Hello everyone,

Tomorrow and every Wednesday morning for the next several weeks, from 11am - 1pm, at Union Chapel in Islington, I'll be running a willow weaving workshop for Open Wednesday's Culture Cafe. Come and join us making weird and wonderful shapes and surprises, for display at the Carols by Candlelight concert in December.

More information can be found here:

https://www.unionchapel.org.uk/event/05-09-2018-culture-cafe-copy-copy/

On Thursday evening, from 7.30 - 9.30pm, I'll be running an art workshop exploring abstraction at one of the Wave Cafe's fun, exciting, inclusive and unique creative sessions in North London.

Join me for some imaginative, vibrant and expressive fun.

To find out more and book a session go here: https://www.wavecafe.org/whats-on

On Monday, September 17th, it's the first in a series of 6 freestyle life drawing sessions at Little Nan's in Deptford. Little Nan's is a wonderful bar, where they serve cocktails in teapots and an array of other fine beverages. The sessions are free, easy and relaxed, with poses set to music and the bar open throughout.

It's all happening in the luxurious tropical paradise that is Granddad's Shed, Arches 13-15, Deptford Market Yard, SE8 4BX. The cost is £10 per session, first come first served, so arrive early for a prompt start!

And for a very different kind of Life Drawing experience, come to Union Chapel on September 23rd, where I'll be delivering Five Alive, Drawing Stories. A life drawing class with a difference! Join me and storyteller Giles Abbot for a unique three hour life drawing class upstairs in the Bar at Union Chapel.

With three models acting to the dramatic unfolding of a fantastic, eerie and sensational story. With pauses to music throughout, for you to draw different poses, working up to a long pose.

This promises to be a unique, theatrical and very dramatic life drawing session. Giles Abbott – UK’s only blind professional storyteller, is well known for his strong voice, language and stage presence. Giles is also a voice teacher and poet.
I'll be giving hints and tips on how to capture movement, emotion and drama in a figure drawing.

We will have 3 models acting to Giles’s story, and holding the poses to music for you to draw at intervals throughout the night, with regular breaks for refreshment from the bar.
With a series of short poses working up to a long pose, free art materials and drinks available for purchase from the bar throughout the night, this is sure to be a very interesting, engaging and magical evening.

Bring your own drawing board or use our tables. All levels of ability are welcome, so if you’re a fresh young amateur or a life drawing regular master, come along to drink and draw!
Suitable for over 18s only.

Go here to book tickets: https://www.unionchapel.org.uk/event/20180923-five-alive-life-drawing-at-the-chapel/?spektrix_bounce=true

And finally, on the last weekend in September between 11am and 6pm, come and find some amazing, unique, weird, wonderful and delightful work on the Nunhead Art Trail. For more information go here: http://www.nunheadarttrail.co.uk/index.html

My paintings "Self Portrait with Foliage" and "About Peckham Number 1, with Lanternier"  are already on display at
Beaumonts Greengrocers, 121 Evelina Road, SE15 3HB, along with some lovely pastel paintings by artist Dick Graham.

I hope to see you soon, with love and best wishes, toodlepip! - Joanna

Hello!

If you are free tonight - Friday September 7th - please do pop along to KI Europe, where I'll be collecting my painting "Croc Monsieur". You'll be able to view the exhibition "Animalia" curated by Tiziana Maggio, which finishes today. I'll be there at 5.30pm for an hour or two, so please do come and say hello.

 

 

Empire II, curated by artist Vanya Balogh, is currently part of Coastal Currents festival in Hastings. See my film "Singing Ghost" on the showreel. Screenings this weekend! Hastings is really lovely, and the weather forecast is excellent.

On Saturday you can find me at Bermondsey Folk Festival, where artist, poet, comedian and musician Frog Morris and I will be on hand to help you make some flowery folk costumes:

More info here:  https://www.bermondseyfolkfestival.co.uk/

 

 

And this Monday - September 10th - come along to Deptford's most fun LIFE DRAWING class ever! At the wonderful Little Nan's Bar in Deptford Arches, where they serve cocktails in teapots and an array of other fine beverages, I will be presenting "Nudey Nan" in the tropical paradise that is Granddad's Shed, with Hawaiian music and plenty of breaks to recharge your tea cups. 7-9pm. First come first served. £10 cash or card on the door. Bring your own art materials and please arrive early - doors close at 7pm for a prompt start.

 https://www.littlenans.co.uk/deptford/

 

 

That's it for now - keep your eyes peeled for more info about exciting happenings next week and beyond, coming soon!

With love and best wishes - Joanna

Booking is now open for my next Five Alive life drawing session at Union Chapel bar!

It will take place on Sunday September 23rd, from 6 til 9pm.

It's going to be a bit different this time - with storyteller Giles Abbott and two models acting to the dramatic unfolding of a fantastic, eerie and sensational story. With pauses to music throughout, for you to draw different poses, working up to a long pose.

To book tickets go here: https://www.unionchapel.org.uk/event/20180923-five-alive-life-drawing-at-the-chapel/

I hope to see you there!

WOOF WOOF!

We need your help! This Saturday afternoon, July 7th, from midday until 4pm, come and find me in Chinbrook Meadows. I will be working with Rubbish Artist as Trash Twins, building a giant dog out of recycling and papier mache. Join in the fun at the park!

Here's a map to help you find your way. We will be near the cafe:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chinbrook+Meadows/@51.4286581,0.0281465,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x6c7bd82e4693e3e9!8m2!3d51.4286581!4d0.0281465

The dog will lead the parade for the Grove Park Carnival, taking place 2 weeks later on Sunday July 22nd.

