Steven Howard Artist

In the gallery we certainly get some interesting characters, from those that just want a greetings card to those that only purchase originals. Then we get those people that don't understand the difference and don't want to listen and learn. An original is the only one in the world and created by the artist, who has spent many hours in not just painting but also researching the subject beforehand. A limited edition is produced from the original. A photograph or scan is produced and a digital image is then used to create giclée prints. You can view all originals, limited editions and open editions direct from the website here or visit the gallery at Trentham. Kiosk 1, Trentham Retail Village, Stone Road. ST48AX

When you have nothing to say or nothing that inspires you, you just ponder and think. I paint with emotion and feelings, and it frustrates me when people visit my gallery and say "No, nothing in here!" They literally spend 10 to 20 seconds looking at one wall. Here's my rant, people that start talking about other artists whilst supposedly admiring my work. "Oh did you see that artists exhibition at such a place, he's very talented, I'd love a painting of his!" WHAT!!! How rude! Insensitive beyong belief. If you're visiting a gallery that showcases paintings from one artist then you should admire and keep opinions to yourself. If you have a genuine question relating to the artwork or products on display then those questions will be answered. Rant over! I hope this helps in changing the actions of those insensitive people and hope they take on-board the time and effort in producing an original to then showcase those faithfully reproduced pr...

It was in the Summer of 2023 that I noticed my vision began to deteriorate. Each day my eyesight became blurry and I just thought I needed to rest. In late August of 2023 I woke up with eyes blistering and pain to the right eye, my partner suggested I go to the doctor. The drive to the health clinic was a bit scary, my vision began to worsen in particular my right eye. I was not seeing clear lines and everything was converging to the left. I was sent to the emergency eye clinic in Stoke-on-Trent uhnm.nhs UHNM where I was treated for conjunctivitis, it was not conjunctivitis! After a week or so and medication that just didn't work I was admitted for more investigations. Central Retinal Artery Occlusion (CRAO) was the diagnosis. It's the sudden blockage of the central Retinal Artery, resulting in Retinal hypoperfusion, rapidly progressive cellular damage and vision loss. It has been a struggle and I've had to adapt. Painting has been slow and tedious but I will get there with...

  Sorry it's so long! It has been a while since my last blog but I've been busy in the gallery creating new originals, helping out with frame fixings to placing limited editions to showcase. We had an event month for our exclusive members in August which resulted in a great turnout and our members saved 15% on their purchases. I recently started pet portraits again after a long time and has proved to be very popular. I just hope they don't all turn up a week before Christmas wanting portraits lol, I really need to put a cut off date for olders for Christmas. That cut off date will be 1st December 2025. So if you want your pooch captured in colour, please reserve your place. A4 pet portraits are £150 includes mount and frame. A3 Pet Portraits are £300 includes mount and frame. Here's some examples: So if you're looking to book your slot? Pop into the gallery: Steven Howard Gallery Unit 70, Trentham Retail Shopping Village, Stone Road. ST48AX

You’d never know it by looking at me. You’ll never know that today, just getting out of bed was a victory. The smile I gave at the store was the only one I had in me. My forced facial expression, my clothes, my routine - I’m still breaking. Because grief doesn’t always look like tears. Sometimes it looks like forced laughter. Like perfectly turned out. Like showing up, nodding politely, and answering, “I’m doing okay,” when I’m really not. I wear the mask to protect myself. To keep from making people uncomfortable. To keep from breaking down in the middle of a meeting, a dinner, a day. But underneath? I'm screaming. I'm trying my best to hold it together with threadbare hope and sheer willpower. I'm carrying the weight of the person I lost in everything I do - quietly, invisibly, relentlessly. So, if I seem short today, or quiet, or like I'm “not myself"... If I cancel plans or I don’t answer your text... If I smile but it doesn't quite reach my eyes......

 At Steven Howard Gallery they are showcasing quite a few additional pieces in August and their exclusive members are getting discounts of up to 15% when applying a promo code at checkout. (Minimum spend £240 applies). Click image to subscribe To become a member simply subscribe and they'll send you the most recent newsletter link with their monthly offer.

It's with great sadness and a heavy heart that I have the heartbreaking announcement of the passing of my Mum. You were one in a million. Passed away peacefully Saturday 19th April 2025.  You've grown your angel wings, heaven has truly gained a new angel. I'm absolutely heartbroken and in complete shock. My tears just won't stop. I know that we can't live forever and I know we can't choose our time. I didn't get the chance to say goodbye and yet I drove as quickly as I could to be with you but the angels took you so quick. No pain now and no worries. Rest in peace mum, you're with your dad, your mum and brothers, Terry and Bill.  I was only looking at some old photos a few days ago of aunty nans farm. You loved going on the farm and I loved the stories you told me. So sorry we didn't get to celebrate Mother's Day like we used to, what I would give to have one last chat together. Thank you for all the wonderful memories, your love and guidance, ...

