Here is my first proof print of the Boars Head Hotel drypoint which is one of a series of drypoints I will be working on in the coming months.
Boars Head Hotel drypoint
Category: Update
The Friends’ Christmas Fair at Helmshore Mills Textile Museum
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
Centenary of the War Memorial Art Gallery
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
Working with Grok
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 ⬇️
Pear Mill etching
Workshops
August has been a busy month for me and it’s not over yet.
On Sunday 10th August, I helped my friend out at an Intaglio printmaking workshop organised by Stockport Art Guild.
Alan Birch was running a 3 hour drypoint session at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery with approximately 15 participants. I was in charge of preparing the paper ensuring it was damp enough and blotted and ready for being printed. The prints created that day were of high quality and there is the possibility of running some more workshops.
A week later on Sunday 17th, I had my chance to run my own workshop at the art gallery which was demonstrating how to create Eco Image Transfer prints.
The 2 hour session went well and participants created some interesting work on cartridge paper, Balsa wood and Fabriano paper. The purpose of the workshop was to introduce this mono printmaking technique using household objects and materials.
I included a photo of the art gallery as a printing subject as it tied in well with the centenary celebrations of the war memorial and art gallery.
Last weekend, I visited the heritage centre based inside St. Mary’s church at the marketplace. The centre is open every Tuesday and Saturday.
The archive includes many photographs, found objects from archeological digs and books about the history of the town.
I spoke with one of its patrons, Jill Trumble and had a look through some of the photographic archive. I think a repeat visit is on the cards as next month there will be an exhibition on Woodbank hall.
I still have to sign and edition my prints for International Print Exchange and the Hotbed press 20:20.
The Centenary Open at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery came to an end on Sunday 24th August and I will be collecting my etching print depicting the Produce Hall this coming weekend.
Viaduct print for 20:20
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
Workshop announcement
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]
Centenary Open Exhibition
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
Pear Mill print
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.
Stockport In Print 
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