Each June, Surrey Artists’ Open Studios (SAOS) takes place in studios and workshops across Surrey and its borders. For 2018, more than 275 artists will show their fabulous range of work in 164 studios. Tinx Newton meets this year’s new kids on the block

Grace Ellen, Painter, Headley Down

“My paintings celebrate the diverse British landscape and feature playful yet subtle use of acrylic, ink and occasionally oil, to create pictures, which have lots to be explored. I enjoy creating compositions which put the viewer in my shoes. Live painting demonstrations will form part of my open studios, and I’ll be showing lots of new work in my garden showroom. I am part of the Golden Valley Trail with six other local artists.”

Dates open: Throughout June except Mondays and Tuesdays | 26 Stonehill Road, Headley Down, GU35 8ET; 07805 055558

Geoff Thiel, Ceramicist, East Molesey

“I make smooth-shaped, wheel-thrown pieces in porcelain and stoneware, which I decorate with slips, glazes and lustres. These are fired at up to 1,280 degrees in an electric kiln. I also produce smoke-fired Raku pieces using a gas kiln. Ceramics has been my hobby since 2004 and grew into a full time occupation in 2017 when I retired from my engineering career. My technical background has enabled me to use computer-aided design for some of the decoration and a knowledge of chemistry has helped me to make my own glazes.”

Dates open: June 2-6 and 8-10 from 11am-5pm | 27 Palace Rd, East Molesey, KT8 9DJ

Klara Smith, Papercutting, Cobham

“I trained as a landscape architect, and also studied illustration and book arts at London College of Communication. The three-dimensional aspect of book design influenced my papercut artwork. Papercut images hide a secret world. They tell their stories twofold – in their flat paper form and with their changeable shadows. This is ‘shadowmaking’. I also have an active interest in printmaking and ceramics.”

Throughout June, Mon-Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 10am–4pm | The Medicine Garden, Downside Road, Cobham, Surrey, KT11 3LU

Martin Southwood, Painter, Farnham

“My work is mostly about nature, sometimes with a feeling of oddness or the uncanny, or with elements of magic realism.

I paint the things that resonate with me, that have meaning beyond the commercial and the ‘pretty’. I’m working towards offering workshops for members of the public that aim to democratise art, and restore its place in nature and ritual.”

Dates open: June 2, 3, 8-10 and 15,16 | Stream Cottage, 4 Laurel Grove, Wrecclesham, GU10 4AU; 07903 815448

Louise Bell, Quilt maker, Burwash

“I make quilts for beds, chairs and walls in Liberty lawns, American cottons, silks and linens. I particularly enjoy working to commission to make a quilt very personal – as pleasurable to own as it is for me to make.

“I discuss ideas with customers, giving the opportunity to choose designs, patterns and fabrics, sometimes incorporating memory fabrics – snippets of children’s clothes, fragments of wedding veil, favourite ties, table and tray cloths – whatever makes the quilt personal. At Surrey Open Houses I will be working on a new commission Grandmother’s Memory Quilt.”

Dates open: June 2, 3, 9, 10 | Kent Road Studios, 38 Kent Road, East Molesey KT8 9JZ

Jessica Stroud, Stained and fused glass, Haslemere

“I make stained and fused glass artwork, ranging from small hangings and commemorative panels to larger pieces for windows and doors. I am fascinated by glass and the medium is one where my passion for art, light and colour all come together. I am inspired by nature and am lucky enough to live next to the river where I can spot passing wildlife (and cats) at any time of the day or night.

“I recently restored a pair of decorative Victorian windows for Haslemere Museum. As part of SAOS 2018, I will be offering a daily glass fusing workshop where visitors can learn how to make a quirky bird hanging.”

Dates open: June 2-3, 7-10, 14-17 | 22 Oak Tree Lane, Haslemere, GU27 1PQ

Teri Berry, Textile artist (felt-maker) and printmaker, Normandy

“I love to work with the magical and ancient craft of felt-making, turning piles of soft, fluffy wool into functional and beautiful items and homeware. From screenprinting on wool, my work has evolved to include printing on paper too. During the open studios I will be offering taster sessions in felt-making each afternoon (Wed-Sun) and demonstrating felt-making on my current project in the mornings. Please see the workshops tab on my website for more.”

Dates open: June 2, 3, 6-10 and 13-17 | Kilrush, Guildford Rd, Normandy, GU3 2DA

Juliette Derwent, Glass artist, Mytchett, Camberley

“I make fused glass ornaments to decorate the garden. Primarily hanging ornaments and in the design of flowers, leaves, butterflies, dragonflies and birds. I love creating glass in colours that blend and also beautiful coloured glass that catching real light in the outdoors.

“I’m obsessed with blue and my garden is full of shades of blue. My new piece is a plaque called Fractaala and is the first of an exciting new series.”

Dates open: June 2,3, 6 -10 and 13-17 | 69 Salisbury Grove, Mytchett, Camberley, GU16 6DA; 07702 241921

Yasmin Osborne, Oils, mixed media, Lower Bourne, Farnham

“After visiting many of SAOS’s open studios last year, I felt inspired to pick up an old paint brush and immerse myself in all things creative. The years spent working as a graphic designer has given me the opportunity to work in different mediums and styles. I’ve currently been creating landscape studies in oils inspired by the beautiful Surrey countryside.

“I’m sharing my studio this year with Sarah Allen who creates beautiful hand made textile items for the home, and we will have work in the process of being created too. We look forward to you visiting us at The Grey Shed.”

Dates open: June, 2, 3, 5, 7+ evening, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14+ evening 15, 16, 17 | 8 Middle Bourne Lane, Lower Bourne, Farnham, GU10 3ND; 07786 213253

Amanda Leader, Textiles, East Clandon

“I am inspired by the wonderful 19th century textiles of France, from the heavy rustic home woven hemp to fine linens that graced the bedrooms of the grandest châteaux. Taking these fabrics I create modern pieces which retain the organic presence of the original material. I use Japanese shibori dye resist techniques and dye with indigo or vegetable dyes.

“Every piece is unique yet performs a function. Most of my pieces are made into wall hangings, curtains, cushions, accessories and clothing.

For SAOS I am running three workshops which will explore tying, clamping, stitching and folding using shibori techniques before sliding them into my indigo vat.”

Dates open: June 2, 3, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17 | 1 Paragon Cottages, Back Lane, East Clandon, GU4 7SA; 07887 770406