Happy Birthday to Viv!!

Actually, a belated Happy Birthday - it was Viv's birthday yesterday, but I was too busy drinking champagne and tea, and eating cake to worry about blogging!  I arrived just in time to see the results of what had obviously been a wonderful two day workshop run by Frances Pickering, entitled A Few of My Favourite Things - there were some really beautiful books and it seemed as if everyone had been really productive.  Sorry there's no photos, I didn't have my camera with me.

However, I did have my camera last week, when I took part in a two day workshop with Lynda Monk called Scrim, Screens and Scrappy Bits.  We all had a brilliant time, printing through thermofax screens on scrim and Lutrador and pelmet vilene, bonding various layers together and even managing to fit in a bit of stitch, before painting the resulting gorgeously textured surfaces.  As you can see, everyone was far too busy to turn to turn and pose for photos

Here are some of Lynda's fabulous examples and inspiration ..

We did have to stop work briefly during the afternoon of the second day - to listen to Viv who was being interviewed on Three Counties radio, together with one of the artists currently exhibiting in the gallery as 

17@art van go

The interviewer asked a little about the exhibition and the gallery, but seemed more interested in asking what was the definition of 'art'.  Probably worthy of more discussion than a five minute interview would allow, but Viv did her best, and sounded like a radio professional.  

In fact, as Kevin pointed out more than once -  "Viv has the perfect face for radio!"

And finally, talking of perfect faces, Pam only agree to pose with one of Lynda's display pieces, on the proviso that I didn't put it on the blog, and if I did, I couldn't show her face.  But this is such a lovely smiley face, I couldn't just chop it off.  Anyway, she's my friend, and she knows I can't be trusted!

Lynda Monk will be back at Art Van Go as an "Artist in Residence" on Tuesday 8th May and Thursday 21st June between 1030 and 3pm, where you can come along and watch her working and pick up some tips.  There is no charge for these sessions, and booking is not necessary.

I'm hoping to have finished some of my pieces in time to take them along, just to prove to Lynda that I DO occasionally finish something.

Spectrum Exhibition

The Art Van Go gallery was host to a very special event yesterday - the Private View 'Tea Party' for "Close to Home" an exhibition of textile art, by Spectrum, a group of textile artists mentored by Gina Ferrari.  

For those of you who were unable to be there - this is what you missed ....

Viv and Kevin flew back from Madeira, just for the exhibition (they like to winter in the sun).  No pictures of Viv I'm afraid, she was much too busy, but Kevin just swanned about drinking tea and eating cake as usual.

The exhibition runs until 3rd March, so do call in if you get the chance, and if you do, it'd be lovely if you  leave a comment in the Visitors Book

See you soon x

It's arrived!!

As usual, it is appearing much later than we had hoped, so many apologies for keeping you waiting.   Bookings are now being taken and some will, of course, fill up quickly, so book early to avoid disappointment.


To view the Workshop Programme and see all the delectable workshops on offer through the Spring and into September - click HERE to download the Workshop Programme as a pdf

Exhibition and Workshop Programme

Just in case you wondered, Viv is very busy working on the new Workshop Programme at the moment - she couldn't ACTUALLY give me the date it'll be finished - but I think we're talking days, rather than weeks!
I called in today - not just to nag her and drink tea, but also to collect posters and invitations that Kevin very kindly produced for the exhibition that's running from 7th February to 3rd March

I admit to having a vested interest in this - I am one of the members of SPECTRUM - it's our very first exhibition!
Anyway, hope you manage to get to see it - and maybe you could pick up a workshop programme at the same time.

Catalogue

I'm afraid we are totally out of paper copies of the current 2009/2010 - and it will be next year before the next one is available.  In the meantime, however, the whole catalogue is available on the website here - and if you can't find what you want, just give the shop a call.

Art Van Go at Harrogate - THEN AND NOW!!

I must say, Viv kept this very quiet.  She didn't mention it to me, but thanks to one of my spies (and no, it's not anyone involved in the NOTW phone hacking scandal - what kind of friends do you think I have???) I got to see this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbKRcMjsuMg&feature=related

It's Viv and Ruth at the Knitting and Stitching Exhibition at Harrogate in 2009!

How's that, a free tutorial and burst of colour for you.

Hopefully it'll whet your appetite to go along to the AVG stand at Harrogate this week - it runs from Thursday 24th (that's tomorrow!) until Sunday 27th November.

Like you didn't know that.
Anyway, you can find AVG at Stand TG620 in the Textile Gallery.  Also, make sure you go alng to the Artists In Action area, sponsored by Art Van Go, and see a vertiable multitude of artists doing their stuff -
and, in no particular order (as they say on Strictly) we have .....

Jill Flower

Sue Chapman

Dionne Swift

Fiona Wilson

Lynda Monk

Pauline Verrinder

Sarah Burgess

Val Hughes

( I just hope I've not left anyone out - it was a last minute phone call to Kevin - so blame him if I have!)

Current Exhibition - Jeanette Appleton

I'm sorry it's been so long - I've not been able to get to the shop for a while, but I went along to take part in the Lynda Monk workshop on 1st November (which was brilliant, incidentally - Lynda manages to cram so many wonderful techniques into the day and is such a lovely lady).

I wanted to let you know about the current exhibition, SOW:SEW,  featuring the work of  Jeanette Appleton, a textile artist specialising in felting techniques.

I took just a few photographs while I was in the gallery -

But these are just a taster - if you can, do go along and see the whole exhibition - it's brilliant - full of colour and textures, and it's on until 10th December.

It's all very hectic at the shop at the moment - almost as soon as the van returns from the Knitting and Stitching in Dublin, it'll be restocking and dashing off to Harrogate for the K&S for 24th - 27th November.

Who says Viv and Kevin never get a holiday?