Open Studios in Swaffham Prior
July is fast approaching and followers of the annual Cambridge Open Studios
event will be looking forward to visiting artists' studios and other free
exhibitions throughout the county. This year Swaffham Prior has two working
studios opening within the event with Lorraine Izon (Lower End) and Paul Abbott
(Mill Hill) both taking part again.
"It's a great way to spend an afternoon or weekend getting to see the extraordinary variety of work on show " said Paul, an enthusiastic painter for ten years, "and as one of the artists you get the kind of feedback you would never receive from an ordinary exhibition" .
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.
"Although I have been a potter for many years I still find inspiration for
new works right on my door step. Living on the edge of the Fens is great, 10
minutes walk and I am in another world" she said. Lorraine will be opening
the studio doors at Meadow View, 24 Lower End, Swaffham Prior on the three
weekends of 3/4th, 10th/11th and 24/25th of July and will also be showing a
selection of drawings, prints and cards. Paul paints mostly landscapes with
oils, and although recent inspiration has come mainly from the local rural
landscape, there are still some beaches, huts and seascapes in the mix. Colours
are applied thickly and taken from a vivid palette, mostly raw from the tube
giving his paintings a vibrant and optimistic quality. Paul will be opening his
studio on the weekends of 3rd/4th, the 10th/11th and the 17/18th 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 and from participating artists. Full details are also available on Cambridge Open Studios' brand new 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.