Neil Buchanan, the creator, artist, producer and presenter behind the two times BAFTA award-winning TV sensation – Art Attack – is dipping his toe into new waters and has created his first ever collection of published fine art. Entitled Neil Buchanan’s HOPE STREET, the 12-strong series of limited edition prints paint a nostalgic and evocative picture that tells “the story of childhood” and includes two enchanting fishing images ‘Got One!’ and ‘Tiddlers’.
The ideas behind the collection are drawn from Neil Buchanan’s childhood memories of growing up in Liverpool and like so many other children of the 1960s, Neil played in the great outdoor adventure playground, before traffic and computers saw play confined indoors.
Speaking about the HOPE STREET collection, Neil Buchanan said: “I want to take you on a special journey. This voyage doesn’t involve a long car ride or train trip, because my HOPE STREET is not a place, it’s a state of mind… and it’s a nice place to be. When I went out fishing at the canal or the local pond, I walked down my very own HOPE STREET everyday with the gift that only children truly possess in abundant measure – imagination.”
After a Facebook page (entitled RIP Neil Buchanan) spread the rumour that ‘the Art Attack Man’ had died, Neil began to reflect, record and paint his childhood experiences including fishing in winter on the canal bank in Liverpool and fishing in summer on the ponds by Hartley’s Jam factory.
Speaking about the inspiration behind the wintry ‘Tiddlers’ painting Neil recalled: “It was early morning in the winter on the canal bank, when we would spend many hours with our homemade rods, and the inevitable damp bottoms trying to catch a fish. Of course, there was always ‘the one’ who got away… still, we lived in hope.”
Recalling the idea behind his summery fishing painting entitled ‘Got One!’ Neil added: “Back then every pond was a bountiful ocean before the tidal wave of housing estates came, but it was always the other person who caught one. Still, there was always the next time!”
Got One! ©Copyright Neil Buchanan 2011 & Tiddlers ©Copyright Neil Buchanan 2011
Both images have been reproduced with an edition size of 295 each worldwide and each fine art print has been personally signed and numbered by the artist. As part of the exclusive offer for orders placed on line, the prints are delivered FREE in a branded gift box, with a free 36 page souvenir brochure and signed certificate of authenticity.
HOPE STREET is proof (if it were needed) that ‘The Art Attack Man’s’ talents stretch far beyond the boundaries of drawing cartoons, papier maché model making and his awesome ‘Big Art’ creations on Art Attack.
“I had six million young art critics every week on Art Attack and it was their opinions I cared about most. Normal people don’t have art hanging on their walls, they have pictures! The greatest honour will be if people like my HOPE STREET paintings enough to hang them on their walls. That will be the biggest approval rating for me!”
Each signed limited edition print is available via www.neilbuchanan.co.uk for £299 each.
Got One! (gift boxed) ©Copyright Neil Buchanan 2011
