|  | | | News and Events |
| |  | | 23.04.08 World Snooker, Sheffield
Over the last few days, I've had the great privlage to draw behind the scenes of the World Snooker finals at the Crucible, Sheffield.
Like most Sheffielders, I'm very proud of the fact that this is the home of World Snooker, and lets hope it continues for years to come.
It was fantastic to be able to watch some of snookers great legends practice and watch their managers eating Greggs pasties.
Here are a few of the sketches that I've done so far over the week.
Click on the link below, to enter the 888.com World Snooker Champions website, for a chance to win an original sketch by me.
Picture Perfect [LINK]
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|  | 18.04.08 ARTIST RAISES THOUSANDS AT SNOOKER DINNER
Sheffield's Cue Ball dinner at the Mercure St. Paul's Hotel last Friday raised a record amount for local charity Help A Hallam Child. Among the auction items was an original Pete McKee painting, and a surprise commission paining, which raised almost £3,000 for the charity.
Pete McKee donated his painting 'Future World Champion' for auction at the dinner's charity raffle, but surprised guests by offering a second painting, a personal commission, to the highest bidder. The combined auction lots raised a total of £2,900 for Help a Hallam Child.
Pete said: "I'm committed to supporting local good causes, and I'm a big snooker fan, so I was happy to donate these pictures. 'Future World Champion' is inspired by my years as a young boy watching grown-ups play snooker, and dreaming of being a champion".
I enjoyed surprising the audience with the opportunity to buy their very own painting of a subject of their choice. The Help a Hallam Child team were pleasantly surprised by this gesture too"
Cue Ball is the prestigious black-tie event celebrating the start of the World Snooker Championship. It was a star-studded evening, with guests including John Parrot, Steve Davis OBE, Willie Thorne and John Virgo. Steve Davis gave an inspirational after dinner speech, and Charlie Webster, Sheffield born model and TV presenter, was host and auctioneer for the evening.
Other auction lots included a set of snooker balls signed by all players competing in this years championship, and a package of 12 weekends away at Mercure hotels across the UK.
Dave Kilner, Help a Hallam Child said: "What a wonderful gesture from Pete McKee. We are grateful for his support, which has helped us to take our total amount raised this year to £29,500. Every penny of the total raised will go towards helping children in need of help through the Read to Succeed scheme." |
 | 13.04.08 33 and a third exhibition. Forum, Sheffield
Thanks to everyone who came and supported me on the evening and made it such a success.
It was very nice to see so many of you there!
Watch this space, for more news and pics from the exhibition.
All photographs courtesy of Pixelwitch Pictures [LINK] |
 | | 17.03.08 Forum Preview Show - 33 1/3FOR 8 WEEKS ONLY
A unique opportunity to see a special preview selection of prints taken from my first Sheffield show of original artwork in over a year.
The Forum show will feature a number of specially selected works on the 13th April 2008
33 and a 3rd is an exhibition of new paintings (33 1/3 of them, all lp sized) based on my love of music, from being in bands to buying records, gig going and fan culture.
The exhibition of originals will be launched shortly after the Forum event in a yet to be disclosed venue.
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|  | 20.02.08 Affordable Art Fair, Battersea. 13 - 16th March
I will be exhibiting at the Affordable Art Fair, Battersea, London in conjunction with Gallery Kaleidoscope from the 13 - 16th March 2008, where you will get chance to see over 30 of my original paintings, ranging from £500 - £3000
www.affordableartfair.com |
 | 18.02.08 Spring Fair, NEC Update
Thanks to everyone who came down to see me at The NEC. It was nice to meet you all!
The team and I had a very busy few days in Birmingham. There was a great deal of interest in the work, particularly in the Weller Lambretta, which was unveilled at the show.
There will be a big feature in April's edition of Scootering Magazine, so watch this space! |
10.01.07 My morning down at Weller's Just after Christmas my manager Michael and I were invited to meet one of my all time heroes at his recording studio in Woking.
Paul had kindly agreed to sign my flood painting and also as piece of a scooter that I'm currently customising (pictures to follow very soon).
A visit to Weller's inner sanctum was something akin to a religious experience for me (as it would be for any Weller devote) and as I was taken around the studio I recognised many guitars and artefacts from his long and illustrious career.
Also in the studio was Steve Craddock (guitarist with Ocean Colour Scene and Paul Weller) he's a top bloke with a mean taste in shoes; he was sporting a fine pair of tan, two tone brogues.
Steve is also a pretty sweet dancer. As Weller's jukebox kicked into life with the classic Manfred Mann track "Oh No Not My Baby" Steve broke into an impressive, impromptu Northern Soul shuffle!
