Textiles in Focus at Cottenham

As you know, Art Van Go was at Textile in Focus at Cottenham again this year.  It was, as always, a fantastic event organised by Pauline Verrinder and her team, with a brilliant workshop programme, many and varied traders and great exhibitions to look at and admire.  For those that weren't able to get there, here is just a very small representation of some of the work on view.

(Apologies for the standard of photography - I'm not a professional like Kevin, just an enthusiastic stitcher with a digital camera - and not much technique!)

Firstly a small sample of the work from MESCH - a group comprising of artists Marian Murphy, Liz Evans, Margaret Starr,Vanda Campbell and Mavis Howard ....

and, to see more of their work, MESCH are holding an exhibition at -

THE TAVERN GALLERY

8 High Street Meldreth, Cambs SG88JU

1st April - 3rd May 2010

Wed to Sun 10am - 4pm (closed 1pm - 1.30pm)

Next is work from the Fen Edge Textile Group, formed in 2002, and currently with sixteen members who  are fortunate to have Pauline Verrinder as their Mentor/Co-ordinator.

Fen Edge Textile will be exhibiting at the gallery in Malden from 8th September to 10th October 2010 - see their website fenedgetextiles for more information

And finally, some photos of the work of textile artist, author and the guest speaker at Textile in Focus, Isobel Hall.....

Check out our workshop programme - a number of the artists in the above mentioned exhibitions, including Marian Murphy, Vanda Campbell and Pauline Verrinder are coming to Art Van Go to take exciting workshops for us in the near future.

And finally not only a huge thank you to Pauline and her team for Textiles in Focus, but also a big congratulations - the Tombola in aid of Multiple Sclerosis raised an amazing £708 which will all go to the charity.  Well done!

New Workshop Programme

This isn't exactly the most frequently updated blog in the world, is it?? Still, at least when it is updated, there's something to say. First of all, the new workshop programme is out.


If you've not had yours yet, just contact us at ARTVANGO and ask for a copy, and for your name to be added to the mailing list.  Or of course you can go direct here to the workshop page on the website!

As you can see from the cover, ARTVANGO are celebrating their 21st birthday this year, and have put together a fantastic workshop programme - probably the best so far. In addition, there are other exciting events planned!

We are inviting everyone who has taken part in an Art Van Go workshop to submit work to this very special exhibition -

"MADE AT ART VAN GO"

The exhibition will be a celebration of your talents and skills; the dedication and enthusiasm of the tutors; and the many years of Art Van Go workshops.

Exhibition: Tues Aug 31st - Sat Sept 25th

Applications by Fri 13th Aug

Submission Dates: 19th, 20th, 21st, 24th & 25th Aug.

We will be delighted to accept work from anyone - the only criteria is that you should have attended an Art Van Go workshop and the work submitted should reflect this. For more details and submission form please contact Art Van Go.

This could be the ideal opportunity to finish something that you've started at a workshop - come on, don't tell me that you don't have any workshop UFO's! The more of you that take part, and the more varied the work - the better the exhibition will be. We look forward to seeing your entries.

In the meantime, remember we will be at Cottenham on 19th/20th/21st February for

TEXTILES IN FOCUS 2010

please see http://www.textilesinfocus.com/2010.htm for more details

Look forward to seeing you soon

Exciting New Publications!!

After lengthy gestations we are proud to announce the birth of three new additions to the Art Van Go family!! All three publications were ‘born’ just in time for the Knitting & Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace on the 7th October. Like proud parents of new babies we would like to introduce you to:

‘Paintstiks: Marvellous Markal - Sumptuous Shiva’

by Ruth Issett

The long-awaited book, from the guru herself, will show you just how versatile Paintstiks are. This book can be used as a starting point for those new to this medium, or as a means of stretching your work further into areas of mixed media. The results will be ‘sizzling’ whether used on paper, or directly onto fabric!

And also ......

