Open Studios 2025 was, as ever, a wonderful occasion. After taking pieces to my framer, the transformation began with a grand tidy up, then a coat of fresh white paint and finally the curation of recent work before I opened the doors to visitors.
Open studios is a fantastic opportunity to connect with people - so many are interested to talk about what inspires my work and the process of producing my paintings, and when someone buys one I get to hear about what it is that makes someone want it for their own home.
Unfortunately bad news came soon afterwards - the lease on White Horse Arts Studios studios was not going to be renewed and we had to leave at the end of September.
I didn’t just paint in my light filled spcae, I did my best thinking there, I wrote important letters, kept a journal, planned my workshops, read, made decisions….
After two years searching for such a space I was so excited to get my keys. It didn’t disappoint - highlights were building new friendships, learning together through peer critiques, organising exhibitions and events. If my door was left open my studio buddies knew I was ready for a coffee and a chat, and when the door was closed they knew I was busy.
So, sad times, but there will be somewhere new, fresh beginnings….