After a lovely cup of tea we were about to make our excuses and leave when, who should walk in?
Only my celebrity patron Noel Gallagher and his right hand man Gem Archer! This was totally unexpected and truly amazing.
I had a good natter with Gem about recording the new Oasis album at Abbey Road and how the aura of the Beatles is still present in the fabric of the building. Then Noel proudly showed us all some pictures of his lad Donovan.
We left the boys to get on with their stuff (I believe they had a good all day session) and I went home with a grin the size of the River Don.
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| 20.11.07 A Month of Sundays Tour schedule
Here is a a list of venues where you can see some of the 60 or so paintings
I've done from a collection entitled 'A Month of Sundays'
15 December 07 - 16 February 08
Worcester Museum and Art Gallery, Foregate Street, Worcester WR1 1DT
Tel: 01905 25371
26 April 2008 - 25 May 2008
Museum of Cannock Chase, Vallery Road, Hednesford, Cannock, Staffordshire WS12 1TD
Tel: 01543 877666
10 June - 10 September 2008
Cleethorpes Discovery Centre. Lakeside, Kings Road, Cleethorpes D35 0AG
Tel: 01472 323232
October 08 - 14 February 09
Time & Tide Museum. Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR30 2SH
Tel: 01493 745526 | ![<span style='color: #ff0000;'>20.11.07</span> A Month of Sundays Tour schedule]() |
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To mark the 150th anniversary of the oldest football club in the world, 'Sheffield FC'.
Pete has painted a special picture entitled 'Watching History'. The original will be auctioned at a Gala Dinner at the Cutlers Hall on 24th October.
There is also a limited edition silk screen print available which you can buy from the Prints section of the website. |  |
|  | | 06.10.07 Teenage Cancer Trust
Me and Milburn at the opening of the new 5 bed unit at Weston Park Hospital. |
|  | | 12.08.07 Vera & Tiddles - Flood Relief Painting TO COMMEMORATE THE GREAT SHEFFIELD FLOODS OF 2007 AND TO HOPEFULLY HELP RAISE SOME MUCH NEEDED MONEY FOR THE VICTIMS, I'VE CREATED A PAINTING DEPICTING ONE OF THE MORE POSITIVE ASPECTS OF THE DISASTER, WHERE FAMILY, FRIENDS, NEIGHBOURS AND THE GOOD PEOPLE OF SHEFFIELD PULLED TOGETHER AND CAME TO THE AID OF THE STRICKEN.
SHEFFIELD born globetrotter Michael Palin is a busy bloke, but not too busy to add his name to the Tiddles and Vera collection.
He joins Ross Noble, Noel Gallagher, Johnny Nelson and a host of stars from the worlds of comedy, television, music and sport in signing Pete McKee's painting which will be auctioned off for the flood appeal.
Comedian Billy Connelly has also signed it, along with Sheffield musicians Richard Hawley, the Reverend Jon McClure from Reverend and the Makers and folk singer Kate Rusby, as well as boxer Clinton Woods, artist Joe Scarborough, and the band Erasure. Other stars who have agreed to sign include the Arctic Monkeys and comic Jimmy Carr along with singers Rufus Wainwright, Tony Christie and Engelbert Humperdinck.
Should be well worth having!
Auction ends 15th November 2007 |
| | | 19.07.07 Scunthorpe on Sea Fun DaySaturday 11 August, 10am to 5pm
Come along to our ‘Scunthorpe on Sea’ Fun Day. Meet Pete Mckee and take part in a whole host of free activities and summer fun inspired by Pete’s ‘A Month of Sundays’ exhibition.
Free - suitable for all
| ![<strong>19.07.07<span style='color: #ff0000;'> Scunthorpe on Sea Fun Day</span></strong>]() |
| 10.07.07 Art in the gardens - 1st - 2nd September Join me at my tent in The Botanical Gardens, Sheffield for the 4th Annual art & craft event.
Another great opportunity to purchase my prints, canvases or maybe the odd original or two!
''Art in the Gardens is a wonderful, enjoyable and entertaining major event for all of the family. If you are looking to purchase a piece of fine art or craft then you would be hard pressed to find a better selection of incredible work than at the Sheffield Botanical Gardens, in the first weekend in September''.
Adults £4.00, accompanied children U14 free - 10.30am - 5.30pm
Preview Evening - from 7.30pm, Friday 31st of August 2007.
The preview sales evening is a delightful experience with the pavilions and gardens prettily illuminated, and an excellent opportunity to preview the work in the exhibition marquees and hopefully snap up that masterpiece that everyone else wants!!
There is complementary wine and refreshments on arrival and live entertainment for your enjoyment throughout the evening.
