Many Sunderland fans will be aware of the artwork of Chris Cummings.

The Grangetown artist has become well-known in the city and on social media for his depictions of bobble-hatted SAFC fans and depictions of the city's industrial heritage. His evocative paintings have also gained many fans, including local heroes such as Kevin Phillips and Lee Howey.

His work is now shown in galleries across the North East, a massive achievement for the 39-year-old who only decided to go full-time as an artist in 2019.

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Speaking to The Chronicle, Chris said: "I've always been interested in art, it was probably the only lesson I had any interest in at school - the only subject I looked forward to. When I left, I didn't take anything up regarding art. I went off and did a joinery apprenticeship but never had any interest in it.

"It was only in the last 12 years when I started to take art up again, I did personalised commissions for friends and family but not until the last three or four years has it become my main focus and job. In 2019 I decided to make a go of it, and touch wood it's been my job since then."

Art created by Chris Cummings
Art created by Chris Cummings

As well as building up a fan base online, Chris also has his artwork displayed in three galleries across the North East, in Sunderland, Newcastle and Spennymoor. Before going full-time as a painter, Chris completed a joinery apprenticeship but later went on working a variety of jobs, including a stint at Sunderland Royal Hospital for 13 years.

"I always did art as a hobby", Chris continued, "I did personalised commissions for friends and family mainly. But I always wanted to do something later on in life with it, I never thought it would be this soon when the opportunity came. I just thought, I'll give it a go and see what I can do."

Sunderland artist, Chris Cummings
Sunderland artist, Chris Cummings

A dad-of-two, Chris mainly creates his artwork from home, and takes his inspiration from the city he grew up in and the people he knows. He said: "Being from Sunderland, I did a lot of commissions around football and a few local landmarks like Roker Pier and Penshaw Monument. The majority of my work certainly started off doing football scenes, mainly to do with the fans and Roker Park. I then started branching off with Wearside landmarks, but was also interested in the old shipyards because of family connections.

"My uncle and grandad both worked at the shipyards and I'm just trying to celebrate that past and the history, which if you're not from the area might not understand was a big thing. I've got plans to paint more shipyard pieces, the River Wear used to be booming with industry and it's a totally different scene these days, but I've still got an interest in looking back at the shipyards, purely from family connection."

Art created by Chris Cummings
Art created by Chris Cummings

And as Chris continues on his artistic journey, he maintains that he will always have a connection to Sunderland. Chris added: "The majority of my work will always be based around Sunderland and seeing how things maybe change or try to keep publicising the city and keep people interested in what goes on here. I'm certainly not just stuck in one area, I'm hoping in the future to branch out. There's always opportunities to do other things, if I've got the interest, then I've got the focus."

The art of Chris Cummings can be bought HERE.

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