I am doing Surrey Open Studio for the first time this June. It is celebration of having a new studio space and hope it will be a great opportunity to meet artists, locals and collectors and share and sell my work. I will be sharing my colourful paintings and monochrome prints inspired by maps locally and beyond. There will be some new work - small paintings that are maps of Churt, Frensham, Tilford and other villages around Farnham.
It will also be the first time I am sharing my new wooden block sculptures. They are a bit of an experiment - using wood offcuts to display my prints differently and I am intrigued to see what people think. I will be open on the 1st, 2nd, 7th, 8th, 9th, 21st, 22nd & 23rd June and on the 7, 8 & 9 June offering one hour drop in sessions where you can create your own small colourful block sculpture. Find more details here.
For Open Studios, I have joined nine other artist on the Hindhead Art Trail. You will find luscious ceramics, dramatic abstract landscapes, perfect wildlife portraits, and much more. The trail is a perfect way to spend a morning or afternoon.
Start in Churt with Fiona Millais’s evocative semi-abstract landscapes that respond to the local area and the coast. Across Churt village, Georgina Rey is exhibiting loose oil sketches done on site capturing the feeling of local places, alongside larger, colourful abstracts. Just up the road, come and see my paintings at Bargate Cottage, Churt Road - colourful paintings and monochrome prints inspired by maps locally and beyond.
Turning South through Whitmore Vale, find Alison Hunt’s textural, abstract landscapes in wonderful tones. They sit alongside Nicola Martin’s stoneware pottery, including her signature ‘Earth bowls’ that evoke the strata between land and sea. Both artists are inspired by the colours, shapes and textures of the natural world which they interpret in their pieces.
On the road into Grayshott, visit Alison Orchard’s working studio at Applegarth Farm. Enjoy a collection of expressive sea and landscape paintings, alongside gutsy abstracts and a range of limited-edition prints. The gallery also showcases a selection of hand-thrown ceramics by respected artists. There is a lot to tempt and inspire!
This might be a moment to stop for a coffee or lunch at Applegarth Farm restaurant and deli, with locally sourced and home-grown food.
Next stop Annie Child’s fused and stained glass, in her lovely oak framed garden studio on the edge of Grayshott village. Annie’s range of glass art draws on her love of colour and the beauty of the natural world around her.
In Grayshott village, the Punchbowl Gallery hosts Angie Wallace and Nicky Chubb. Angie creates amazingly realistic artworks of wildlife, packed full of intricate detail in coloured pencils and pastels. Nicky paints expressionistic, stylised sparkling trees in mixed media, and creates multicoloured and textured collaged nudes from life.
Finish the trail in Beacon Hill with Emma Godden’s fantastically observed, tactile garden ornaments inspired by seed pods and flowers. You can make three of your own at her workshop on 21 June.
There is no right way to experience the Hindhead Art Trail, start and finish where you like. Trail maps are available in each studio and details of opening times and workshops are here and instagram @Hindheadarttrail
Open studios are a great way for artists and art lovers meet new people, get and give feedback and find new art. It would be lovely to see you at Bargate Cottage.