Click here for more info on 'Art in the Gardens'
| ![10.07.07 <span style='color: #ff0000;'>Art in the gardens</span><span style='color: #ff0000;'> - 1st - 2nd September </span>]() |
|  | | 26.06.07 Gibson Guitar Town My fellow artists and I were finally able to enjoy the fruits of our labour at the launch of Guitar Town on the South Bank in London.
Yours truly found himself rubbing shoulders with such music business luminaries as Keane, Rod Stewart and the Modfather himself - Mr Paul Weller! I was also fortunate enough to meet fellow cartoonist and all round legend, Gerald Scarfe who illustrated Ozzy Ozbournes guitar.
If you're in London between now and september, I would definitely urge you to go and have a look. The sight of the guitars against the London Skyline is truly breathtaking. |
| 24.05.07 Wonderwork I was making tea in the kitchen at home when I received a phone call that might just change my life! It was Noel Gallagher.
The brains behind the Rock 'n' Roll superstars Oasis, rang me to let me know how much he liked the painting I'd sent him.
''Alright Pete, it's Noel here, how's it going?'' said Gallagher in his finest Mancunian.
'I've just got this Good Education picture you send me. It's briliant. It'll look f***ing great on the wall in me new house.' |  |
|  | | 25.06.07 Noel Gallagher guitar signing One half of the legendary Oasis, Noel Gallagher dropped by the Gibson Guitar Studio in London to sign his hand painted 10 foot Gibson Les Paul replica guitar. The free standing fiber glass guitar was specially designed by Sheffield based visual artist Pete McKee. The guitar features Noel as a child surrounded by the albums that inspired him to form one of Britain’s most successful bands of all time. The albums featured on the guitar include classics by The Stone Roses, The Smiths, The La’s and Neil Young”. Noel signed the guitar with the inscription “Peace, Love, Jelly & Ice Cream”.
The unique guitar will form part of the Gibson Guitartown London charity campaign and be displayed publicly at More London by Tower Bridge, London SE1 from June 25th for ten weeks. Following the display, Noel Gallagher’s signed guitar will be auctioned off to raise money for The Prince’s Trust, Teenage Cancer Trust and Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy.
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| 05.04.07 7x7 The Forum, Sheffield It's always a real pleasure to be invited to play at 7x 7. If you were there, I hope you enjoyed my selection . For those of you that couldn't make here's the setlist:
The Shangri-Las - Leader of the pack.
Dion Warwick - Do you know the way to San Jose
Cilla Black - Alfie
Sandie Shaw - There's always something there to remind me
Dusty Springfield - All cried out
Aretha Franklin - Until you comeback to me
Petula Clark - Downtown
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| 10.03.07 Greeting Cards Anyone who has known me over the past two years will know that I've been going on about a card deal that's always around the corner, well the corner has arrived and I can now officially reveal that the ART GROUP are launching eight of my designs as greetings cards very soon. So if you've got any reason to send a card to anyone whether it's for your cat's birthday or your gran's found her false teeth, make sure it's a McKee card you send to mark the momentous event. |
|  | | 28.02.07 New York Expo Following hot on the heels of the SPRING FAIR at the Birmingham NEC, came a trip to the big apple, where I exhibited at the massive ART EXPO art fair, this was the first time I'd shown my originals in America and to be honest I'd no idea how they would take to my very British working class art. Well the answer was an astounding 'we love it.' I couldn't have hoped for a better response. It turns out the theme of the working class at rest is a universal one. A New York fireman pointed out that they reminded him of his own childhood while another bloke, who's claim to fame was that he owned 6 of Frank Sinatra's toupees (honestly) said that the work spoke to him. But considering his previous claim he could just have been mad as a hat stand and lots of things probably spoke to him.
Overall the show was a great success with the prospect of doing a commission for 20th century fox on the horizon as well a number of other things in the pipeline, which I will reveal at a later date.
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|  | | 05.02.07 Birmingham Spring Fair
Before I've had time for my Xmas turkey to settle and put away my scalectrix I was off to exhibit at the Birmingham N.E.C SPRING FAIR. It's the first show of the year and I took this opportunity to launch my work on a wider scale across the UK and Ireland.
I showed prints, originals and my limited edition screen prints. It was the first time that anyone outside of Sheffield and London had seen my work and it was great to pick up orders from new galleries from all, over the shop including Dublin, Belfast, Bristol, Manchester & Leeds.
As well as showing of my work I was also able show off my new Bespoke three piece suit which led to a great moment when Cockney (anyone from down south is a cockney in my book) Gangster wide boy Dave Courtney walked passed my stand, noted my attire and said "You're more f*****g gangster than me, you f*****g chimp." Which I thought was very nice thing to say about me.
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