 | | Artists - Sue, Debbie, & Jackie |
If you'd always imaged that walking into an artist's studio would somehow be an intimidating experience, the offer of a hot cup of tea says something about the relaxed and friendly atmosphere of one of the north's biggest arts events. The Open Studios project has been running since the year 2000 and this year 100 studios around the county have been open to the public. Potters, sculptors, weavers and painters from Saltburn-by-the Sea in the north to Selby in the south and from Settle in the west to Scarborough in the east have been showing their work in the setting where the work was made.  | | Debbie Loane Artist & Lund Gallery owner |
Debbie Loane of the Lund Gallery near Easingwold says, “It was fantastic for me both as an artist and a gallery owner. Of the seven artists showing in the gallery everyone has sold something and it's raised their profile. We've had hundreds of people through the gallery”. Sue Slack who is based in the lovely village of Lockton near Pickering says she “likes to paint and draw outside wherever possible in order to capture the rawness of the landscape”. Her paintings show everything from wonderful, impressionistic views of the Dales to brilliantly-coloured images of the beach huts at Whitby. “In reality the beach huts face the other way” says Sue, “but for the painting I've turned them round because they just look better that way”.  | | Sue Slack - Artist from Lockton |
Sue's work was on display in her studio which has spectacular views across the surrounding countryside. It's a room that doubles-up as her office and a cosy place to sleep when family and friends come to stay and take-over the main house! In fact Sue had so much work to display that a number of paintings were on show in her dining-room. Jackie Stonehouse was showing her work in The Pottery at High Marishes near Malton. As well as training as a potter Jackie paints landscapes and figures which “reflect their shapes and rhythms”. Jackie uses strong colours and interesting textures to express the feeling of her subject.  | | Jackie Stonehouse |
Open Studios is co-ordinated by Arts Connections based in Gargrave. They produce a fantastic brochure which not only tells you something about each of the artists involved but also includes simple road maps which help you plan your weekend as you go from studio to studio. JonathanThis year a lack of planning on my part meant that I didn't get to visit nearly as many studios as I had hoped – next year things will be different. “...now is that one lump or two? - And can I get you a biscuit?” | 
