THANK YOU FOR VISITING CHERRYVALE, LONDON

Thank you to everyone who braved the crowds (and the queue at the front door) and came along to celebrate Cherryvale Skateboard Co's Private View in London last night. It was a great turnout. Amazing. Hope you enjoyed the work and the free Baltika. If you missed last night, or if you want to see the work minus the crowds, the show runs until July 27 @ The Gallery, First Floor 125 Charing Cross Rd (Above Soho Books) - also the location of a 'secret' photography bookshop, Claire De Rouen's, she has some incredible stuff there. We caught up with most of the artists who came last night. Somehow we missed Klaus. And we're not sure if Yuko made it. Get in touch guys. Okay. Pictures will soon follow soon. Thanks again for making the night a great one. J&Vx

PAUL DRUMMOND

Paul grew up around clowns. So nobody was surprised when he ran away to join the circus. Quite how he swapped life in the big top for set design and art direction we’re not sure. But we do know he’s just written a book about Roky Erickson (of 13th Floor Elevators fame) and that once he got married in Texas by accident.

NICKY WIRE

Nicky is in a band called Manic Street Preachers. They delve into literature, politics and face painting. Super smart, straightforward and charmingly argumentative, he says what he thinks. In a very Welsh accent. And he happens to look pretty great in a kilt.

VIKTORIA

She drinks tea with the spoon still in the cup. Her eyes are on the sides of her head (alot like her drawings), so you always think she's going to bump into something. She's a poet, she's a musician, she's an illustrator and she was in a horror movie covered in fake blood. She also stars in Valerie's next book.

NICK HAYMES

So many guy photographers think they’re rock stars. But not Nick Haymes. He makes no bullshit, incredibly personal images with real substance. Any time Valerie sees a picture she likes, it’s usually by Nick.

LARRY KENT MILLS

Larry is an ex-biker who lives in Cherryvale and works at the Leatherock Hotel. We met him when we did our show there. He's been drawing stuff since he was a kid. He showed us a bunch of his work from over the years and it was amazing. From scary to beautiful, all good. Larry took great care of us in Cherryvale, he's a top man and we dig him big time. Goodonya Larry.

DESIGN YOUR OWN SKATEBOARD

This is Sergio De Falco's winning 'Design a deck' entry. We've made it into a skateboard and Sergio joins the Cherryvale Skate Team for their London show. Top stuff. Sergio hails from Moline, Kansas and at 8 years old is the youngest member of the squad. (We'll mail your board out to you just as soon as the show's done Serge. We can call you Serge, right?)

WELCOME BEER

Opening night tonight. Have a Baltika. Leave a comment.

HANGING THE LONDON SHOW

Today is Thursday. Tonight's opening night. We hung pretty much all the work Tuesday. Then did a bit of fine tuning yesterday. It was weird hanging the show without Jim. He's off on some job in the middle of Arabia. We miss him. But we did make a new friend, Nathan, who helped us to put everything up (That's him drilling the wall). He did a great job - everyone's work looks at it's best. Thanks Nathan. We can't wait for tonight. Hope to see a bunch of you there. Jason & Valerie.

WE LOVE BALTIKA BEER

Congratulations to Baltika beer who have become the first official sponsor of Cherryvale Skateboard Company. We started drinking Baltika because it was the only beer in England we could find served in a frosty glass. We loved it. Now they've agreed to sponsor our Private View, we love it even more. If you're coming, get there early, it's bound to run out. And thank you Sharon Annette at Baltika for hooking us up. Cheers Sharon.

HERE'S THE INVITE

We've been really busy getting the show organised (and holding down our day jobs). Last week the invites arrived and ever since we've been scribbling names n addresses and licking stamps so we can get them mailed out. We can't wait to hang the work. See you at the show.