'Twas the best of days...

11.20am on the morning of the BIG DAY! Peter Smith had agreed to an exclusive visit at the Acorn Gallery! Back by popular demand! The invitations and the press releases had all been sent, the fabulous new work adorned the carefully hung walls... so where was everyone?

We'd had a couple of people in, looking around and chatting, there'd been a gentleman with his little girl, busy on the Saturday kids clubs runaround, keen to pop back but couldn't be sure... and not a sign of anyone else!

Pocklington was quiet, not many souls about, although at least we knew Peter and Jayne had arrived because they'd popped in to say 'hi' before going next door to The Deli for a coffee. (They have great coffee at The Deli!).

Let's just say John and I were getting a tad nervous, looking round at the beautifully spick and span gallery, carefully dusted, hoovered and mopped and with plates and bowls of carefully chosen nibbles located at suitable intervals!

Peter and Jayne arrived, suitably refreshed after their journey, they had made good time and the traffic was good! We welcomed them with open arms and then it began!

A steady trickle of savvy collectors came through the door, keen to get here early for anything special! For one very special couple they were suitably rewarded for being so prompt! Following their wedding just one week ago, this very lucky couple came along to choose a gift from their wedding guests!

They were able to say 'yes' to two fantastic brand new pencil sketches made available to The Acorn Gallery at the very last minute on Friday!

Champagne flowed and the people just kept coming! Sometimes in two's and sometimes they just poured in! The gallery got pretty full at times and we were kept busy not just chatting and topping up glasses... but selling too! Peters latest work proved incredibly popular with 'Hug Me' and 'Cuddle Me' taking an early lead! 'For The One I Love' caught up quick and 'Sofa Loafers' and 'Together We Make A Family' made a good stand too!

The gallery got very full indeed - so full that I just didn't get chance to take any photos until after it quietened down!

You think this is busy? This wasn't the busiest!!

Peter was fantastic - he spent good quality time with everyone who wanted him and his stories were told over and over again!

John and I were kept on our toes with sale after sale. Peter was signing and dedicating left, right and centre!

Good job he brought a good selection of markers with him - they were put to very good use!

Here are just a few of the lucky people whose chosen images were remarqued on the day!

Two fantastic originals found a home as a result of todays event too - here are the proud owners of 'All You Need Is Love' who came over to Pocklington especially to meet Peter and collect their brand new piece!

Sales came fast and furious and we even had a queue at one point - many thanks to those who waited so patiently :-)

About 2pm we had a lull for 5 minutes - just long enough to catch our breath and bring down some fresh glasses!

We loved it! It is great to see so many people happily chatting and enjoying the work on display! I'm sure the sunshine and the champagne helped but everyone was in good mood and the gallery was buzzing!

Finally, long after the 3pm finish time had passed, Peter and Jayne were able to take their leave. They had seen and spoken with a significant number of collectors! It is always nice to meet up again with regular customers and collectors but it's lovely to meet new people too! There had been plenty of both that day!

Art on all levels...

Last night Diane & I closed the gallery a bit earlier than normal as we were going up to Gateshead to The Sage building to support Kevin Day one of our artists who was exhibiting at The Gateshead Art Fair 2009.

The Sage is an amazing place to look at from the outside. Unfortunately by the time we got there it was too dark to take any photos!!

Once inside the building it was full of art and people. Free drinks were available on arrival however we did not participate instead we elbowed our way through the crowds to search for Kevin.

We eventually found him upstairs on one of the balcony wings and as you can see from the photo below he had a good crowd standing and looking at his new work!!

We managed to grab Kevin & Nicki for a few words and Kevin said that he had already sold 4 pieces and that there was lots of positive comments and great feedback.

Diane & I then had a look at the new work and have pencilled in about half a dozen that we would like to see in the Acorn Gallery if Kevin doesn't sell them at the fair!!

