THE work of a Teesdale artist is set to hit TV screens later this year as part of a new BBC series.
Fine artist Jo van Kampen, who lives in Barnard Castle, has been chosen, along with her six-year-old whippet Ollie, to star in a regional episode for the new programme River Walks with Kirsten O’Brien.
The international artist is the official illustrator for the British Kennel Club. Although she specialises in painting gundogs, wildlife and the outdoors also feature heavily in her portfolio.
She said: “It all came totally out of the blue when I got the email two weeks ago. They headhunted me.
“The researcher who visited me said they were looking for someone a bit different.”
Filming for the episode, which will be aired in December, took place last week.
Cameras followed the picturesque route of the Teesdale Way from High Force down to Egglestone Abbey.
The 50-year-old artist will be captured chatting to Ms O’Brien about her work.
She said: “We will be chatting about my work and how living in Teesdale influences my art. We will then visit my studio to see some of my work.
“It has all happened really quickly.
“I have never been in front of the cameras before. I am nervous but I am looking forward to it.”
