A RTISTS welcome us in to see them at work as the Surrey Artists Open Studios summer event gets underway this week.
For two weeks from Saturday (June 8) until Sunday, June 23, 94 artists are taking part in the east and central regions of the event, which includes Reigate & Banstead, Mole Valley and Tandridge areas.
Visit studios and meet the meet artists and makers, see demonstrations, view, and, if you like, buy original artwork and take part in creative workshops.
The diverse variety of work and skills on show includes print-making, jewellery, ceramics, textiles, painting, wood-turning, sculpture, illustration and glass work.
Why not make a key holder or bird holder with Great Bookham artist Claudia Lopez? Or decorate your own raku pot and watch the firing with Abinger Bottom-based Jenny Parker?
Among the artists see Zoe Baker of Woodlands Drive, South Godstone, who is taking part in the event for the first time. She says: "I am always pencil sketching wherever I go – I then photocopy the drawing onto acetate and then use torn newspaper collage or paint underneath to create the colour. I like including the mundane small details like newspaper headings, shop fronts, road signs and sometimes overheard conversations that date the picture and that the viewer can identify with."
Redhill-based artist Julia Adams of Lonesome Lane currently has her work displayed in the famous Oxo Tower Restaurant on London's South Bank. The restaurant has taken 16 of her bold, colourful Orchid series paintings, produced using acrylic and silkscreen.
Over in Woodlands Studio in Ockley, distinctive ceramicist Jojo Rowley will be showcasing her delicate ceramic vessels created in porcelain, showing as part of a collective group of artists and makers based in a tranquil garden studio.
Christine Hopkins will again be showing her colourful mixed-media paintings of the urban landscape. She is currently showing work at the World of Glass in St Helens in Lancashire, in addition to taking part in exhibitions in London and Battle this summer.
If you want to see a large group of artists all working in very individual styles head to the ShedArt studios based in a large converted chicken barn just south of Newdigate.
Here you can see, among others, Stella Mance's colourful stylised flower paintings, Jackie Pearce's soft atmospheric oil landscapes and Diana Croft's collagraph prints and paintings inspired by the local landscape.
You can also enter a free prize draw, vote for your favourite Artist of the Year and take part the Write a Review competition.
Look out for the orange Open Studios flags at participating locations. To find out all you need to know about what studios are open, artists and the workshops and competitions, visit www.surreyopen studios.org.uk or pick up a brochure at your nearest library or arts venue.
