I am so fortunate to live in the beautiful North East of England. I have open countryside practically on my doorstep and this wild landscape has inspired a new series of work.

This wide terrain is often quite flat before developing into lightly undulating hills. Farmed land intertwines with  wild moorland, home to weather-beaten plant life clinging on against the elements. The climate in this part of the world is uniquely British. Often, the weather is so changeable, you can witness all four seasons within the same day! The key to exploring Weardale is making sure you are well prepared for all eventualities!

So far, I have produced four paintings inspired by the wonderful landscape of Weardale. All are acrylic on either canvas (or canvas board) and for sale in my shop.

In addition, signed prints are available in a range of sizes and affordable prices from my Etsy shop www.etsy.com/uk/shop/GrahamSteadArt or by contacting me directly.

The decline of retail across the towns and cities of the UK has led to many smaller businesses to loose out. Following the imminent closure of Mark & Spencer and House of Fraser, shops and services in my home town of  Darlington pulled together to introduce a loyalty/discount scheme.

I was delighted to be asked to help with this campaign, so produced a couple of digital images to be used on their promotional material. To be honest, it gave me a much needed chance to develop my 'Procreate' skills. In fact, it has led to further requests for more digital art. Maybe this will give me an excuse to buy a new ipad!

First things first. I've been meaning to paint my children (not literally, of course) since they we're babies.

Like most parents these days, we have countless photos thanks to the digital revolution but, no paintings (even though I'm an artist and my eldest is now 10!) thanks to the hectic nature of our lives after the digital revolution. In an attempt to make sense of this dichotomy, as well as the fact that I couldn't think of a half decent Mother's Day present, I reached for the canvas and brushes.

The idea was that it would be a pair with his younger brother, but unfortunately (thanks again to the hectic nature of our lives after the digital revolution!) that canvas remains white.

Watch this space, although I'm taking bets that it will be done just in time for Mother's Day 2019!

I am delighted to offer two more large A2 prints for sale.

The original paintings are acrylic and pencil on board. They look amazing when professionally 'Giclee' printed. The colours are vibrant and deep.

'The King' is based on a grainy old photo of the King or Rock'n'Roll himself, Elvis Presley. He was such a cool dude in the 50's & 60's and fans would go crazy just to touch him. It was a pleasure to paint and, along with the other image, was the first chance I've had to use my new pencils mixed with white spirit (blog about this coming soon!)

'Brit Guitar' was, to be honest, just an excuse to paint a guitar! I'm a real guitar nut and just wish I could play half as well as I can paint. Again, this one was a pleasure to do and looks great hanging on the wall of my studio.

If you would like a closer view of these two uber-cool prints, just click the link to my shop below. 

There are a number of other paintings in the pipeline, so keep checking back for updates.

Being from the rainiest, dullest, windiest, dampest part of England (the North East) I'm used to wrapping up warm against the driving drizzle of the North Sea. California, seems a world apart. Sunshine, the Hollywood sign, Rodeo Drive, sunshine, Santa Monica pier, sand and sunshine.

Last week was the annual NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) show in Anaheim California. The world's largest, and craziest, exhibition of musical instruments and accessories.

I have recently been lucky enough to begin a collaboration with LIBERTY DRUMS, the UK's premier boutique drum maker.

The drum above is the first of a proposed range of British themed pieces. It has been hand painted using Acrylics in a 'drip' style and taken across the Atlantic to feature in this year's NAMM show. In fact, it's still there in the Liberty Drums California Office and available for sale.

I am looking forward to producing more bespoke, hand painted drums with Liberty, so keep checking my website for new additions.

Please contact me if you are interested in a custom painted item of your own or would like to ask any questions.

If you would like to know more about Liberty Drums, then check them out below. I know Andrew at Liberty will be happy to tell you more.

I happened to have my sketchbook handy as I watched the final moments of last season's football on TV.

I live in the North East of England and I was struck by the bitter rivalry between the region's two teams. Newcastle (relegated from the Premier League the previous season) were already champions and had secured their promotion back to the top flight. Sunderland, conversely, we're on their way down. I imagined representing each team (indeed, each City) as a single fan. One travelling upwards, the other passing him on the way down. I did a quick sketch, posted on facebook and sat back to see if there was any response. The idea was not necessarily to show the art but, maybe, start a discussion.

Incredibly, I was inundated with requests for the image. I ended up selling prints, producing two hand drawn 'copies' for other customers and even had a request from the local newspaper (The Northern Echo) to use the image in an article! It's funny, but there was never any original intention to sell the image. Unexpectedly, it just seemed to strike a chord.

If I had known, I would have posted something far more polished. Maybe a painting, or more considered drawing. Certainly, not a five minute sketch, ripped from a book! Then again, if I had, it might not have been as popular. So I guess I'll never know.

As a guitar freak and (decidedly average) guitar player, a friend of mine gave me a cheap, old broken guitar. "You're one of those creative types, aren't you?" he said. "Can you do anything with this?"

The guitar had a broken headstock (the bit at the end of the neck with the tuning pegs on, for those of you who don't know the first thing about guitars). That meant it would need a new neck. So.... Ebay. The body was bright red and spattered with scratches and dings. Easy, I thought. I'll give it a quick sand down and paint something fancy on it. Give me a couple of weeks.

Oh, did I mention this was over 10 years ago.

I'm sure we all have these types of projects. The 'I'll sort that thingymabob out one day' kind of projects. Maybe it's a creative endeavour (like my guitar), or some DIY or desire to learn something new. I know, I've been meaning to fix my back gate. It's been hanging off for years now. This guitar was like that. It hung around my studio for years, always being superseded by the latest idea. Gathering dust. Half finished.

Anyway, now its done! I was a little constrained in my design, due to the fact that when I sanded it down (a horrendous task, NEVER do it), I discovered it was made of plywood! The top and bottom looked great, but the sides looked like, well..... plywood. Hence, the dark sky around the edges. I'm particularly pleased with the plastic scratch-guard, which I made myself out of acrylic (another horrendous task, NEVER do it) and engraved by hand with 50's style lettering to match the pin up theme.

Now all I need is another friend to give me another beaten up old guitar. Then we can see what can be created in the next ten years.