‘Page After Page: Making Individual Books and Journals’

by Frances Pickering
Presented as though one her own stitched and hand-illustrated books, Frances explains some of the techniques she uses to create the books and reveals some of the inspiration behind them. A glorious book for anyone who has any creative interest.

And, just in case anyone missed the news in my previous post ....

Last, but by no means least,

The new 80 page Art Van Go Catalogue!!

After months & months of work it’s finally here! We’ve already had very positive feedback about it being ‘worth the wait’ and we hope you will agree. Lots of new products and exciting new ranges. You can get hold of a hard copy by sending three first class stamps (here in the UK) or for £1.00 when you see us at shows etc, or by asking for one to be included in your order if the order is over £10.00. The PDF of the catalogue is available to download at no charge.

If you have sent stamps in previously, and not yet received your copy of the new catalogue, please let us know.

Knitting and Stitching Alexandra Palace

It's that time of year again - Knitting and Stitching Show at Ally Pally.

This isn't going to be a long post, as, along with everyone else, I've been frantically busy on the stand all day, and my back's sore - but thought I should just let you see a couple of photos. Firstly the stand, all pristine and ready for customers. And Ruth, of course, in much the same condition.

Here we see one of the judges of "The Oldest Teaboy at the Show" competition, having a quiet word with one of the contestants about the state of his tray. And then, I have REALLY EXCITING NEWS!!!!!!
Are you ready for this???? ...... Ta ta da da da ta daaaaa!

Yes, it's the long-awaited, much-requested, often-promised, time-consuming, nail-biting, hankered-after, glossy-paged, art goods-packed, full colour.......

ART VAN GO CATALOGUE

Available for the very first time at the show today.

I think when you see it, you'll understand what a mammoth job it was to produce, and of course Viv does have one or two other little jobs to attend to.

Anyway, I've got a signed copy, so you're not having mine, you get your own. And, to all those people who have sent in stamps, back at the shop they are busy putting catalogues in envelopes to post out to you. It's busier than Santa's Grotto, with considerably fewer elves. Hopefully you should get them (postal strike permitting) in the next couple of weeks.

Right I'm off now to get some rest before going back tomorrow - but this time to look round, not to work. I'll be back on the stand on Saturday though, so if any of you who read this are there on Saturday, come and say 'Hello'

Night night

Gill x

Open Studios - Private View

This is a very late reminder of the Private View which is on tonight, Friday 18th September at The Studios from 7pm. I would have mentioned it earlier, but I called into the shop by chance this morning and only found out about it then. It is in the workshop programme, so hopefully you hadn't forgotten about it, and are all getting ready to make your way to Art Van Go as we speak.

There is work from five artists -

Kim Major-George, with atmospheric art using collagraph printing, hand finished using oils, foils and metallic threads .....

Jill Winch, a botanical artist diploma at Chelsea Physic Garden, Member of SSP, Exhibited at SBA London, Local Art societies and ArtVanGo .....

Sara Button, detailed textile work incorporating mixed techniques and media. Complex textures, machine embroidery and angelina feature heavily in the intricate pieces.

Denise Allen, who says she is exploring media and subject, enjoying the journey, always loving the sea and play of light on waters surface ....

and last but not least, Aileen Lawrence, who paints flowers and landscapes in a loose, exuberant and vibrant way using watercolour, mixed media and pastels ....

Really sorry about the standard of the dodgy looking photos - they were done in a bit of a rush this morning, but you get the general idea.

AND, as an added bonus, as well as all that wonderful artwork to look at, there will be free booze, there will definitely be cake, and there will be men. I was going to say naked men, but Kevin says that's only if more than 250 of you turn up.

Incidentally, while I was there this morning, I enquired about the catalogue. Now, I know you're going to say you've heard it all before, but ......... it's nearly ready. Viv and Jen are just putting the finishing touches to it, the designers are working on the completed sections, and the printers are lined up ready to go. It will definitely (and I've been told I can say this) be ready in time for Knit and Stitch at Allly Pally. It'll obviously take a while to send out to all the people who have sent in stamps, so bear with us. As soon as I know that they have all been despatched I'll let you know.
And, talking of the K&S - two other 'new releases' will also be launched at the show.

