about
“The lyf so short, the craft so long to lerne.” ― Geoffrey Chaucer
Classically trained in Ballet and the Performing, Creative & Decorative Arts at the Arts Educational Schools in Tring and London, Yvonne enjoyed a successful stage career, performing in theatres & television around the world and taught classical ballet, jazz dance and fitness in the Middle East for many years before finally settling in the UK with her Lebanese husband and 2 young children. Together they established and ran, for more than twenty years, a successful family business; a London-based Print and Design company and although Yvonne has always painted and continued to study art throughout her life, it was only once her children had flown the nest that she was able, finally, to pursue a career in art full-time.
Although primarily based in London, Yvonne continued to lead a nomadic life, dividing her time between additional homes in Beirut and the beautiful (Mamma Mia!) island of Skiathos in Greece, where her parents lived for nearly 30 years and where she always found inspiration to paint. It was there in 2008, after inheriting the family home, that Yvonne established the “PAINTING SKIATHOS ART CENTRE" where for several years, throughout the summer months, she, along with visiting tutors, ran popular art courses and a variety of creative workshops such as traditional Byzantine Iconography, silk painting and creative writing. Students of all levels of ability and from all over the globe were welcome to share her idyllic island home and art studio. Today, 'Painting Skiathos' mostly welcomes established fellow-artists from all around the globe, seeking a peaceful, inspirational RETREAT. Yvonne provides them with a unique opportunity and environment in which to explore and develop their individual artistic paths, while actively encouraging the sharing of knowledge, ideas, philosophies and skills, in a friendly, informal and creative, cross-cultural exchange. For further information/enquiries please visit: "PAINTING SKIATHOS"
While still teaching occasionally, Yvonne now devotes much of her time to developing her own work. She regularly exhibits her paintings both in Athens (where she is a Member of Club UNESCO for ARTS, Literature & Science) Beirut and the Greek island of Skiathos where a solo exhibition of her latest works is held annually at the Skiathos Princess Hotel throughout the summer months. Yvonne's artwork is increasingly sought-after and collected by art enthusiasts all over the world and her illustrations currently appear on and in books, periodicals and greetings cards in America, Ireland, France and Italy. Her murals grace the walls of both private and public spaces in London and Greece and, as a keen photographer with an artistic eye for wedding photography in particular, she is becoming increasingly in demand - as is her writing; she's an active author of 4 blogs, has one book published and several others in the pipeline. Always eager to explore and acquire new techniques, Yvonne has also works 3-dimensionally, having recently studied Sculpture at the Kensington and Chelsea College, London and completed a commission to design the stage sets, posters and programmes for Peterborough Opera's 2013 production of Guiseppe Verdi's 'Il Trovatore', and 'Carmen" in 2015.
"Finding enough time to work at all my passions and balancing it with the quiet moments necessary for reflection - constantly prove to be the greatest challenges of all" - Yvonne Ayoub 2014
Thanks for letting me know, Toula. I have amended it.
Hello Yvonne, I reviewed the website you mentioned for Vasilis Korallis’ e-Book “Walks of Skiathos Island,” however, this website is out of date. The correct website is: http://www.greekislandskiathos.com/korallis.html
Thank you,
Ho Toula, nice to hear from you! Can’t add it on the link page here but already have it on the Painting Skiathos Blog: http://paintingskiathos.wordpress.com
Hello, my name is Toula and I am Vasilis’ sister and would like to suggest the inclusion of this link: http://www.greekislandskiathos.com/korallis.html
....which will inform your readers about Vasilis’ Walks of Skiathos book. Thank you.
Hello ‘Eve! Well, fancy that - there are two of us! Where are you in the world? I know of one other ‘Yvonne Ayoub’ in Germany, is that you? Thank you so much for your kind words - I really appreciate them and thank you for taking the time to write! Kind Regards, Yvonne
Hello!
My name is Yvonne Ayoub, as well…
A few years ago, while completely shunning productivity at work, I decided to google myself and found your site.
You are gifted and inspiring.
Thank you for posting some of your work!
Regards,
Eve