an open success…

 

SOLD. Moorland light. Watercolour/ink on board. Mari French.

SOLD. Moorland light. Watercolour/ink on board. Mari French.

The first weekend of Open Studios was held in my studio in a rustic hayloft in Harpley, Norfolk, and was a great success! This is the first time I’ve actually had the studio open to the public and the interesting centuries-old building drew a lot of attention. It was really busy and I was delighted to sell four paintings as well as quite a few cards. 

It was really enjoyable chatting to the flurries of visitors – friends, neighbours, fellow artists, and other art enthusiasts, some from quite far afield – thanks to you all for making the effort, your support is greatly appreciated! 

I’d lined myself up a few magazines etc for the quiet spells… but there was hardly time to read them; and my cat Cobweb provided entertainment for both myself and visitors alike.

Visitor to Open Studio, May 2014.

Visitor to Open Studio, May 2014.

 

I was also surprised, and pleased, to see the enthusiasm many visitors had for my Cornish mining abstracts, produced on my art residency in Cornwall back in March – I’d thought they’d only be of interest in Cornwall. It was good to be proven wrong, a valuable lesson, and a boost to my confidence!

Oh, and note the great storage facility I have in the form of a large Canadian canoe (not mine, it belongs to the owner of the building).

There’s still an opportunity to visit my fascinating rustic studio – I’m open the last Norfolk Open Studios weekend 7/8 June. Follow this link for further details address and directions.

The studio cat, Cobweb.

The studio cat, Cobweb.

 

SOLD_From_Ninevah_to_Levant_Acrylic_on_board_Mari_French.JPG

SOLD. From Ninevah to Levant. Acrylic on board. Mari French.


Ready for the Open Studio first weekend.

Ready for the Open Studio first weekend.

 

in the open …

Open studio. Mari French 2014

Open studio. Mari French 2014

 

welcome to my studio, all ready for the first day of Norfolk Open Studios 2014 tomorrow. This is the first time I’ve opened up this new-ish studio of mine and I’m looking forward to sharing it with friends and visitors.

Hope they can get up the steep stairs!

I’m open for this long Bank holiday weekend and then the weekend of 7 and 8 June (the last day of Open Studios). There aren’t many others open close by, so I’m hoping that the many visitors to the popular Castle Acre Open Studio Trail 8 miles to the south, will venture my way too.

Will let you know how it goes.

Good luck to all other artists holding their own open studios at this time.

Directions for getting to my OPEN studio…
http://www.nnopenstudios.org.uk/artists/details/564

The Studio, Harpley House, Nethergate Street, Harpley, King’s Lynn PE31 6TN.

From A148 signed Harpley/Massingham. follow Nethergate Street for 1/4 mile. Park on street or at the pub. Studio is through archway, follow signs. There are steep stairs which are unsuitable for the elderly or the infirm.

Open studio. Mari French 2014

Open studio. Mari French 2014


Open studio. Mari French 2014

Open studio. Mari French 2014


Open studio. Mari French 2014

Open studio. Mari French 2014

Open studio. Mari French 2014
Open studio. Mari French 2014

sea fever

Tidal flats

Tidal flats, acrylic on board. Mari French 2014.

 … the sea has been in my blood it seems this week. An exhilarating visit to Brancaster and Titchwell beaches on the North Norfolk coast last weekend, where I also explored a creek new to me, resulted in several busy painting sessions back in my studio.

Tidal flats 2

Tidal flats 2, acrylic on board. Mari French 2014

The recent tidal surges and storms were evident in the scattered remains of some of the dunes across the tidal flats, but on the whole the stunning beaches were back to normal. The looming cloud formations betrayed the approaching change in the weather but added to the dramatic scenery.

Brancaster beach, Mari French 2014.

Brancaster beach, Mari French 2014.


Brancaster beach, Mari French 2014.

Brancaster beach, Mari French 2014.


Creek, Titchwell. Mari French 2014.

Creek, Titchwell. Mari French 2014.