Coming up this weekend, it's a Saturday afternoon gig in Wolverhampton for @blackcountrysoc.bsky.social. With contributions from @alexvann.bsky.social @emmapurshouse.bsky.social and Jane Seabourne. It'll be great!

Love my job....

My lovely, inspirational dad would have been 87 yesterday. He was a history teacher at Tividale Comp School but also a bus driver, runner and exceptional artist. I miss him.

We are an official #DudleyHAF (Holiday Activities and Food) provider of Arts & #BSL activities, FREE for eligible* young people in Dudley aged 7-16. See poster for more details. Link to register: www.dudleyholidayactivities.org.uk/register #winterHAF #HAF2025 #GivingPeopleACreativeVoice #art

We are delivering FREE #HAF #Art with #BSL sessions for eligible young people in #Sandwell aged 7-16 (19 with an EHCP). 10am-2pm on 29th, 30th and 31st December 2025 at Wednesbury Library, Walsall Street, Wednesbury WS10 9EH. Book here app.holidayactivities.com/parent/provi... #HAF2025 #winterhaf

The premiere of my latest #YouTube video : 6pm, Monday 15th December 2025. 'Parallel Roads at 30' is the story of a song I wrote, and subsequent music video, from 1995. It features never before seen behind the scenes footage, a brand new reading of the song and interviews. youtu.be/_dRtAjA44jU

Being the digital artist on the Adoption@Heart Digital Quilt project has been a real joy - but not without its challenges! The final design features 294 artwork 'patches' from various community groups & individuals incl. 4 mayors. FREE tickets to the online launch at 6pm on Nov 12th bit.ly/436R9mK

Proud to represent our company @realartsworkshops.bsky.social at this special event..

Defying #StormAmy at East Park #parkrun this morning, with hubby Gary. Also, getting a volunteer credit for providing sign language support ('toilet' being an important sign!). It's one of the #volunteer roles where you can complete the course too if you wish. Sign up to volunteer if you can.💪🏻☺️🤟🏻🎽

Sorry I couldn't get to this event last night, I did the design work on this fabulous new book. I'll endeavour to get to the next live event, Emma really is a great performer as well as author 💪🏻📖

It's #bandcampfriday! Your fave independent artists get more share for their sales on Bandcamp on this day. My latest offering #YouShine is available alongside my other solo, Vann/O'Connell and LIFT music here: alexvann.bandcamp.com #independentmusic #bandcamp #alexvann

I only went and smashed my #parkrun personal best at #westpark #wolverhampton on Saturday!

In my spare time (of which I have little) I like to make these wooden construction kit models.🔧📏 It's totally separate from anything else in my life and a lovely way to unwind. 🧘🏻‍♂️ So there. ☺️

Thanks to @blackcountrysoc.bsky.social for including Part 2 of my late father Max's life and art in the Autumn edition of #Blackcountryman magazine. Read more here: www.alexvann.net/the-art-of-m... Get the magazine when you become a Black Country Society member or from several outlets (see comments)

The Autumn edition of The Blackcountryman magazine is now available to buy from Dudley Canal Trust. 96 pages full of Black Country goodness.

I always take a sketchbook on holiday. This is my latest sketch, started on site at beautiful #Portmeirion #drawing #colouredpencils #sketch #wales #pencil

My latest piece of graphic design is 'Unsung' the latest collection by poet @emmapurshouse.bsky.social available now from offaspress.co.uk/shop/ It features a wonderful portrait of Emma painted by Keith Turley: rbsa.org.uk/members/keit...

It's great to be working with patients at West Park Hospital NRU again - funded by DDC Engineering and Your RWTC. Private companies can demonstrate their commitment to social values by funding such projects. See link in the comments. #neurorehabilitation ##braininjury #parkinsons #strokerecovery

My pencil drawing of a labrador and watercolour painting of a hedgehog, along with 2 others, will be part of the Junction art exhibition in July at The Chindit which is a brilliant pub just outside Wolverhampton town centre. Keep an eye on here for updates. #drawing #watercolours #pencildrawing

I'm delighted to see my lovely dad's art reproduced in an article in the latest issue of Blackcountryman Magazine. You get sent it if you're a member of Black Country Society or you can purchase it for £5 wherever they sell it (see the pic in comments).

