House of Smudge

07/06/2026

Seven Weeks to Go ....

Eight years ago, I took a chance.

What began with a modest budget, a lot of determination, and the support of family was only ever meant to be a short-term venture. Instead, it became eight incredible years.

Over those years, House of Smudge became so much more than a gallery. It became a meeting place, a safe space, a place to share stories, laughter, tears, and friendship. Many people who first walked through the door as customers became friends, and many of those friends became family.

As we enter the final seven weeks in this building, I find myself reflecting not on what we're losing, but on how grateful I am for what we've had.

The support you've shown me over the years has been extraordinary, and the Kindness you've shown over the last few months has been overwhelming, every purchase, every recommendation, every encouraging words helped make this journey possible.

Like many things in life, this chapter is ending for reasons beyond our control. we explored every avenue to remain, including making an offer to purchase the building itself, but unfortunately that wasn't to be.

But have no regrets.

I took a chance eight years ago and it changed my life.

If there's one thing this journey has taught me, it's that not every story goes exactly to plan. We don't control every outcome. What we do control is whether we have the courage to try in the first place, and how we respond when circumstances change.

So rather than looking back with sadness, I'm choosing to look forward with hope.

House of Smudge isn't disappearing . We will continue online. I will continue creating artwork. And one day, I fully intend to open the doors to a permanent gallery once again.

For now, my focus is on making these final weeks special. There is still artwork to discover, stories to share, and memories to make. If you've ever thought about owning a piece of House of Smudge, now would be a wonderful time.

This isn't the end.

it's simply a pause for breath before the next adventure begins.

Thank you for believing in me, supporting me, and walking alongside me on this journey.

All my love,

Smudge ❤️

08/05/2026

House of smudge fine art gallery summer sale Bishop Auckland Co Durham

17/04/2026

14/03/2026

The sun is shining today. Hooray. Pop into the gallery and say Hi. We're open today at 10am. Will be great to see you all.👋

22/02/2026

In February 2018, a door opened.

With just £500 to breathe life into a tired space, and a simple plan to stay open for three months and share some of my artwork, we began. I was carried by an extraordinary family, and together, in less than two weeks, we turned a dilapidated shop into a place filled with light, colour, and possibility.

What followed took our breath away.

The response from the public overwhelmed us. Even local television and BBC North came to tell our story, standing with us at the very beginning. Word travelled far beyond those walls, and soon our art was finding new homes across the country — and across the world. Prints and originals made their way to America, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

But the true gift was never just the art.

It was the people.

Stories were shared. Laughter echoed. Tears were shed. What began as fleeting visits from customers slowly became friendships, and then family. The gallery became more than a space — it became a home.

Now, we find ourselves at a point where the future of the gallery beyond this summer is uncertain due to our current lease situation. We are continuing conversations and also exploring possible options for what comes next.

What I do know is that the heart of what we’ve built does not live in bricks and mortar — it lives in the people who have supported us every step of the way.

Some things in life sit outside our control. What remains in our hands is how we meet the moment.

And we choose hope. We choose gratitude. We choose to keep going.

For now, it is very much business as usual, and we look forward to welcoming everyone through the doors as always while we work out the next chapter.

With my deepest thanks to every single person who has walked through our doors, supported us, believed in us, and trusted us with their hard-earned money to take a piece of our artwork home — you are the reason this journey has meant so much.

This is not goodbye.

It is simply the next chapter, waiting to be written. ❤️

15/12/2025

🎁 Merry Christmas from House of Smudge! 🎁

A hugh thank you to everyone, who visited and supported us this year-it means so much to us!.

These will be our last days of trading before Christmas and we would love to see you all.

We'll open on Friday 19th and Saturday 20th December with extended hours from 10am to 6pm ( instead of our usual 10.30am -4.00pm). Perfect for those last minute gifts, including reproduction prints, hand-embellished canvases, cards, small gifts and original paintings.

We're also down to our last 20 calendars,so if you'd like one, as a special present, now's the time to grab one.!

We'll be taking a short break over Christmas, then be back open on January 9th 2026.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all at House of Smudge.🎄

Shop online for exclusive originals, prints, hand embellished and limited edition pieces by J W Smith Smudge.

08/11/2025

We will remember them.♥️

"The Pit Lies Still.
The songs are gone,
Through fields of red he walks alone.
The wind may change, the years roll on,
But still he carries on."....

Title- "Quiet Strength."

New original work in the gallery from Saturday 15th November.

We do not own the rights to the music/lyrics.

30/10/2025

Our 2026 Desk Calendars available now. Only £10.00. IDEAL Christmas presents.

14/07/2025

Our BIGGEST sale to date!!... Some of the work has a massive 50 % off. 🤩🤩
Runs from 19th July until 30th August.
In shop only.. Pop along grab yourself a bargain, before it's all gone.👀.