The natural world (27th September) — is all around us. Artists’ responses could be realistic depictions of life/nature or abstract expressions of our world and their feelings about it. And perhaps in some cases natural forms are a starting point for Playing with pattern (see the 19th).
Browse the galleries below, or perhaps view today's flipbook.
Or, follow these links to explore all 30 Art Trails or start from Open Studios central
After studying architecture at university, I began to focus on painting.
I enjoy creating loose, expressive landscapes with a palette knife, which give my work a lot of texture. The inspiration for my work is taken from the beautiful scenery around my home and from my walks in the forest.
Nature, colour, texture, light and story-telling all lend themselves as themes for my photography and woven tapestries; imagery to draw the viewer in.
I am a textile artist specializing in woven tapestry. I trained at Central St Martins in London and initially worked in Theatre Design and costume, but for the last thirty years I've been weaving and spinning, and occasional yarn dyeing. My focus for the last twenty years has been on Tapestry as I found it to be such as expressive medium.
I also use a lot of photography to help form my ideas for weaving including macro images that help to suggest textures and abstracts that lend themselves to symbolism. From there I will often do further sketching and painting, or manipulation of the imagery in Photoshop.
Recently I have also found myself weaving imagery relating to social or environmental concerns as I also see tapestry as a means of story-telling and communication.
I am currently a member of the British Tapestry Association, including being on their committee. I am also a member of the Herts Textile Arts group and the National Association of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers.
I give talks and demonstrations to various groups and schools. If you are interesting in a site-specific commission please contact me for further details.
Terry's sculpture has been heavily influenced by materials. Recently, photography has sometimes become a major element in her finished work.
Terry has worked with a group of fellow Hertfordshire graduates since completing a fine art degree course in the 1990's, and has been involved in setting up and administrative work for various visual arts events and organisations in the county.
Her sculpture has been heavily influenced by a mix of materials for standing, plinth and wall based work. However, a move to a more urban environment and less space has had a strong influence on her choice of subject matter and ways of working.
Recently, photography, which has always been a useful tool for exploring her subject matter, has sometimes become the major element in the finished work.
Mary Ann has experimented with different styles and textures, using a palette knife in much of her work and has exhibited in Herts and London.
Mary Ann has experimented with different styles and textures and has been painting for as long as she can remember.
A self-taught artist who has, over the years attended numerous workshops, some by eminent artists themselves, . She has been a contestant in the 2016 Sky Landscape Artist of the Year competition.
She says she is "travelling on an artistic journey that continues on a never ending roller coaster of discovery."
"I am excited by the magic of paint and never cease to be amazed at the level of complexity and versatility just one brushstroke can achieve," she says.
Her home country, the UK, has been inspirational in her artistic development. Recently the red earth of Australia and the azure of the sea have been feeding her endless curiosity for subject matter to put to canvas. Mary Ann has featured in several local art exhibitions on the outskirts of London. Currently, Mary Ann has been experimenting with thick layers of paint laid on with a palette knife, using bold, bright colours, depicting a series of scenes showing everyday people at play or at work, on the beach or among their friends, catching them momentarily in a scene as if through candid camera.
Mary Ann continues to paint with both brush and palette knife. She has also allowed her long-standing fascination with the sea to come through her work, developing a series of colourful coastal scenes, reflecting her fascination with wind-lashed islands such as Hawaii and Fiji, where the sun sets in a bright red-gold glow and the palm trees sway in the tropical breeze. You can almost feel the breeze brushing your face as you take in the bright exotic colours, following humbly in the giant footsteps of the trail left by the likes of Gaugin and Cezanne.
"Colour is the key to my work," she explains. "Without colour life would be a very dull place. I feel my job is to project that colour on to walls in generous, daring quantities, providing an uplifting and happy interlude for the viewer."
Jackie creates small and unique sculptures of animals and birds using the slow, therapeutic technique of needlefelting. Commissions welcome!
The versatility of working with wool really appeals to Jackie. Wool is light, strong and easy to transport, so she has the freedom to work anywhere (as long as it's not too windy)! She has a special interest in the natural world and is keen to capture the character, movement, texture and pattern of her subjects, usually working from the many drawings and paintings in her sketchbooks. Her finished pieces are sometimes embellished with scraps of fabric and threads and are usually mounted on found wood and natural objects.
Jackie's work is on show regularly in local galleries, museums and craft fairs. Her needlefelting workshops, which cater for all abilities, give her the joyful experience of sharing her skills with others. She is a member of the International Feltmakers Association.
My pots are coil-built with experimental glazes, inspired by classical forms which were used for ornamental, functional and ritual purposes.
My interest in ceramics was first aroused by the shapes and styles of ancient artifacts - humans everywhere on earth discovered, quite independently, that useful articles could be fashioned from materials dug from the ground. We inherit an enormously rich tradition from which we can draw our ideas for making objects both useful and decorative.
Coil building gives me most satisfaction and enables me to explore a wide variety of shapes to interpret in whatever way I wish. I then experiment with different ways of glazing my work, hopefully to give pleasure to others.
Inspired by a love of nature, Heather’s aim as an artist is to engage and intrigue the viewer and draw them into her work. She mindfully explores colour and light in each painting, conscious of how these elements lift the spirit and encourage connection with the subject.
The seasons, water and changing light all provide rich influences on her art. Her paintings are an emotional response to what she sees rather than a facsimile encouraging the viewer to find something different each time they look. She works chiefly in acrylics and acrylic inks which lend themselves to working quickly and expressively with a glorious array of colours.
As well as working as an artist Heather demonstrates her working process to art societies around the UK and has also taught at the JoeDaisy Studio in Reading. She regularly exhibits at Contemporary Art Fairs, The Mardleybury Gallery and various art shows.
Her paintings can be viewed on my website: www.heathermillerpaintings.com. Follow her on instagram at: heathermillerpaintings
Denise Bowser - All You Need Is Art. Decorative, modern land-sea-cityscapes & abstracts. Acrylics on canvas and prints.
I paint land/sea/cityscapes in acrylics and oils.
For me painting is like a leap into a magical and fascinating world of colours and shapes. Once I take the plunge and start painting, I may not know where my artistic voyage will take me. This is, however, what attracts and enchants me….. and keeps me longing for more.
I am based in Hertfordshire and my works are often inspired by UK landscapes as well as landscapes from South America and Asia.
I use acrylics and mixed media in my paintings. I regularly exhibit and sell my work at art galleries and art fairs. In 2018 I won the Best in Show 2D prize in an art competition at The New Maynard Gallery, Welwyn Garden City. The NHS has acquired 16 artworks from me that can be seen at various hospitals around Hertfordshire.
My pieces are not for profit. Prints: £25 Originals: between £50 and £200
I hope you enjoy looking at my work.