Promising the perfect opportunity to pick up a unique gift, Surrey Artists Open Studios’ Art for Christmas event takes place over three weekends this month. Here we meet just a few of the artists taking part
Joe Szabo
What: Glass
Where: The Bungalow, Reigate Road, Buckland RH2 9RE (tel: 07929 794011)
When: 10am-4pm; Friday November 29 to Sunday December 1, Friday December 6 to Sunday December 8 and Friday December 13 to Sunday December 15
The low-down: Here, you will find contemporary glass art, including angels, mirrors, sun-catchers, wall art and sculptures, displayed in the artist’s studio and garden. Perfect for the person who has everything!
Inspiration: “I am lucky to be renting a studio in a marvellous garden in Buckland, which helps me clear my mind and inspires me to create. Another source of inspiration for me is the sea, especially where the water runs into land.”
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Faye Mayo
What: Ceramics, figurative ceramics and vessels
Where: The Studio, 2 The Heath, Chaldon Caterham, CR3 5DG (tel: 01883 332893)
When: 10am-4pm; Friday December 6, Saturday December 7 and Friday December 13
The low-down: Having done a BA hons degree in ceramics and textiles at Goldsmiths University, Faye now specialises in making fragile looking ceramic vessels and sculptures using vivid blue glazes and soft hues. She creates many small pieces, which would be ideal for gifts, as well as larger figurative work.
Inspiration: “Our human form and emotion, fragility and transience all inspire me – as does the possibility of experiencing a connection to the eternal.”
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Terri Smart
What: Ceramics, photography and textile art
Where: East Clandon Village Hall, The Street, East Clandon GU4 7RY (tel: 01483 222710)
When: 10am-4pm; Friday November 29 to Sunday December 1
The low-down: Readers are encouraged to ‘go crackers’ this Christmas at East Clandon Village Hall where Terri’s quirky ceramics, unusual photography and unique take on textile art will all be on display for one weekend.
Inspiration: “I am influenced by natural elements such as wind and water and I like to emphasise the contrasts between nature and man – for example, in my boat pieces where the size of the boat indicates just how puny we are compared to the vastness of the sea. I work from my studio at home in East Clandon, with views over the garden and surrounding fields, which are a constant source of inspiration for my seedpod forms among other things and of course any birds that happen to visit.”
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Ingrid Skoglund
What: Watercolour paintings
Where: The Conservatory, Springfield Manor Nursing Home, Hogs Back, Puttenham, Guildford, GU3 1AQ (tel: 07712 938300)
When: 10am-4pm; Friday December 6 to Sunday December 8
The low-down: Ingrid will be teaming up with Vivien Raine, a fellow watercolour artist, to showcase their paintings of “flowers, animals, landscapes and the wild and the wacky” in the conservatory of Springfield Manor.
Inspiration: “I love trying to push the limits of watercolour to add excitement to a landscape. I’ve been working on some Tilford scenes recently – Surrey really is the best for stunning views.”
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Nicky Chubb
What: Paintings/collage
Where: 40 Eight Acres, Hindhead GU26 6RZ (tel: 01428 606624 / 07519 389856)
When: 10am-4pm; Friday November 29 to Sunday December 1, Friday December 6 to Sunday December 8, Saturday December 14 and Sunday December 15
The low-down: Look forward to “vibrant floral landscapes in acrylic on canvas inspired by dancing wildflowers and colourful gardens and influenced by old textiles”. Nicky will also be displaying collages, drawings, life drawings, prints and cards and a small range of her own textiles, including printed cushions.
Inspiration: “The stunning countryside around Hindhead, and the sudden moment of joy that a burst of wildflowers brings.”
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Adam Aaronson
What: Glass
Where: Adam Aaronson Glass, Foxbury Barn, Epsom Road, West Horsley KT24 6AR (tel: 01483 375035)
When: 10am-4pm; Friday November 29 to Sunday December 1, Friday December 6 to Sunday December 8 and Friday December 13 to Sunday December 15
The low-down: One of the UK’s leading glass artists, Adam will be showcasing a wide selection of his work from large-scale one-off vessels to a plethora of smaller pieces that would make original, hand-made presents. These include Christmas baubles, tumblers, scent bottles, vases, bowls and paperweights.
Inspiration: “Living and working in Surrey, I find constant inspiration from the beauty of the Surrey Hills landscape. I am fascinated by horizons and reflected light, particularly the play of light on water, and I find glass is the ideal medium to express these themes.”
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Grainne Rocher
What: Paintings
Where: The Vintage Art Studio, 7 Kingfield Parade, Kingfield, Woking GU22 9EH (tel: 07968 629899)
When: 10am-4pm; Saturday November 30, Sunday December 1, Saturday December 7, Saturday December 14 and Sunday December 15
The low-down: An art teacher at St Andrew’s Prep School in Woking, Grainne is the proprietor of The Vintage Art Studio in Woking where she also teaches. She paints a variety of subject matter, from architectural and busy street scenes to seascapes and abstract landscapes.
Inspiration: “My work is inspired by nostalgia – things and places that hold my memories.”
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Linda Banks
What: Stained glass
Where: 17 Holyoake Crescent, Horsell, Woking GU21 4PN (tel: 07974 189219)
When: 10am-4pm. Friday December 6, Saturday December 7 and Sunday December 8
The low-down: A glass artist showcasing unique items for the home and gifts for Christmas in beautiful coloured glass. Possible presents include lamps and light shades, mirrors, coasters, desk sets, jewellery, light catchers, plant terrariums and festive candleholders. There will also be a chance to see how traditional leaded windows and copper foil lamps are made.
Inspiration: “I am inspired by the ethos and style of the Arts and Crafts Movement, art deco and art nouveau, as well as the East and nature.”
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Sue Roche
What: Photography
Where: The Art Shed at The Medicine Garden, Downside Road, Cobham KT11 3LU (tel: 07910 642199)
When: 10am to 5pm (10am to 4pm on Sunday); Friday November 29 to Sunday December 15
The low-down: Striking photographs printed directly onto aluminium create stunning contemporary artworks. Alternative views of cities such as London, Venice, New York and Havana, in addition to quirky landscapes and seascapes, will be on display.
Inspiration: “When I see amazing light intensifying the colours and patterns of somewhere new, I want to capture and share what I have seen. Here in Surrey, the changing light in the Surrey Hills constantly inspires me.”
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Need to know:
Back for a second year, Surrey Artists Open Studios’ Art for Christmas runs over three long weekends from Friday November 29 to Sunday December 15.
This festive event offers an exciting opportunity to meet artists and makers in and around Surrey, to hear first-hand about their practice and admire their work.
Art for Christmas is also an ideal opportunity to find unique gifts for someone special and to find something beautiful to decorate your home and deck your halls with arts of Surrey!
For information on all the studios taking part, and details of the special workshops taking place, pick up a leaflet from Guildford Tourist Information, Surrey Arts Venues and Surrey Libraries, or otherwise visit the website at surreyopenstudios.org.uk.
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