will be hosting a 2 hour Eco Image Transfer workshop on Sunday 17th August between 1pm to 3pm at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery.
Participants will learn how to create rich layered collages that blend hand drawn and photographic elements, all while using environmentally friendly materials. Perfect for creatives looking to add a vintage, grainy or zine-inspired aesthetic to their work.
To book a free place, please contact the Art Gallery on 0161 474 4453 or email: [email protected]
I visited the Centenary Open Exhibition at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery this afternoon with a friend to see my etching print depicting the Produce Hall. In this fantastic exhibition.
The exhibition is worth a visit if you’re in Stockport or nearby.
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/topic/exhibitions-stockport-art-gallery
Last weekend, I was working on my etching print of the tower at Pear Mill. The roof of the tower at Pear Mill is in the shape of a pear. I like the shape of the tower and all the patterns in the brick work. I will continue to work on the print a bit more next month.
I visited my local library the other day and discovered an interesting book written by Steve Cliffe about Stockport
The book is a fascinating read and charts the early settlement of was known as ‘Stokeport’ around 1066 up to present day.
Recently I submitted one of my etching aquatints in the Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery Centenary Open Exhibition 2025. I chose the print I created of the Produce Hall.
I also heard that there is to be a new exhibition planned for the autumn organised by Stockport Art Guild in Didsbury.
Earlier this month, I visited PrintFest in Ulverston. Founded in 2001, the festival brings together top artists/printmakers from around the United Kingdom who showcase and sell their contemporary prints at Coronation Hall (‘The Coro’). Printmakers also share their practices and learn from each other.
I purchased a large etching print while I was there as an early birthday present for my mum.
While at the event, I met up with my artist friend Pete Marsh who was one of the artists exhibiting.
The festival provides visitors the chance to chat with the artists and to attend workshops to learn about the art of printmaking.
A week later, I meet up with Pete at his new artist studio at the Falcon Mill Artist Studios and Gallery (FaMAS) open studios event in Bolton. Pete initially setup the FaMAS studios in 2011. The artist studios have increased in numbers since I last visited. There are now 40 studios at the mill.
I purchase one of Pete’s etchings of a horse rider while I was at the open studio event.
The following weekend, I along with a group of friends visited the Portland Basin museum in Ashton-Under-Lyne. I spotted a Letter press machine in one of the shop recreations inside the museum.
The museum on two floors and is a fascinating and well laid out space. The museum backs onto the Ashton canal and there is a chance to go on a short canal trip.
A few weeks ago, I met with a member of staff from Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery who gave me information on the upcoming Centenary Open Exhibition to be held at the gallery next month in celebration of the war memorial art galleries 100 years. I decided to visit my favourite picture framer to get some of my prints ready for future exhibitions. According to the rules, you can only submit one artwork.
Last week, the walking group that I am a member of organised an evening walk of 4 miles around Vernon Park and Woodbank Park.
The walk has given me inspiration to produce a series of Eco Image Transfer prints based on these two local parks. Here is a selection of my prints below.
In a few months, I plan to host another Eco Image Transfer workshop at Stockport Art Gallery similar to the recent Art for All Day.
As part of my study of Woodbank Hall, I made a sketch of the buildings exterior.
I hope to combining my sketch with Eco Image Transfer technique.
I recently purchased an a4 Pooki relief press which I will be using at home to produce new Lino prints.
As another month closes, I look forward to the next few months and more printmaking in the works and maybe another photo walk around town perhaps.
Cheers for now.
COMING SOON: Intaglio Printmaking Workshop hosted by Alan Birch.
Sunday 10th August 2025.
The month of March has been a busy month for me print wise.
Last month, I was given the opportunity to host a small number of Eco Image Transfer Workshops as part of the Art For All Day event organised by Stockport Art Guild.
The print workshops were in three one hour slots and I demonstrated the simple technique of transferring a laser printed image onto paper, card and wood using a eco cleaning product.
The free workshop offered local residents interested in art, but perhaps with limited experience or opportunities, the chance to engage in a range of practical art activities guided by Stockport Art Guild members.
Check out my article about Eco Image Transfer here.
A few weeks ago, I visited the London Original Print Fair at Somerset House for the day and enjoyed the artwork on show by famous and not so famous artists.
A lot of inspirational prints on show. My favourite artist is Peter Blake.
Last weekend, I continued working on my Mezzotint print of the Viaduct. The print will be used for my entry in this year’s Twenty/Twenty Hotbed Press international print exchange.
I’ve also started work on a new etching which depicts the Pear Mill tower. I have created an initial line etching.
I am currently working on a new series of Eco Image Transfer prints focusing on Woodbank Park, the former Boars Head pub and the Bakers Vaults pub. More to follow in my next blog post.
Stockport In Print 
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