After saying our goodbyes we had a wander round and found the following sculpture:-

These sculptures were made from scrap metal and were amazing to look at. The detail on them was outstanding. The company who made these are called Metalic Creations and we were reliably informed by Tony that they are hoping to do a sculpture of the STIG from Top Gear and also hopefully create sculptures of athletes for the 2012 Olympics!!

As we were heading towards the exit we bumped into Alexander Millar who lives nearby and decided to pop in and see what his former apprentice Kevin Day is up to!!

We had a good chat and left him to speak to other people who were waiting. As we left Alex we spotted Jeff Rowland so stopped and had a chat with Jeff. Jeff is currently unwell and it was nice to see him up and about, however he is not yet up to full strength to get back to the easel so we will be waiting a while for any new work! Take it easy Jeff!

Diane and I also managed to speak to Phil George who is an artist we are keen to showcase in the gallery and whose work we have been watching for a while. We will let you know if anything develops on that front.

Well what can I say? What a fantastic night, hob-nobbing with the top artists from Washington Green, seeing Kevin so busy with lots of people keen to get hold of his superb work and having the chance to see so much art on all levels!!!

October? Are you sure???

Well so much for September? Where did it go? I swear the days are just flying by!

Just to keep you up to date the TOP 3 for last month are:

1.Alexander Millar
2.Bob Dylan
3.Peter Smith

Congratulations to Alex, as included in these stats is the sale of a fantastic original!! Numbers were very close but it will be interesting to see how that changes this month!

So, it's October already and appropriately enough we have a stunning new original entitled 'Tangled (October)' to show you!



Lawrie Williamson is the artist and we have a really good feeling about this guy! This piece is very impressive and if you have chance you really should come in for a look! We have a couple of prints in the same style too!

Now that it is October we are only 10 days away from Peter Smiths exclusive appearance! His new images are really causing a stir and the advance interest has really been something!

We have even sold TWO originals in the space of a week so you can tell that he is just RED HOT just now!

Do remember that this appearance is not part of a tour and is especially for us! You all made him feel so very welcome last year that he is genuinely looking forward to coming back :-)

See you on the 10th between 12-3pm...

September Already!!

Well, we are back from our holiday and I have to say it was fab. The drive down with our caravan on the back was fine and I have said I would do it again!!

September is here and Diane and I are looking forward to going to the ICC event hosted by Washington Green on the 6th September which also happens to be my birthday! What a way to spend your birthday... hob-nobbing with the artists and having the chance to see all the fab new product firsthand!!

We're hoping to get the chance to catch up with Alexander Millar, Peter Smith, Paul Horton, Caroline Shotton, Jeff Rowland... ooh the list goes on! It's a great chance to see what they'be been up to and what they're planning for the year ahead!

Don't worry - we will update you all with as much as we can when we get back!!

On Saturday 12th September we have The Tour Of Britain Cycle Race coming through Pocklington so we are expecting large crowds in town that day! The atmosphere will be great and I am sure all the eaterys will be busy!!

And now - It's ANNOUNCEMENT TIME...

We can reveal that Peter Smith will be appearing here at The Acorn Gallery on Saturday 10th October between 12-3pm!! Be sure to note the date in your diary!

We will be showcasing his new images and hopefully have an original or two :-) If last years appearance is anything to go by then we should have an excellant day!!

If you would like to be included in the guest list then please contact the gallery either by telephone or email to info@theacorngallery.co.uk with your details.

Anyway, moving on ... I can now update you with the top sellers for August. They are as follows:-

1. Peter Smith
2. Jeff Rowland
3. Caroline Shotton

Congratulations to Peter for taking the top spot. Can he maintain top spot in the run up to his appearance in October? All will be revealed at the end of September!!

Summer's Here!!

August is upon on us which means our annual holiday is less than a week away!! We will be closed from the 16th-24th August and re-open on the 25th at 9.30am.

We are heading to sunny Cornwall for sea, sand and relaxation!! However we are not stopping in a static caravan this year we have decided to take our tourer with us!!

I must be mad as it is a long way to take it and it will be the furthest I have towed with it and I am not looking forward to the drive!!

