Open Studios in Swaffham Prior
Each weekend in July, the keen eyed may notice the fluttering of the
distinctive yellow flags of the Cambridge Open Studios organisation around the
county where one or more member artists are showing their work, whether in an
exhibition space or the artists'own studios and homes. This year Swaffham
Prior is hosting two working studios within the event with Lorraine Izon (Lower
End) and Paul Abbott (Mill Hill) both taking part.
"It's a great opportunity for anyone at all interested in arts or crafts to meet participating artists, share their views and get an insight into the whole process of making art" said Paul, an enthusiastic painter for ten years, "It's extraordinary the variety of things to see across the event, and it's all for free!" The majority of Lorraine's work is inspired by the shapes, forms and textures that are found in nature. It features birds, plants and animals in a range of sculptural pieces, tiles, ceramic pictures, bowls, bottles and vases. "I have been working as a Potter for many years and I still find it as challenging and exciting today as I did when I first discovered clay as an art student. There is always something new to learn" she said. Lorraine will be opening the studio doors at Meadow View, 24 Lower End, Swaffham Prior on the three weekends of 4/5th, 11th/12th and 25/26th of July and will also be showing a selection of drawings, prints and cards.
Paul paints with oils, with subject matter taken mostly from seaside or rural
landscapes. Beach huts are a popular subject, and he still enjoys painting his
stylised versions, evoking something of a cross between the English East coast
and the Indian Ocean. More recent work has drawn inspiration from the local
landscape in particular yellow rapeseed fields, silhouettes of the dyke and the
wind blown reeds and grasses of Wicken Fen, all painted from a
characteristically vivid palette. Paul will be opening his studio on the
weekends of 11/12th and18/19th July, at The Mill House (next to Foster's
Windmill) Mill Hill, Swaffham Prior.
Copies of the Cambridge Open Studios guidebook listing participating artists and the weekends on which they are open are available free of charge from local shops and public places, from participating artists or from the Cambridge Open Studios organisation (requires a SAE - see their website at www.camopenstudios.co.uk). All venues are open from 11am to 6pm, entry is free and there will be a wide range of work for sale at most venues from postcards to substantial original pieces.
Contacts