99149fe5

Graysons Chesterfield New Premises Launch

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 10:54:31 GMT

I was contacted Graysons by Solicitors to create a series of locally inspired artworks for their Chesterfield branch office move to The Glass Yard...

Anyone who has visited The Glass Yard, Chesterfield will know just how great this place is. From incredible eateries to ultra-cool specialist and artisan shops, its a great location, easy to find and has loads of parking.

As soon as I stepped into what was going to become Graysons new Chesterfield Office, I loved it. The space is so fresh, modern and has a great urban/industrial vibe to it. It was however, missing one thing... Some Alan! After a great site visit with the Graysons team, I set to work on a series of vibrant artworks to adorn the walls ready for the the big launch. Each piece features a well-known or hidden gem of Chesterfield; there's more than the famous Crooked Spire, you know :D

I first met Peter and the Graysons team in 2017 when they were preparing to re-locate their offices to a newer and larger space in Sheffield City Centre. Peter wanted to discuss having some Sheffield inspired artwork created for the walls of their new offices (you can read my blog about it here) and since then we have had a great working relationship on a number of fantastic projects, from Charity causes to Premier Sponsorships.

Graysons Chesterfield branch had been located at Saltergate for a number of years, but were about to move to an awesome new Office based at The Glass Yard, Chesterfield. The space is stunning, modern and has a very trendy urban/industrial vibe to it. Heres the fun part, what artwork would suit the space!? We ran through a number of ideas of what would be good to feature and decided vibrant, bold pieces depicting some of Chesterfields best known and loved locations would look great.

If you're stopping by Graysons Chesterfield branch, make sure to grab an amazing donut or wood fired pizza from the Glass Yard whilst you're there, you won't regret it!

Above; Peter Clark, Graysons Managing Partner & Councillor Tony Rogers .

On 16th November 2022, Grayson’s Chesterfield opened it’s doors for the official launch with an evening of food, drinks and great company at The Glass Yard, Chesterfield. The evening was a huge success, with hundreds of guests joining the Lord Mayor of Chesfterfield, Councillor Tony Rogers, as he cut the ribbon and officially unveiled the new offices. I met so many lovely people that evening and was thrilled to talk them through the pieces and any hidden details within them.

Above: Amy Buxton - Ashgate Hospice & Artist Alan Pennington .

Above: Councillor Tony Rogers & John Croot, Chesterfield FC & Community Trust Chief Executive .

You can read more about the launch night coverage by DerbyshireTimes.co.uk here !

Be A Local Hero!

Wed, 20 May 2020 20:17:12 GMT

The recent events have affected us all in different ways and I’m lucky that I have a skill that I’ve been able to put to good use during this time.

With all going on lately around COVID-19 & lockdown, it really got me thinking and being stuck in on lockdown has it's fair share of challenges. I wanted to do something, no matter how big or small, to help raise money for the NHS and keep the kids entertained for a little while too.

So I created a downloadable colouring sheet! I opted to use my Hendo's "Local Hero" character which I first created back in 2007, and this time gave him a makeover. Standing strong (& northern) , I placed him in front of a rainbow - which has become a symbol of hope and solidarity throughout the recent events, and aptly changed the tagline to " Be A Local Hero " #StayHomeSaveLives .

I have been overwhelmed with how many of you have downloaded the colouring sheet and in turn, donated much needed funds to the amazing NHS Charities Together, including Graysons Solicitors who donated a whopping £250, and can't thank you all enough!

The piece has since become a sign on the giant electronic billboards of Sheffield, on Penistone Road and the Sheffield Parkway to spread the steel spirit and hope amongst the people & businesses of our special city.

Download your Colouring Sheet here!

You can read a news article about the piece here!

Listen to my Interview with BBC Radio Sheffield below!

Art in the Gardens 2019 Sponsorship Collaboration

Fri, 06 Sep 2019 20:02:25 GMT

Art in the Gardens 2019 collaboration with Premier Sponsor, Graysons Solicitors

Graysons made their mark on the local arts world two years ago when they commissioned me to create a number of designs for their new offices. The then Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Cllr Anne Murphy , who herself has a keen interest in the arts, officially unveiled Grayson's new premises holding the largest collection of my artwork in the city.

" We’ve enjoyed a great relationship with Alan Pennington over the last couple of years and it’s great to be able to work with him again at this event and to help provide other local artists with the opportunity to showcase their works at Sheffield’s Botanical Gardens. ”

- Peter Clark, Managing Partner

Above: Peter Clark & Alan Pennington Below: Peter Clark , Joe Scarborough & Alan Pennington

Above: Alan Pennington , BBC Radio Sheffield Presenter, Paulette Edwards & Peter Clark

Graysons New Premises Launch

Thu, 26 Oct 2017 19:58:28 GMT

A short while back, I was asked if I would be interested in creating some Sheffield themed artwork to adorn the walls of the new offices of Grayson’s Solicitors, Sheffield.