Meanwhile back in the gallery...

I am pleased to announce the arrival of the superb, breathtaking, awesome original Truly, Madly, Deeply by Peter Smith!! (We love it - can you tell?)



If you can get in to the gallery then you really should come in and have a look for yourself and I am sure you will agree with me that its a cracker!!

The results are now in for the top sellers for July and they are:-

1. Bob Dylan
2. Peter Smith
3. Paul Horton
4. Govinder Nazran

Congratulations to Bob Dylan who predictably took the top spot, only four pieces left now and no more are available from the publisher, so if you would like to ride this train then get on board quick :-) It's nice to see Govinder stay in the top four too!

We are delighted to announce the release of some fantastic NEW CUFFLINKS!!
Check these out...
One Man & His Dog by Alexander Millar

Mooona Lisa by Caroline Shotton


Moody Blues by Neil Dawson

Shiny Happy Campers by Sarah Graham

Checkout the website www.theacorngallery.co.uk and see the slideshow of the new cufflinks. RESERVE YOURS NOW!!

Dylan 2009!!

Friday 24th July - Diane & I stayed later than usual in order to move the gallery around and hang the Bob Dylan signed graphics! We got stuck in with great gusto, taking down framed pieces for storage before hanging and unveiling the new Dylans!

Saturday 25th July - Diane & I arrived at the gallery early and shut ourselves in, we even put the shutters down! We still had bits and pieces of paperwork to do in readiness for the launch. At precisely 10am we put the shutter up, hoping to see at least a few people waiting to come in but the street seemed no busier than usual.



By 10.30am however we were well underway with enquiries starting to come in via email and the telephone! People calling into the gallery were keen to discuss this latest collection and compare it to the debut pieces from 2008 - their verdict? Most people agreed that this is an even stronger collection than last year!

We did manage a cuppa about midday - something we didn't get at all last year!

Over the day we had fans of all ages coming in to see and many had been with him 'man and boy'! Before we knew it it was 4pm and the gallery had another quiet spell so we took the chance again to put the kettle on!

By 5.30pm on launch day we had sold a total of 12 images, with sales as far away as the USA! Our decison to be in on the 2009 Dylan launch had paid off! Sales for the day were fantastic!

So, now we have only four Dylan pieces left and we think that even they will be soon gone! Anyone wanting to be a part of this journey needs to get on board fast!

Diane & I would just like to say a massive 'THANKYOU!' to all those people who came along and especially to those who bought!

Will there be any more Dylan prints in the future - we hope so because there will be alot of disappointed people out there if not!!

25th July 2009 10am!!

Saturday 25th July - 'mark it in your diary!' This is the launch date for the eagerly awaited 2nd release from The Drawn Blank Series by Bob Dylan.

There are only eight images being released all images are HAND SIGNED limited edition graphics and we are expecting the media interest in this to be huge!

Those who wish to receive an invitation to this event can contact us either by telephone 01759 307652 or email:- info@theacorngallery.co.uk

We can see already that interest in these new images is such that early contact is essential if you are keen to reserve a piece from this release.

Do not miss out on the chance to own a fabulous piece of art from this iconic music legend!!

Box Building for Beginners!

Following the auction on Friday evening we had a more complicated box to build than usual!

Since box building is an interesting pastime and needs careful attention at all times, we thought you would be interested to see what processes we go through in order to properly package your purchases which are to be entrusted to a courier!

Watch the video for an interesting overview!

Animoto.com

Fine Art Auction

Just a quick entry to let you know about our Fine Art Auction which will be held on Friday 10th July from 6pm at The Acorn Gallery, 5 Market Place, Pocklington.



There will be a superb selection of work and even some 'treasure' in the form of items which are no longer generally available!

Please email info@theacorngallery.co.uk or ring 01759 307652 for a sale catalogue!

Champagne will be flowing and Chris Clubley is sure to entertain so come on down and bid for a bargain!!

A donation will be made to Marie Curie Cancer Care on proceeds raised on the evening.