t/a The ARC Shed

Folk & Canal Art, Powertex Tutor

Open to the public

Yes, by appointment only

Provides courses or training

Available for craft fairs

Yes

Contact

Golf Lane, Whitnash
Leamington Spa
Warwickshire
United Kingdom
CV31 2PY

Vanessa Cooper

e: thearcshed@gmail.com

https://www.thearcshed@gmail.com

About

I discovered Folk Art painting some years ago and fell in love with Canal Art. Once my confidence and skill level improved I wanted to learn more about this style (even though I don't own a canal boat) so when I heard about Terence Edgar, a Master Decorative Painter I took his two-day course on Roses and Castles over at Stoke Bruene Canal Museum back in 2019. This was my proper introduction to this long established art form, and working with enamels.

I am a Certified Decorative Artist (CDA) via the Decorative Artists Academy, USA (previously The Society of Decorative Painters), and so far I am the first and only UK citizen to have achieved this.

I am also a Certified Powertex Tutor which is a multipurpose, very versatile medium that is weatherproof after a curing period. It is used for fabric sculpting, painting and mixed media.

I am passionate about sharing my skills with others and do so by running workshops in both decorative painting and powertex from my home studio. In addition to passing on skills, the positive benefits of creative activities on our mental health and well-being are now more widely recognised and this is another area I am passionate about supporting. Teaching others is a joy.

Having become aware recently that Canal Art is one of the crafts on the Red List, moving forward I am keen to continue developing myself further by adding Signwriting to my list of skills.

The items in my gallery are examples of my work and an online shop will be added soon.

I would be delighted to discuss workshops with you and/or discuss any commission pieces with you - the Water Pump was one such item.

Vanessa