Above; Alan Pennington & Peter Clark , Graysons Managing Partner

After the first meeting with Peter and the team to discuss their vision, tonnes of brilliant ideas were flowing and I was eager to get working on a whole load of exciting new Sheffield artworks.

Grayson’s was first formed way back in 1925 and is one of the oldest law firms in Sheffield, so it was a privilege to work on such a large and important project for them. The company was preparing to move from their former home in Paradise Square, to a much bigger and more modern premises at Courtwood House, Silver Street Head. The brief – to create artworks for each meeting room, (all of which are named after Sheffield parks) and to continue the Sheffield-themed artwork along the walls of the reception, corridors and into the open plan offices. I couldn’t wait to get started!

On 12th October, Grayson’s opened it’s doors for the official launch. The evening was a huge success, with scores of guests joining the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Anne Murphy, as she officially unveiled the brand new offices. I met so many great people that evening and was really heartened by so many kind words about my artwork. The venue also doubled as the biggest art exhibition I have held to date, and will continue to be an exhibition space of my artworks both old and new for visitors.

To mark the grand opening, the venue was also the first place to see a brand new trio of Henderson’s Relish pieces I’m planning to release for sale in the run up to Christmas, and all guests received an exclusive mug designed for the launch night, and of course, a bottle of Henderson’s Relish!

You can read about the launch night coverage by WelcomeSheffield.co.uk here !

Lizzie Ward IPA - Lost Industry Brewing

Mon, 01 Aug 2016 16:49:06 GMT

With all of the excitement of Herd of Sheffield lately, it was an honour when Lost Industry Brewing asked me to create the label artwork for their tribute beer, Lizzie Ward IPA!

I didn’t need to think twice . These guys are ramping through the beer world putting themselves well and truly on the map as mighty beer brewer of Sheffield. Since my last design contribution to Lost Industry, they have brewed some belters which have taken the city (and way, way beyond) , by storm. Mojito beer, Sorachi Chilli, Pineapple Beer, Nettle Gose – they have an ever-changing range of traditional and experimental craft beers.

Lizzie Ward IPA is a very traditional IPA recipe, which takes it’s name is from the infamous elephant of Sheffield, Lizzie. You see, during the First World War, the city’s horses were enrolled by the military, so it was ‘Lizzie‘, an elephant borrowed from a local circus, who helped cart heavy loads of steel and machinery in Sheffield during the First World War! After doing my research, and having worked very close to a certain giant elephant statue very recently, I was feeling sufficiently inspired to get creating the label artwork for this fine brew. The design of course, features Lizzie, pulling her famous cart, which in this instance just so happens to be laiden with a bounty of barrels full of Lost Industry’s Lizzie Ward IPA! The background features the industrial, smokey chimneys of Sheffield, famously part of the skyline at the time – look closely and you might even spot the Kelham Island Chimney House! Finally, Lizzie is also enjoying a pint of her namesake, and replicating the official Herd of Sheffield logo, she’s spraying it over her chops like a good ‘un!

It was an absolute pleasure to work on this label, and the beer has already been receiving some sterling reviews online and on UnTappd. So, stock up and enjoy a bottle or three this summer during the Herd of Sheffield elephant hunt!

Herd of Sheffield

Mon, 11 Jul 2016 13:06:22 GMT

"Our City, Our Home" - Alan Pennington

In the Summer of 2016 I was extremely proud to have been part of the Herd of Sheffield Elephant Trail - The largest Charity Public Art Event the City has ever seen!

The trail saw 58 unique painted elephants scattered around the city making a trail for people to follow. What made this project so brilliant was that it not only got people visiting and discovering all corners of our stunning city, but also raised a substantial amount of money for The Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity and The Artfelt Programme .

Now, measuring 1.6m tall, this was the largest & most unusual project I’ve ever put my artwork onto . The day I collected my elephant and brought her back to the studio there really was an elephant in the room! A vast, blank canvas stood in front of me in the shape of a giant white elephant, and for a while I contemplated where to begin. It had been one thing sketching out my elephant design on flat paper, but taking it onto a 3D elephant shaped canvas was a very different situation. The first thing I realised was that I needed to take my time drawing the artwork onto the elephant so I could get used to working over the contours, nooks and crannies of the sculpture in order to get comfortable working in this way as opposed to on a flat canvas. It didn’t take too long to get used to working like this, and pretty soon the whole process felt really natural. There were some “interesting” moments involving what felt like expert yoga moves in order to draw & paint on parts of the sculpture; In particular, laying flat on the floor in order to paint the Leffy’s belly whilst dodging blobs of green paint which dripped back down every now and again! I looked like Shrek by the end of that day!

