I was absolutely delighted to be included in this years Marlborough Open Studios trail.
I’ve always really enjoyed visiting different artists studios each July and getting a sneak peek into their process. The Open Studios trail has artists opening their doors all over Marlborough and the surrounding villages, from the Pewsey Vale to Devizes. This was my first year as an exhibitor and I had a wonderful time in July welcoming visitors and chatting about my current illustration projects and commissions.
It was a little daunting as I prepared for the exhibition, between covid lockdowns and then a year on adoption leave I’d not done any in person events for quite some time. I decided to hold my exhibition at the beautiful St Peter’s Church on Marlborough High Street. The church were lovely about me turning the space into a makeshift studio and exhibition space. I lived opposite the church for much of my childhood but I learnt so much about the history of the building during my weekends there and chatting to the very knowledgable guides. I had ample opportunity to sketch the amazing characters in the beautiful stained glass windows in between visitors.
It felt exciting to print out work ready for framing as so much of what I’d been working on had been edited into its final form digitally and there is something really lovely about holding the work in your hands.
As part of my exhibition I also offered the opportunity for visitors to pose for a live illustrated portrait for a donation to the church. It was really fun to have an interactive element to the exhibition and it was lovely illustrating some of my visitors, and other people were able to observe me at work. It’s tricky chatting to your subject, putting them at ease and quickly capturing a likeness and sense of them on paper all in such a short time, but I was so pleased visitors liked the work.
It was really lovely after all the instagram algorithm changes to hear visitors reactions to my work, it was so valuable getting feedback and seeing what resonated with people. I’ve recently been painting more portfolio work, pieces based on small family moments and memories, both from my journey as an adoptive mum and from my own childhood. I was a little worried that the pieces might be too niche, but it was lovely to hear that people saw their own children and grandchildren in the pieces.
for more information on visiting St Peter’s Church and their historical, art and music events
https://stpetersmarlborough.org.uk/
Keep up to date with MOS plans for next Summer’s trail here
https://www.marlboroughopenstudios.co.uk/
MOS is currently looking for more associate artists so anyone keen to exhibit in July 2023 has until 1st November to apply.
https://www.marlboroughopenstudios.co.uk/call-for-artists/call-for-artists