It will become a "Graffitti Dog" for you to decorate with paint, pens and stickers throughout the day. More details here:

 https://www.weekender.co.uk/event/grove-park-carnival-chinbrook-dog-show/

SUMMER COURSES!

This month I'm running two summer courses at Thomas Calton Centre, the friendly local community college in Peckham:

ART EXTRAVAGANZA Monday 16th, Tuesday 17th and Thursday 19th of July, 10am - 4.30pm. Cost £60 standard, £30 concessions.

This course features 3 days of fun packed art excitement, including a full day of life drawing on day two.

It runs from 10am until 4.30pm on Monday the 16th, Tuesday the 17th and Thursday the 19th of July.

Day one: Drawing techniques - Pencil, charcoal and pastel.

Day two: Figure drawing - Gestural poses and measuring techniques, working up to a long pose. Model Lizzie.

Day three: Abstraction - Abstract expressionism and acrylic paint.

It takes place at Southwark's friendly community college, in room 20. The room is large, light and airy, with easels, donkeys and plenty of drawing boards.

You need to bring your own art materials, but I have spares for you to borrow if necessary.

Places are limited, so please book and pay as soon as possible to secure your spot!

To book a place go here:https://www.southwark.gov.uk/schools-and-education/adult-learning/our-courses/creative-leisure-and-health-courses/art?chapter=2

Or visit the Thomas Calton Cantre on Choumert Road, Peckham SE15 4NX -  Opening hours are from 9.30am - 5pm Monday to Friday

Nearest station: Peckham Rye. Buses: P12, P13, 12, 37, 63, 78, 197, 343 and 363.

Telephone 0207 358 2100

And on Monday 23rd, Tuesday 24th and Thursday 26th of July from 10am until 4.30pm I'll be teaching Watercolour:

Day one: Stretching paper, washes, backruns and cauliflowers, colour.

Day two: Masking out, blocking in, wax resist, using salt.

Day three: Still life and landscape.

I hope to see you there!

CULTURE CAFE!

Also, throughout July, I'll be at Union Chapel every Wednesday from 11am - 2pm helping you to make mushrooms out of papier mache. These will form part of the Mushroom Mystery installation in and around the chapel in the coming weeks. More information here:

https://www.unionchapel.org.uk/event/11-07-2018-culture-cafe/

And here is a picture of me as Kiss Me Quick, offering bespoke cocktail inspired love potions and a poetry lucky dip at The Chutney Spa. The photo was taken by artist Sarah Sparkes who curated The Chutney Preserves Chutney Spa for the launch of Camberwell Arts Week last month:

And another one taken by artist Rachael House, who ordered Kiss Me Quick's Dark Pep:

Hello everyone,

More surprises for June!

Today (Sunday June 10th) come and find me at the Union Chapel Summer Fete, and help me make some suffragette themed rosettes, sashes and placards for you to wear and carry, to celebrate the centenary anniversary of women being given the vote.

 https://www.unionchapel.org.uk/event/2018-06-10-union-chapel-summer-fete/

Also, your chance to pick a flower for 20p:

Next Saturday - June 16th - Come and celebrate the launch of Camberwell Arts Week, Chutney style! Curated by Sarah Sparkes.

From midday on Camberwell Green I will be manifesting as Kiss Me Quick, offering bespoke and curative love potions and a poetry lucky dip. Find a rich cornucopia of arty wonders and peculiar offerings from a smorgasboard of Chutney creatives.

And next week you can see my short film "Singing Ghost" and my still from the imaginary film "The Dark Lights" at Empire II, curated by Vanya Balogh, which is travelling to Estonia, for Tallin Art Week:

--

​Also next week on Wednesday between 11am and 2pm, I will be making mushrooms out of papier mache to decorate the nooks and crannies of Union Chapel, at the Culture Cafe. Sessions are free and all materials are provided. The Margins Cafe will be open for lunch, serving delicious food at very reasonable prices. Do come along and join in!

With love and best wishes - Joanna​

Hello everyone,

This month is jam packed with exciting arty experiences.

First up, treat yourself to some life drawing!

I'm teaching Marathon Life Drawing next Saturday 9th June, at Thomas Calton Centre in Peckham, SE15. The course takes place over two consecutive Saturdays, 10am - 4.30pm, and I share it with my colleague Rebecca Allen, who will be teaching on Saturday 16th - so it's a great chance to experience a variety of teaching styles.

For more information and to book a place, go here:

https://www.southwark.gov.uk/schools-and-education/adult-learning/our-courses/creative-leisure-and-health-courses/art?chapter=3

And then on  Sunday June 17th at 6.30pm it's time for the third Five Alive! in the bar at Union Chapel, Islington N1

​:​

The class lasts for three hours, with five models, music, and drinks available from the bar throughout the night. Free art materials are provided. The theme for the middle pose this time is disco, and there will be one to one tutoring from me during the multi model long pose.

For more information and to book a place go here:

https://www.unionchapel.org.uk/event/17-06-2018-5-alive/

​More info to follow later, on the other exciting events in June.

Hello everyone,

My picture's in the paper!

The little oil painting About Peckham, with Lanternier, is the first in a series of 12" square paintings inspired from photos taken in and around Peckham, SE15.

I hope that you can make it along to the BAG exhibition Outpost at Shortwave Cafe in Bermondsey, where it's being shown along with all sorts of delightful and interesting works by a myriad of artists.