Vivien Hoffman
Introducing Vivien Hoffman, also known as Joie De Viv, the brilliant artist behind the iconic ambiance of Chaplin's and Modern Times Restaurant in Boscombe, complete with its unmissable three-story mural adorning the front façade. Vivien has now unveiled a vibrant new collection of art products, a celebration of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. And, to get an exclusive insight into her creative journey, we've secured an interview with Vivien herself.
How did you get started?
I’d been painting landscapes from my studio in Southbourne for a few years when I realised that there was no one really showcasing our incredible coastline in a way that would appeal to both tourists and locals alike. Places like Brighton and Bristol have a strong output in this genre, and I felt that I could really add something vibrant and original for the thousands of visitors looking for a memento of their visit. I mean, we are so spoiled for choice here. We have the amazing variety of nature and geology of Hengistbury Head, then the beautifully laid-out town of Bournemouth with its numerous public parks (John Betjeman called it “A garden with houses in it”) and the glorious Poole Bay, not to mention our seven miles of golden sandy beaches.
I started out by painting a set of tea towel designs that featured the beach and cliffs and also the increasingly popular bars, restaurants and shops of Southbourne. Sahra of Flaming Noras helped me to launch my Joie de Viv range by hanging these colourful tea towels in the window of her vibrant gift shop, and by putting my first greeting cards on display. From there I went on to create more “Art on a Tea Towel” designs bringing to life the best of Christchurch, Mudeford, Bournemouth, Westbourne and Poole.
What sets your products apart from what was already on offer?
My artwork is all about curve, colour, pattern and flow. So my passion is to take a favourite scene, say the Lower Gardens looking from the Pavilion toward the Wheel, and depict it in a way that is recognisable but inspires people to see it in an adventurous new way.
My tea towel and tote bag designs (also available as prints) are made up of a joyful montage of scenes interwoven with my signature hand-lettering. They are long-lasting items made in the UK and printed with high quality inks onto organic cotton.
I don’t sell my products online as I prefer the human element of retailing in local shops. In this era of struggling high streets and empty units, I want to keep the dream alive of Bournemouth as a worthy destination for shoppers and tourists, as well as adding value for the people who live here.
Where did the Joie de Viv name originate?
Well my name is Vivien and I’m all about spreading joy through colour and pattern. Also, I used to live in Paris, so voilà!
What’s next for you?
I have around 60 designs of greetings cards featuring scenes from Avon Beach to Westbourne and Branksome. Next on my radar are some of the exciting vistas from Sandbanks to Poole. Meanwhile, I’ve been working on integrating home decor with art and design, which I display on my Instagram. I have new larger scale artworks in the pipeline and I’m looking forward to putting on an exhibition of my artwork in 2024.
Website → joiedeviv.uk
Instagram → @vivienhoffman.art
