Neil Buchanan, the talented creator, artist, producer and presenter behind the two times BAFTA award-winning TV sensation Art Attack will be making it a Happy New Year in the West Midlands when the TV star appears at Jamie Leigh Fine Art gallery, in Rubery, West Midlands to coincide with the launch of Neil Buchanan's HOPE STREET - a powerful and nostalgic 12-strong series of signed, limited edition prints which depict “the story of childhood”.

On SATURDAY 4 FEBRUARY the former star of Art Attack will make a personal gallery appearance from 2PM-4PM, to coincide with an exhibition of Neil Buchanan's stunning HOPE STREET art collection, which will be in the gallery throughout the spring.

Three years ago, a sinister internet rumour started on Facebook (that still persists to this day) reported the artist had died. From this dark rumour, Neil Buchanan began reflecting and recording the brighter days of his childhood growing up in “the great outdoor adventure playground” in Liverpool in the 1960s, when children were free to play outside... and so Neil Buchanan's HOPE STREET was born. Neil Buchanan will prove that he is very much alive and well with his personal visit to the West Midlands and during the reception the artist will talk about the inspiration behind his debut collection of published art.

Commenting on the nostalgic and evocative collection of art, Neil Buchanan said: “There have been lots of reasons to feel hopeless during 2011, so I want to bring a bit of hope to people's walls and homes in 2012! HOPE STREET is the story of childhood and I want to take the viewer on a special journey. This voyage doesn't involve a long car ride or train trip, because my HOPE STREET is not a place, it's a state of mind... and it's a nice place to be. To walk down HOPE STREET all you need is the gift that only children truly possess in abundant measure – imagination!”

HOPE STREET is proof (if it were needed) that ‘The Art Attack Man' can really paint and that his talents stretch far beyond the boundaries of drawing cartoons, papier maché model making and his awesome ‘Big Art' creations on Art Attack. Neil Buchanan said: “I had six million young art critics every week on Art Attack and it was their opinions I cared about most. Normal people don't have art hanging on their walls, they have pictures! The greatest honour will be if people like my HOPE STREET paintings enough to hang them on their walls. That will be the biggest approval rating for me!”

HOPE STREET gives a respectful nod to the rich narrative and humour achieved by Norman Rockwell and Jack Vettriano, whom Neil describes as his key art influences. Celebrated American portraiture artist, Jessica Rockwell, and cousin of the legendary Norman Rockwell, said: “Entering the universe of Neil Buchanan's HOPE STREET is a tranquil space filled with the imagination of children. Neil Buchanan reminds us of possibilities real and true. We see past our troubles and fears and know that we can be creators of a better world.”

The 12 images are exquisitely painted, with light and flowing brushstrokes that depict a time when children were free to play in the great outdoor adventure before traffic clogged up our streets and cyberspace banished play to the bedroom. In essence, Neil has achieved a global and timeless connectivity with anyone, anywhere, who can relate to the joy of a happy and carefree childhood.

Neil said, “I'm a sucker for nostalgia and I hope the paintings of my HOPE STREET will bring memories of your own childhood flooding back. As a performer, I want my pictures to perform for you and take you on a journey down your own HOPE STREET – to a place where you were free to dream and be whatever and whoever you wanted to be.”

Following the challenging economic climate endured by the British public throughout 2011, Neil Buchanan will seek to bring a little reason to hope, to visitors during his gallery visit. Customers who purchase a limited edition print from the HOPE STREET collection, will be given a ‘A Little HOPE' canvas for FREE (normal RRP £75). Meanwhile, customers who want to buy ‘A Little HOPE' during the afternoon will save £25 pounds as they will be able to buy the mini canvas for just £50 and this will be accompanied by a free souvenir brochure, signed by Neil Buchanan, and normally priced at £10.