The Open Studio Experience

Doors thrown open in welcome...

Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios 2014 has proved to be an enjoyable affair and, even if not in monetary terms, I consider it a success. It was the first time I have opened up my home studio and did wonder if I would get any visitors at all as I am tucked away in a little village so far out. After a slow start on that first Saturday (the torrential rain in the morning may have played a part) the remaining days saw a steady trickle of family, friends, neighbours and a few new curious people from further afield who saw my entry in the brochure. A very big "thank you" for your support and interest, it has been much appreciated. The feedback on my studio and artwork has been very encouraging and sales of greetings cards plus a few items from the browser has been a boost.

Trying out drawing techniques with Quink ink and dip pens...

I had laid out a table with two work stations and encouraged visitors to have a go with the dip pens and Quink ink. Whilst this medium is not suitable for wall hanging work as it is not lightfast, it is perfect in a sketchbook. When diluted out into a wash with clean water the black ink separates out into delightful blues, greys and sepia - all by itself, like magic.

Will I do an Open Studio event at home again? Definitely, although maybe the year after next as it will give me time to build up a new body of work. What would I do differently? I was very happy with how I had the studio and felt the cards/postcards/browser and bargain basket were worth having. I enjoyed taking the artwork off the walls and rearranging (curating) into a new configuration - it helps to see the work with fresh eyes. I wanted to display some of my collection of found natural objects and felt having them dotted around amongst the art created coherence and added interest. I think next time I would splash out on advertising with personal invitation cards, and post notices in the 'What's On' free sections of local papers/online.

I shall leave you with some more images of my lovely studio and a few views of the work I had on my easels during the period...

Bringing the outdoors in...

Artist in an Acre 2014 display

Some of the natural objects I collect...

Information about art classes 

Dog portrait in pastel - the underpainting stage

Work in progress - camel in charcoal

Pencil drawing (from specimen) on white Bristol board, candle wax added to
dandelion seed heads to act as resist during next stage

Varigated watercolour wash applied,
plus some spatter

Colour and detail added with coloured pencil

Open Studio - First Weekend

Inside and out... studio ready for visitors

As I write and look out the window, heavy rain is lashing down and it takes me back to the start of the weekend when Paul and I struggled in the wind and rain to fix laminated notices to gateposts. However it cleared by early afternoon and Open Studios was up and running. I had a quiet first day and only two visitors so finished the day wondering if my fears of being too 'off the beaten track' were well founded. Sunday dawned bright and clear and I had a lovely day with a steady flurry of interested visitors. Some were members of the art classes I teach and keen to see where I create the sample work for the sessions delivered at the Henderson Art & Framing studio in Gaywood. Others were members of West Norfolk Artists Association and having met me, or heard of me, seemed to enjoy chatting about the challenges of being an artist and viewing my personal artwork. Neighbours called round to find out more about what I 'get up to' and, of course, the dedicated art lovers who browse the NNOS14 brochure to find studios they would like to visit.

Studio view... happy to put the kettle on while you look at work
and feel free to take a seat and chat about any aspects of being an artist.

Yesterday, Bank Holiday Monday, was once again bright with sunny spells despite showers forecast. I was delighted to receive visitors again interested in art and artist studios. I have Work in Progress on my table easel and floor standing easel, but haven't made much progress as I do love to chat! A major highlight of the day was when my mum and sister surprised me with a flying visit, they had travelled all the way from Hertfordshire.

Blocking in base layers for dog portrait using soft pastel

So, what can you expect if you visit? The walls display my personal artwork which includes many animal portraits, a particular passion, in a variety of media. There is a browser with mounted (but not framed) work and these include studies and still life subjects. A Bargain Basket contains loose work of mostly experiments or workshop studies. There is a stand with cards/postcards for sale and a display of artwork samples to promote the pastel and mixed media classes I teach. Further round is an area devoted to my Artist in Acre Project - self initiated and an ongoing task for the whole year. This brings us back to the Work in Progress, this will change as artwork gets completed and a new challenge gets underway.