  I wanted to name my latest oil painting "The sea, the sky & everything in-between" but having numerous discussions with others, the thought was the title was too long. The decision to name it "Reflections" was easy, because that's what the painting conjours up. We reflect on stages in life, make decisions, set out goals and celebrate achievements. Not forgetting of course the obvious reflections of the boats and masts captured in the deep blues to create the sea.   "Reflections" it is and the series will be "The sea, the sky & everything in-between". More paintings of the ocean, beach scenes and coastline will be displayed in the coming months at the gallery in Trentham along with paintings from the gardens.  I've decided to tackle some commissions, pet portraits will be accepted on a  "First come, first served"  basis and will begin in May. Just pop into Steven Howard Gallery at Trentham and we'll take your detail...

 To all our loyal customers, your support is very much appreciated. We couldn't have done it without you.  Although my personal journey started when I was just 3 years old, our journey as a small business started just 2 years ago. The markets were hard work, sorting stock out for the next event, getting up in the early hours on Saturday morning. It wasn't too bad in Summer, but winter, that was harsh! Anyway that's all in the past, we are now settled in our Trentham gallery/shop. Click image for website Steven Howard Gallery  Unit 70, Trentham Retail Village,  Stone Road, Stoke-on-Trent. ST4 8AX  In just 6 weeks it does seem we have out grown our little shop already! Who knows where our next adventure will take us? A bigger gallery where you can have a sit down and a coffee while you ponder over the next wall art for your home. See you all very soon!

Yes, not quite March, but my last painting "Misty Morning" has been reserved, so it's off to the photographer. A new painting on the go for the gallery/shop is underway titled "Young hearts run free!" It's about halfway and should take me a few more days of titivating between drying times and a spot of fine detailing.  This painting conjures up so many emotions! A young couple running through a puddle barefoot passing an old abandoned church. You can see the final developments of this painting throughout the latter days of February until it's completion in March and other examples of my work at the Gallery/Shop in Trentham Shopping Village. Steven Howard Kiosk 1 Trentham Retail Village Stone Road Stoke-on-Trent ST4 8AX

 Yes, it's been a week. Everyday from 10am till 5pm in the Gallery/Shop at Trentham Shopping Village. Saturday 1st February was absolutely unbelievable, the Chinese New Year Festival was in full swing, the place was buzzing and the Gallery had a great day. In fact the Sunday was also busy, it did tail off in the week just as I expected but the footfall at Trentham was still busy. I'm painting an original every month to keep up with demand. It's quite funny people were mistaking me for an artist that has challenged himself to paint an original every day. "Are you that guy that's bin on TV? He's painting a painting every day tha nose!" "If only I could, I have one eye, I have difficulty painting at all tha nose" lol.  The piece I'm working on at the minute is called Morning Mist and is the first in in the series of Friendship. Pop in anytime from 10am and 5pm until the end of February to see it completed. A new piece will be on the easel in Mar...

My Dream!  It's always been a dream to own my own business and the journey has been rocky. Steering the ship through turbulent waters saps your energy but with help and the support of friends, family and suppliers there's light at the end of the tunnel. There's been some tough decisions along the way but it's all come together to bring this exciting news...  It's certainly a massive decision considering the high street has taken a big hit and many big stores have gone. We've been growing at an alarming rate and to keep up with demand we've had to expand to show more originals and limited editions.  It's now official, I've signed on the dotted line and ready to move into kiosk 1 on the Trentham Shopping Village, Stone Road, Trentham, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 8JG  Posters are going up this week and I'll be in from the 14th January on sporadic days adding artwork and gallery fixtures and fittings. The sign should be in place before we open on the 1st Febr...

 It's been three weeks since my biopsy, my eye is a little sensitive, very bloodshot and i'm struggling to get a goodnights sleep. It's so frustrating and boredom fills the day unable to paint, I suppose it's understandable under the circumstances and I do need the rest to get back to full fitness. Having said that I also need to get out there and be part of the community. I've just completed a Makers Market at Trentham on Saturday 16th. It felt good, it's always hard work but enjoyable.  It's always been my philosophy "The time to do something is the time you're thinking about it". It's not something that you can always act upon. I've always been spontaneous and at the same time hesitant, yeah a bit mixed up, I suppose. As you get older those inhibitions that held you back in your younger days get pushed aside. You tend to mould your goals into reality and dismiss negative vibes from others and life choices become clearer. Join me at T...

