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 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.

Catch Up of News

I really must get into the habit of posting shorter snippets - more often!  This past week or so I have covered quite a bit of ground so will try and catch up on the news without being too long winded.

I had a lovely visit to family in Hertfordshire and one highlight was accompanying my sister to Shardeloes Equestrian Centre, where she works as a freelance riding instructress.  Due to clients still away over the Easter period she only had a few lessons to take and I welcomed the opportunity to take my sketchbook along for a session drawing horses and ponies from life!



A retired Shetland pony...

 

 

  

 

 

 

            

 

 

   

Dozing in a stable...

  

 

 

 

The selection of sketches shown illustrates how gestural sometimes these drawings need to be.  Animals do not stay still!  Sometimes a position will be taken up again and the study can continue, other times the pose will have to be abandoned and another sketch commenced.  It is best to accept the nature of this type of work and adopt the spirit of enquiry.  The drawings certainly have faults but overall contain an essence, a feeling of life.  I love looking at artists' sketchbooks and I hope you enjoy this peek into mine.  I would just to say a 'thank you' to the staff at Shardeloes for welcoming me.

 

The weekend before last I was part of an Open Day at Henderson Art and Framing.  The idea was to invite people to come and see the studio, view some artwork, meet the tutors and hopefully get inspired to sign up to a class.  We didn't really know what the response might be but Sue did a great job advertising the event and several current class members came along to support us and brought interested people with them.  

 

Display of work for classes at Open Studio Event

 

The day was a great success with plenty of visitors and some new people signed up for classes.  Myself and the other two tutors commented on the buzzing atmosphere and felt the event was definitely worthwhile. 

 

View 1 of workshop in progress

View 2 of workshop in progress

 

Finally, the Water Mixable Oils Workshop took place last Wednesday (see images above).  I was pleased with how the day went and the participants were delightful and very industrious!  It was a full day, and working step-by-step can sometimes be challenging as we all work at a slightly different pace - some need to work quicker than they would like and others have to slow down a bit.  I hope that everyone went home with their 16 x 16" box canvas and felt that during the process of painting 'Agapanthus' they had learned some useful techniques and gleaned plenty of information about these products.  As I provided polystyrene plates to use as palettes I made sure they all had some freshly squeezed pain,t in the limited palette of colours we had been using, so that there would be an opportunity to 'tweak' the work should they wish over the following day or so at home... 

 

Whew, a whistle stop catch up of news - definitely need to post more often.  Right, off to the studio this afternoon as time is running short to work on a drawing for the upcoming WNAA exhibition at the end of the month titled 'Drawing Attention' - the closing date for entries is rapidly approaching!