Open studios, sculptures and a dingle dangle

September 10, 2024

Following on from my previous post on the Open Studios we visited this weekend, here’s more from the second studio, hosted by sculptor Mark Hodgson who opened his garden and invited us to wander around to view his amazing items, and they were amazing.

The spade heads were amusing, and a great way to ruse old garden tools and more. While they were fun, I can’t see them in my future garden plans, which I think MOH could be a little disappointed by, but I do see one or more of Mark’s scrap birds in those designs, so that’s a definite watch this space.

They are great fun, and involve great skill - but it was the birds that really caught my attention. I can imagine one (or maybe more) on the fence posts of the trellis around the heat pump. And maybe it’d keep the crows slightly at bay, who knows?!

So don’t be surprised if one of these metal scrap birds appears at some point in the future!

And a dingle dangle

It’s always hard to leave these Open Studio events empty handed, but often it’s hard to choose just one thing! Here it was one of the dingle dangles made by Kate Sell, a mosaic and fused glass artist, and there were many to choose from. I opted for a tiny Christmas tree design in a gloriously sparkly green oblong and very tactile piece of glass. I’ve plans for it to be our new Christmas tree ornament of 2024, though at the moment can’t quite bring myself to store it in the garage with the other decorations - let’s just hope I remember it in a few months time!

I also left with a couple of Mark’s wife Amy’s succulents to add to those I brought home from Gardeners’ World Live earlier in the summer - I already know my next challenge will be how and where to store them overwinter. Amy’s advice was shelter and some cover, but that they wouldn’t like no light, so that rules the garage out - unless I can get MOH to put up a shelf or rig up some Heath Robinson solution in front of the windows on the door!

So two great visits, with plenty on display from a small number of local artists. Do look out for Open Studio events near where you live, or where you’re visiting, and do pop along I know it means the world to the artists, and they’re even more pleased if you are able to buy some of their work, now or in the future.

Open Studios and some new cards

September 8, 2024

I spotted that this weekend some artists in a village close to us were holding an Open Studios weekend, and so waking to mist and rain on Saturday we headed over to see what there was to see.

The event in Long Bennington was split over two properties and our first stop was at the home of Roger and Carole Lee, both retired artists; him a sculptor and her a fashion designer, but both collectors. As we stepped into their home both MOH and I were wowed, it was full of the most amazing items - and by full, I mean full, though later when talking to Carole it was clear that she was still collecting and so there would be plenty more space for what’s to come.

Both the lives of Carole and her husband were (and are) fascinating, and I am sure they were both big players in the fashion scene in the sixties, making items full of awe for themselves and high profile clients, and with plenty of stories to tell. Carole showed some of the photos, and some of her dresses were on display among the many items - it was a truly wonderful place, and they have featured in Channel 4’s Millionaire Hoarders programme (still currently available), which is definitely worth a watch.

It was great to meet them and to hear the stories from their lives, and to get a glimpse into their wondrous home. We also met local artist Vanessa Stone who was displaying some of her work in the conservatory.

My eye was immediately drawn to the cards, and well it was a done deal really, I was always going to leave with some wasn’t I, because you never know when you’re going to need the right card, do you?

Five cards by Vanessa Stone

It was great to meet with Vanessa too, her art is “all about capturing a time and a place” which she does by making ‘richly colourful cut paper collages and had printed textiles’ of the English landscape, nature and architecture in her local surroundings. She layers paper and cuts them to reveal her design, and to me they have a wholesome and everyday feel to them which is fantastic.

THE VEGETABLE PATCH AND THE WATERING CAN

Aren’t they great?

Each one has detailing that I love, and I’ve a feeling that I may not be parting with the bike one anytime soon!

Our next stop was at the second of the two Open Studios, and I’ll share more of our visit there in my next post.

Havelock Walk Open Studios in Forest Hill

May 9, 2016

Remember Place in Print that I cycled over to see last summer? Well yesterday I popped back to see the latest work by Ed, Nancy and Jamie as part of the Havelock Walk Open Studios event. If you're thinking that sounds fab and is somewhere you'd like to go, then you can because it's also taking place next weekend, and it's definitely worth a visit.

It was another lovely day for our visit and this was the sight that welcomed us:

The blue sky, the rooftop garden and the faded facade reminded me of Cuba, which I visited back in 2000 as a solo traveller, which was quite an experience. As we looked along Havelock Walk though it was much more English in nature, complete with bunting and astro turf.

Place in Print's studio is right at the end of the walk, but it's worth the walk to see their wares. The next couple of photos are examples of Jamie from Pen & Gravy's work. The snakes of Sydenham (below) were inspired from a trip to the park (in Sydenham) with his little boy, who saw snakes and it seems to have stuck. Pretty though aren't they? For snakes.

I was quite taken with the crockery above and you'll not be surprised to learn I bought two of the yellow mugs before we left.

There was also some textiles and notebooks from Nancy Straughan on display. I love the textures in the prints, and it's already well documented here about how much I'm partial to a notebook. These were no different.

Ed from Place in Print has some new items too - I'm not sure if they're new stock or just that I didn't see them before - but these Bust Blind Scarfs would make a great present, especially in chillier weather.

The map above is of the surrounding area, with the street names as the streets. It's very clever and would make a perfect New Home gift for any London homeowner.

We had a wander around many of the other studios too, the art on display was varied and there's definitely something there for everyone.