ORIGINAL A4 Alum Ale House 26/4/25

Sheila is now hot on the trail of Shields Artist George McVay 1902-1967 the son of a clerk with the local council whose occupation George was to follow. A naturally gifted amateur he was self-taught and did not begin exhibiting until c.1923 when he showed at the Artists of the Northern Counties exhibitions at the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle. Towards the end of World War II he received a commission from the Shields Gazette to supply scraperboard illustrations of local views .. These were to have a huge influence on Sheila when she saw them aged 8 when her Mam bought a set that Xmas.

Many of the subjects covered by George have been drawn by Sheila too - with no direct comparison in her head, she drew them because she lived nearby or just liked the place.. NOW she is looking at places she has NOT drawn and he DID ..like The Alum Ale House - or Alum House Ham as it was when George drew it in 1949. The distinctive bow windows are the same but all else has change around it , though you can still view the Tyne Ferry coming and going as you enjoy a pint on the decking. The Ferry Hotel he drew opposite has long gone.

£80.00 A4 Watercolour & pen & Ink unframed includes P&P all profit rolls off to our 3 charities