Ruth Issett's new book on Markal, called "PAINTSTIKS". And no, that's not a spelling error by Ruth, it's what Markals are called in the States. Those Americans sure are wacky when it comes to spelling, aren't they.

The second book to be launched at Ally Pally is Frances Pickering's long awaited book "PAGE AFTER PAGE".
I can't wait, and I'm just glad I've recently had new bookshelves at home and have a little bit of spare space now.

Finally, for those of you who can't get along tonight the exhibition will be open this weekend, when you can take part in an event to produce "The World's Longest Painting" (maybe it's Knebworth's answer to the Bayeux Tapestry - a pictorial story of the production of the catalogue?) Anyway, come along and join in and add your own kind of art to it - outside if weather permits, and in the Studio if not.

The exhibition then runs from Tues 22nd until Sunday 27th.

Catalogue?!?!?!?!?

We know that a lot of you have been asking about the new catalogue - and I still can't tell you when it's going to be ready - it's a mammoth job to produce - but we really hope it will be ready by the autumn.

Needless to say, we have had a number of telephone calls asking what's happening - but a letter from one lady went beyond the call of duty - and I felt we should share it with you so you'll know you're not alone!

CATALOGUE REQUEST TO ART VAN GO

Oh how I'd like a catalogue

To make a shopping spree

And Art Van Go are keeping one

Especially for me

Three times I have requested it -

With stamps - as advertised!

But postie always passes by -

One day I'll be surprised!!

Magazines and book I read

With projects to impress

But where to get the goods I ask -

It's Art Van Go's address!

Shows and computers baffle me

And are beyond my dreams

So shopping via catalogues -

The only way it seems

So Art Van Go please hear my plea

And let me be inspired

Crafts and Textiles fill my life

I'm old and I'm retired.

From Miriam Pugsley, aged 80

Member of West Country Embroiderers.

I thought the least I could do was respond in a similar vein!

Thank you for your letter
That you sent to us in rhyme
We would have answered sooner
But we get so little time!
And therein lies the problem
If you'd allow me to explain
Why you asked us for a catalogue
And then asked us once again
You sent off your request - with stamps
And now you feel dejected
But we've noted down your details
Please - don't feel neglected!
Viv's working hard on the catalogue
And there's such a lot to do
But rest assured, when it's complete
We'll post one off to you.
In the meantime - if you need something
And you're feeling all alone
Don't despair - we're always here
Just call us on the phone!

Gill xx

Seriously, we know that a lot of you have been waiting for some time, and as soon we possibly can, we'll get it to the printers and get them off to you. We have kept details of all the people who have written in and sent stamps, so you won't be forgotten. In the meantime, if there's anything you want, even if you don't know exactly what it's called, or the catalogue number, just give us a call and we'll do our very best to help.

Does anyone know if there is still a position for Poet Laureate - I'm going to see if Miriam and I can do a Job Share.

You may remember that a couple of posts ago, I talked about the exhibitions at 'Textiles in Focus' held at Cottenham in February. Specifically, I posted a photograph of the sales table comprising work of the Facets group of textile artists. I was later contacted by Rhona of Facets, who has kindly sent me photographs of the work that they had displayed at the Exhibition. I did take some photographs myself, but unfortunately, due to lighting, (oh, ok then, my ineptitude as a photographer!) they didn't really turn out well enough to include here, so my thanks to Rhona for supplying these. Facets will be holding their own exhibition within the next 12 months, so I will let you know more details when we have them. Meanwhile, here are the aforementioned photos ....

Beautiful and varied work, I'm sure you'll agree. Thanks again Rhona.

Meanwhile, if anyone else out there would like us to mention their exhibitions, or send us photographs of their work (come on, don't be shy!) please contact us via the website at http://www.artvango.co.uk/