Posting this in gratitude for all the amazing connections that have come about through this years @artistsopenhouses, and from being out in the world as a painter, this photograph was taken by @alisonberrettartist who lives near Oxford look up spontaneously yesterday on a trip to Brighton and came to my studio, and we had so much instantly to talk about, and so much common ground about the process of painting, and the experience of opening up your house.
The mixture of fear, vulnerability and excitement, and then such warmth and satisfaction from bringing something to fruition and the support and conversations that come about in the process.
I always feel massively inspired afterwards -having the conversations, I find things coming out of my mind that I didn’t even know I thought – which can be very helpful.
I also absolutely loved having my three fellow artists in our home, they were all cool calm supportive and helpful, and ridiculously talented Emma Stanton who creates incredible sustainable jewellery is a fantastic warm positive presence always and a right hand woman in the house;
Jane Sarre and Amanda Sumpter both brought understated elegance and powerful stillness through their work. I will write another post just about the curation and mix of work.
The last photograph was taken just over an hour ago at the Open House of the sculptor @eve_shepherd_sculpture – I was there as she made this sculpture from the neck up, and it was literally like watching her subconscious bring about something solid and expressive from nothing but clay and I understood the connection between painting and sculpting for the first time and we talked about how the materials talk to you, and feedback to you, extremely interesting and powerful to have that chance to talk about her work – and very moving to get up close to the clay while it was being worked, amazing – I am a-bit awestruck!
I also got a private listen to @eyeplay.music on her cello playing her own original music in the garden studio.
Exquisite as ever. I feel very lucky and grateful.
Also very grateful to be part of @hove_arts who are a brilliantly well organised and supportive community of artists some opening houses over twenty years including Dion Salvador Lloyd https://linktr.ee/dion_s_lloyd – who is always so engaged and supportive.
Watch this space for news of three shows coming up in the Autumn.