River Tyne
One of the first commissions I received when I went self employed back in 1984 was to do two original watercolours of the River Tyne near the North Shields Fish Quay.
North East
20th Birthday for the Angel
The 17th February 2018 marks the 20th Birthday for the Angel. Created by Anthony Gormley, the “Gateshead Angel” or “The Angel of the North” has become an icon for the North East, often featured on television when a reference for the region is needed. Opinions are divided about the Angel but I’m in the camp … Read more
Painting of Seaton Sluice
Earlier this summer I painted a small sketchbook watercolour Painting of Seaton Sluice on location. As well as being a family day out, it was a typical summers day in the north east, patches of blue sky with sunlight bursting through dark threatening clouds. I decided to work the sketch up into a larger 14” x … Read more
Springtime
It’s springtime! As I’m writing this blog post the weather outside feels distinctly more like winter but that’s not untypical for April in the north east of England. Despite the weather, springtime is the theme for my exhibition currently on show at my gallery in Ponteland throughout the month of April. Because we can experience … Read more
City Church Portraits
Over the last 12 months I have been working on a painting project for City Church Newcastle which meets at the CastleGate, Melbourne Street, Newcastle. In the summer of 2013 I was approached by Ed Morrow (who manages the CastleGate) asking my advice about what kind of artwork would look good in the new atrium … Read more
The Art Tour
The Network Artists North East annual Art Tour begins this weekend. This ever popular event, now in its 19th year, gives you the opportunity to meet artists from around the North East who are opening up their studios for The Art Tour. This year I’ve decided to display many of my sketchbooks which contain numerous … Read more
My North East by its Famous Sons and Daughters
“My North East by its Famous Sons and Daughters” is a new coffee-table book packed with in-depth interviews with 65 of the best-known people from the North East. It features celebrities from stage and screen, musical heroes and sporting legends of all ages. It also has a page dedicated to yours truly. I’m genuinely humbled … Read more
A Room with a View
For most of my career as an artist I’ve had quite small cramped studios to paint in. In 2006 we decided to look into the possibility of building a Studio in the loft space of our home in Ponteland. The plans were passed in 2007 and building commenced later that year. In July 2008 we … Read more
OWN IT Celebrating 15 years
North East Charity OWN IT are celebrating their 15th birthday on Friday 30th November at the CastleGate on Melbourne Street. Alan Reed Art will be joining in with the Charity auction by donating a framed limited edition print to help this North East based charity. Established in 1997 with the work of Richard Davies MBE … Read more
Longsands Beach, Tynemouth
I recently heard from one of my clients that a North East artist has been spreading false rumours that I never paint on location. Here is a blog post to put that nonsense to rest.