Read the programme for current classes,
and view examples of work from previous sessions

I have also set up a table with natural objects and examples of drawings done with dip pens and Quink Ink. Feel free to have a go and experience the amazing properties of this permanent ink - ideal for use in a sketchbook (but not work for hanging as not lightfast).

Try your hand at drawing with a dip pen, and Quink Ink

This weekend has proved that there are family, friends, neighbours, acquaintances and art lovers who are local or from further afield, interested to see what Open Studios is all about. Thank you all for your interest and support, it is greatly appreciated and I look forward to meeting more of you over the next two weekends.

Visit www.nnopenstudios.org.uk for more information on participating artists.

Open Studio 2014

Apologies, I can't believe that I left it so long without updating these blog posts! The busier I am, the more I have to potentially show you but the less time there is to sit at the computer. The sun is shining and there is a Bank Holiday weekend coming up - yes, it is that time of year again when artists across Norfolk throw open their studio doors and invite family, friends and the general public into their creative spaces. In previous years I have intermittently participated as part of a group in various locations, but this year I am opening my own studio here at home...

I have been doing some dusting and hoovering and sorting/organising the clutter that inevitably accumulates in the corners, but don't worry, it is unmistakably a working artist studio and I certainly plan to be drawing and painting during the opening times. I have enjoyed deciding what work to display and where, I think I should change things around on the walls more often! It can help to see work with fresh eyes. With just a few days left to go I now feel almost ready.

Almost ready... and here is a taster

 
For directions please visit the Norfolk & Norwich Open Studio website at www.nnopenstudios.org.uk or if you are local and have a brochure see page 66, under West Norfolk 14. Please note it is a different image in these locations - so look for the lemur!

In the meantime, here is a personal invitation. If you are in the area it would be lovely to see you. More news soon, and I will catch up news on my self-set 'Artist in an Acre' project.

West Norfolk Artists at South Acre

What glorious sunny weather for an exciting time of the month.  The Norfolk Open Studio season is upon us and Friday saw myself and a group of other artists from the West Norfolk Artists Association busy setting up at St. George's Church in South Acre to take part in this event.  The venue is delightful and the Church has many interesting features.  The current trend for art to be viewed in these settings has really opened up these spaces and a lot of people get as much pleasure from the architecture as from the artwork! 

St. George's Church, South Acre

The setting up went smoothly and display boards were allocated on the basis of drawing a concealed golf ball from a bag upon which the two consecutive board numbers were written.  I was very pleased with my spot - just inside the entrance.

Putting the final touches to display

As luck would have it, once all the work was in place by everyone there was a spare board alongside my work and I had just the canvas to fill it... Kingmaker.  So the next morning (yesterday) when I returned to spend the day stewarding I brought the canvas with me and quickly hung it before the opening time.

My display area

The Church looked splendid with all our work displayed, very vibrant and 'alive'.  As early bird visitors started to arrive I set up to spend time working on a pastel portrait of the head of a sheep.  This is really class preparation so I had to keep reminding myself to photograph the stages.

At work during NOS12

I had such a lovely day.  The visitors arrived in a steady stream and I enjoyed greeting them and chatting.  The church was a pleasant temperature, even sat just inside the doorway which can sometimes be a draughty position.  It is also pleasant to be able to talk with other artists as we oversee the day.  Artists are never short of a topic for conversation!

After a productive day I was happy to head home with several more hours of sunshine ahead to relax and enjoy.  The exhibition will be closed Monday to Friday this week but reopen on Saturday 2nd June until 10th June, and be open daily 11 am to 5 pm each day - so if you are in the area do pop in for a visual feast.  West Norfolk Artists at South Acre are also part of the Castle Acre Art Trail so there is lots to see in this one small part of Norfolk.  Visit www.thecastleacretrail.co.uk for more information. 

Just needs the final highlights...

I shall leave you with the almost completed sheep portrait - a sneak preview for those on my mixed media classes...