 " Monday, Monday, so good to me  Monday mornin’, it was all I hoped it would be..." that was the opening lyrics to the hit song for The Mamas & Papas in 1966.  Monday 4th November 2024 was the day of my biopsy. It went well, well, as well as it could have gone, I do look like I've gone a couple of rounds with Mike Tyson with my hands tied behind my back.  I have to wait 3 weeks for the results, so fingers crossed it's not something major! Before my biopsy I was told to decrease the steroids along with other medication so that the procedure could go ahead. Medication have kept the inflammation at bay for up to 14 months, but now all medication has been restored to the prescription levels that were prescribed before the procedure.  I'll be keeping busy in my studio and looking forward to a hectic upcoming event days throughout November and December with Steven Howard Gallery  at Trentham with The Makers Market. Click image to learn more

 I have waited such a  long time for my biopsy slot and finally the date has been set for 4th November 2024. The procedure will only go ahead subject to my HbA1c being below 69 which is considered to be safe in the control of infection for any medical procedure.   My  HbA1c  level has been high, a reading of 74 for quite sometimes but has now come down to 64. I've no idea what I've done differently to get my  HbA1c down but it's, I suppose, a good position to be in.   Thank you to everyone who has sent their good wishes and support. I will hopefully get more originals out there soon. I've certainly got some time now, I've got to keep away from crowds to minimise infection for 72 hours before my biopsy so I'll be painting to pass the time away over the weekend. If you want to see my latest work "What's on the easel?" Join my art group:   Stevens Art  Framed Originals can be purchased from the website:  Website All completed unframed origi...

 Although I've always had the creative ability. I haven't always had jobs that stimulated my creative ambitions. The biggest risk I've taken was the decision to become an entrepreneur, a decision that wasn't taken lightly. When you enjoy what you're doing and working a 100 hour week it certainly doesn't feel like work. When you're working so many hours for someone else and you don't enjoy it! Then it's time for a change.  School, college or university doesn't teach you how to become an entrepreneur! That's something you and you alone can only bring about. To some people it's a natural ability, I just knew that I needed to make money from something I enjoyed doing.  I enjoyed drawing and painting, it's something that came naturally, I didn't really have to think about the process. The difficult part was selling my art for profit and that proved a huge task, a task that I had to learn fast.

 Well, the condition affecting my eye has got a lot worse, it's now affecting my good eye! How the hell these experts cannot detect the problem I have and diagnose the cause from the symptoms without performing a biopsy is beyond me! Surely there are other people that are suffering or have suffered the same or similar symptoms worldwide?  All the scans, appointments and the many answers i've provided to the questions asked must have led to some discovery. It's bloody frustrating and upsetting me on a daily basis now. I'm not religious! But if I thought it would help regain my sight, I would follow that cult.  I have a biopsy pre-assessment on 19th September, hopefully I'll get a date and what is entailed in the procedure. Click image to View the full picture.  It may be taking me a lot longer to create the detail I was once renowned, but I'm determined to provide the same standard of accuracy and detail in my paintings.

Back in the late 60's early 70's, I must have only been 6 or 7 when I used to play football with friends in the street and back alley ways of Manchester. I remember there was a girl that used to hang around but not having the confidence to ask to join in, she would just kick a ball against the wall close to where we were playing. One day when we turned up to play and as we were placing jackets and jumpers for goalposts, we noticed we were a man down, only 7 of us! I suggested the girl (who had shown up again) make up a team? "A girl?" said Bunker who was, let's just say a large boy for his age and always black from helping his dad who was a coalman. Bunker finally succumbed after some bickering and we put the girl on the weaker team. The girl scored 7 goals! The very next time the girl showed up, she was first pick to play on our team. 😁

 So I'm waiting for a biopsy and the feeling of anxiety won't go away, which I suppose is understandable. I've been instructed to reduce the steroids so the biopsy can go ahead. Steroids may help to reduce the inflammation but unfortunately they also  blanket the source of the problems. I've received a letter for a pre-assesment 19th September, so hopefully the biopsy should be performed a week later.  I've not really been that active in the studio to date, I've dabbled, but nothing that I would consider a work of art. I just can't concentrate on anything, I pick up a pencil or paintbrush and I get enthusiastic, then my mind fills of thoughts.  Hopefully In the meantime I will keep busy with some creative days.  I've got some plans in place to take Steven Howard Gallery to the next stage. Plans that are very ambitious and will be unveiled soon. Follow the link and subscribe for news and updates in October: Newsletter