Open Studios is not just about buying a piece of art work: it's an opportunity to see how a professional studio is set up and, if you're lucky, a chance to pick up a few tips.
"Over the years so many people have been generous with their knowledge: South East Open Studios is my chance to give something back." Louisa Crispin is a Silversmith who works from home but her 'studio' is too small for visitors. When she was invited to share the open studio experience with 2 other artists she decided to bring as much of her workroom to the venue as possible. "....and I demonstrate all the time. This year I'm planning to show how I make hollow silver beads, but last year I kept finding myself doing impromptu demonstrations to help answer visitors questions."
South East Open Studios is a huge undertaking and having 3 artists in one venue is very attractive to visitors. Obviously the artists want you to buy their work, they do need to make a living, but Louisa, Flic and Sue feel you can visit any of their stockists to buy so they want to make SEOS a special experience.
Sue Scullard is a Wood Engraver. Each of her delicate black and white pictures is printed from a block of boxwood which has been painstakingly engraved using a set of very fine tools with unusual names such as spitsticker and scorper. Sue explains and demonstrates the marks that each graver can make and will also show how a block is printed.
Felicity Flutter is primarily a watercolour painter who is particularly renowned for her detailed landscapes. Her wall displays include examples of how she composes her pictures and its fascinating to watch her produce a cloudy skyline using brushes and tissues. Flic is Area Co-ordinators Officer for SEOS and works all year to recruit new artists and help to guide the ethos of open studios. "Although we are only open for the two weeks in June, the website is used all year by Gallery owners and individuals looking for artists. They may wish to commission a special piece for an anniversary or find someone to run a workshop - there is a huge wealth of experience in South East Open Studios."
Being part of SEOS is about being part of a community with regular newsletters and opportunity bulletins - with over 300 artists involved that's quite a network!
Louisa, Flic and Sue will be open from 10am to 5pm from Wednesday 9th to Saturday 12th and then from Thursday 17th to Sunday 20th at Guernsey Cottage, Wisley Green, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2LG. www.seos-art.org