Last month, we announced that we've a grant from @artscouncilengland.bsky.social to put on the first ever Midlands Fringe. Yay! Here's our brand-new logo, designed by the outrageously talented @alexvann.bsky.social. Fantastic, isn't it! 🙂

Holiday reading: a past copy of #Blackcountryman magazine published by @blackcountrysoc.bsky.social and edited by @emmapurshouse.bsky.social whilst watching the #ChallengeSalou triathlon from the beach

This month marks 10 years since my brother in music Rich McMahon passed away. This is us performing our version of 'Homeward Bound' live on @blackcountryradio.co.uk Anyone who knew him will tell you he had a rare & magnetic gift for drawing people into his world. #mentalhealth #wellbeing

It's #BandcampFriday ! Bandcamp waives its fee so artists get more share. My latest album 'You Shine' has 14 original songs, 60 minutes of music and over 20 guest artists and is available here: alexvann.bandcamp.com/album/you-sh... Here's a video of one of the tracks: Making A New Start #YouShine

I recently ran Stafford #HalfMarathon, yay!! 😊🏃🏻‍♂️ It was exhausting!😞 I didn't put enough training in beforehand, and I had to stop a few times for a breather. But that's kind of like life isn't it? Sometimes you just need to stop and gather your energy before you can get over the finish line.

It's been a while since I took on a drawing commission because of running @realartsworkshops.bsky.social I really loved doing this #pencildrawing of beautiful 'Cally'. #dog #petportrait #pencil #art #portraits #animalart #realism #photorealist

Two drawings of Stokesay Castle. The top one was drawn in 1955 by my dad Max and the bottom one was drawn by me yesterday, 70 years later. #stokesaycastle

It's been a long time since I took on a drawing commission, because of running @realartsworkshops.bsky.social I loved doing this #pencildrawing of beautiful 'Cally'.

It's #SignLanguageWeek ! Here are some simple 'family' signs for when you communicate with a Deaf person. It's more inclusive to have a go at some basic signs than not, and you won't be judged or assessed on your signing skills!

It's #SignLanguageWeek and we're sharing the #fingerspelling alphabet, used by signers to spell names of people and places. If you don't already know it, why not use the charts here to learn. Keep an eye on here as we share a different #BSL resource every day this week. #britishsignlanguage

Lovely evening at The Crafty Jar micropub in Stourbridge yesterday. I played a short set alongside other musicians, including Joe Bayliss, raising funds for several charities at the event organised by Black Country writer and performer Billy Spakemon. BTW, they have a 0% lager ON DRAFT- yay!!

First time running the Isabel Trail #parkrun this morning - followed by an extra 9 miles in beautiful #Stafford because for some reason I thought entering the Stafford half marathon next Sunday was a good idea.🫠

I love my job! Look at these wonderful artworks...

I've got an actual gig!! This Sunday 16th March at the fab 'Crafty Jar' Micropub I'm kicking things off at 5pm for this fundraising event which features a range of local musicians until 8pm. Hear my music here: www.youtube.com/@MusicManVan... Venue: 161, Lower High Street #Stourbridge DY8 1TS

@blackcountrysoc.bsky.social the magazine is out and about!

Sign Language Week is next week, we'll be sharing some everyday signs...everyday - watch this space! #signlanguage #SignLanguageWeek

bLOOming lovely #daffodils in my garden. Love #Spring

Gorgeous Wolverhampton #parkrun this morning

I post this poem every year on the anniversary of the factory explosion in Dudley Port in the Black Country. It's in memory of all those girls and young women who lost their lives. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3v7...

YAY! - It's back!! #BandcampFriday is tomorrow 7.3.2025 - the platform waives its own fee so that independent music artists (like me) get a fairer share. My site: alexvann.bandcamp.com has a mix of solo, duo and band music. If you like #Beatles #XTC #Queen #ELO #Kinks #Squeeze you'll like it 😊

You'll find me in the Charlie "Chas" Grigg book...

I'm getting quite a collection of these wooden construction kits in my display case now! It's very meditative (and occasionally infuriating) putting these together. PS yes, the radio works 😊📻 #rokr

Most Saturdays I like to do a #parkrun This is my local venue, the beautiful West Park in #Wolverhampton.

My first post on Blue Sky! Sharing one of my company's latest projects...