It took about a week to complete my elephant , and once she was ready and varnished, I returned her to the Herd HQ ready for launch day a week later. I don’t think i’ve ever been so careful with anything in my life!

The Herd launched on 11th July and it was a very proud moment for me. I have been incredibly flattered and humbled by people’s reactions to my elephant design. I’ve seen so many selfies, ( or “elphies” as they call them ) of friends and families huddled around her, smiling ear-to-ear, and I have received loads of kind emails about how people have loved looking at the mural of Sheffield which features on my elephant design.

From seeing elderly couples pointing out the different buildings on my elephant design and smiling as they reminisce, to seeing families and their children loving the bright colours and checking the elephant off on their Herd of Sheffield App, it has been a very heart-warming project.

Above: Lord Mayor Cllr Denise Fox & The Sheffield Children's Hospital Charity team with " Our City, Our Home ".

After three months it was time for the herd go off to auction and to their new homes. To me, they had all become a part of our city and were iconic landmarks in their own right. Everyone embraced them from day one. The great thing is though, they have left a legacy of memories and photographs for so many people whilst they were on our streets for all to enjoy; and although they may no longer live amongst us on the streets around our city, they will have gone off to new homes and raised much needed money for an incredible cause in their departure.

�� Fun Facts about my “Sheffalump”! ��

• She was located at the iconic Park Hill Flats, Sheffield , in the same spot the TARDIS lands in Doctor Who!

• There is a small heart shape hidden somewhere on the body of my elephant.

• Our City, Our Home was the first elephant to be placed on the Herd of Sheffield Trial .

• Sheffield band, Reverend & The Makers showed love for my elephant artwork

• My elephant was the first to be auctioned at the Herd of Sheffield Auction at the Crucible.

She raised a superb £4,200 for the Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity .

• There are 17 iconic landmarks & scenes of Sheffield featured in my elephant design.

Hole Lotta Fun!

Mon, 23 Nov 2015 21:00:50 GMT

Working on my first ever beer label - what a treat!

The awesome Sheffield Craft Beer Brewers, Lost Industry Brewing got in touch and wanted to feature my "Hole In't Road" artwork on their beer bottle to make it nostalgic tipple. I thoroughly enjoyed the project, and of course, made sure to try a few and they certainly were a treat! Cheers!

For the Record!

Tue, 16 Sep 2014 23:00:00 GMT

A Customised Piece requested by the Local Vinyl Legend himself - Barry Everard of Record Collector Sheffield!

I was truly humbled to have been asked by Local CD & Vinyl Legend, Barry Everard of Record Collector Sheffield , to create one of my custom Record Collector pieces for him. We discussed which 14 album covers to go in the windows, which were all Sheffield bands; some very well known, and some lesser know little gems. The artwork was covered by the Sheffield Star and an article about the piece can be read here!

Above: Record Collector Sheffield's Barry Everard holds up his new favourite mug & personalised painting.

If you’ve never been to Record Collector Sheffield, you must know it is an absolute treasure of a music shop, and a true jewel in Sheffield’s music heritage crown. Over the years, practically every Sheffield band you can think of have passed through the doors and chatted with Barry {Bit of trivia here: the album cover for Little Man Tates’ ‘About What You Know’ was shot inside Record Collector, Sheffield}. Always selfless, and incredibly supportive of Sheffield bands, big and small, Barry has promoted and sold tonnes of debut albums for now world famous bands, back when they were but a blip on the radar. I’ve got many fond memories of searching through the thousands of albums Barry has at Record Collector, and discovered some incredible singers and bands which shaped my music collection over the years, and all because of this superb shop.

Above: Alan Pennington & Record Collector Store Owner, Barry Everard with fully Customisable Painting!

Exhibition @ The Forum, Sheffield

Sun, 20 Jul 2014 21:41:04 GMT

I was contacted recently by the lovely folk at The Forum, Sheffield (@ForumSheffield), and was asked to exhibit a selection of my Sheffield themed artwork over the Summer.

I was delighted, and I have to say, the venue is perfect. With characterful white brick walls, and an effortlessly cool vibe about the place, I couldn’t have asked for a better place to exhibit my artwork!

So if you’re in Sheffield or near by, stop by, grab a coffee (or something stronger) and check it out!

The exhibition runs from 20th July – 25th August 2014.