First weekend of Cambridge Open Studios

Here are some of the visitors I had at my studio in Milton this weekend.  I think there were nearly 100 over the two days with good sales and interest in my work.  I had lots of requests for printmaking workshops so I will look into the feasibility - watch this space for any announcements!

Looking forward to doing it all again next weekend or by appointment during the week.

Art Auction for Arthur Rank Hospice

All the artists taking part in Cambridge Open Studios this year, have been asked to decorated a heart template. These will be auctioned later in the year to raise finds for the new Arthur Rank Hospice currently being built at Shelford Bottom (no sniggering at the name please).

I decided to do a paper drypoint print featuring blackbirds and a smaller heart highlighted with silver metal leaf. Click on the above photo to see the process involved.

And here is the finished print, titled 'Every Moment Counts'.  There are eight prints in the edition, a framed one going to the auction.  I will also be donating £5 from the sale of each of the remaining prints to the hospice as they have been instrumental in the care of several family members, so I know at first hand the valuable work they do.

Cambridge Open Studios 2016

It's the first day of July and open studio season begins. My studio is having it's annual tidy, ready for opening next weekend, come rain or shine.  Do come along if you can, there are other studios open the same weekends in Milton and surrounding villages.

The yellow guides featuring over 300 artists taking part are available in shops, galleries and libraries around Cambridgeshire.  My studio has disabled access and is listed as studio number 102 on page 38.  I look forward to seeing you, the middle two weekends in July or by appointment during the week in-between.

Meadow Hare

I always like receiving commissions and this was from my neighbour.  She already has 'Viewpoint', the print of a goldfinch perched on top of a teasel and she wanted another to go with it, for her holiday house in Norfolk.

Hares seem to be more prevalent in Norfolk than in Cambridgeshire and we often see them when heading back from the coast.  I've been wanted to do a new print with hares for a while, so this spurred me on.  Cow parsley is one of my favourite subjects and I thought it worked well with the hare to create balance on the right of the design.

I made the plate from a special type of coated board.  It isn't very hard wearing so I could only print eight.  For each print, the plate has to be inked individually which wears the lines away.  Once the print is dry, I add watercolour by hand then sign, date and edition the print.

Country Kitchen

I am pleased to say I have another new stockist, a lovely food and gift-ware shop in the pretty village of Haslingfield, just outside Cambridge, called Country Kitchen.  It's very easy to find, just opposite the church. They are now stocking my coasters, tea towels and greetings cards.  However, if today is anything to go by, I don't think I'll be making much profit from supplying them as I will be spending far too much on all the delicious produce they sell.

Cambridge Edition

I am very pleased to be one of the artists featured in the June issue of Cambridge Edition.  Pick up a copy if you are in town.

Cards colour change

I decided to change the colours of two of my card designs.  The 'Bikes' are now black & white, which match the tea towels and most popular of the coasters. The 'Dandelion Clocks' I changed for a different, brighter blue version of the drypoint print.  Both now available from my shop.