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.

 

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


Ready for the Open Studio first weekend.

Ready for the Open Studio first weekend.

 

up and running …

Here I am at last, captured in the lovely ‘new’ studio …

and ready for action.

It now has a good run of worktops and cupboards, some cracking drawer units from ikea (ideal for paper and prints) and a nice little space for a chair and my books where I can enjoy a brew.

We got the press up here today, since these were taken, so I can get practising on my collagraphs soon, hopefully!

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© Paul Campbell

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© Paul Campbell

Hayloft studio

© Paul Campbell

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You can see where we’ve covered up the interesting roof with dust sheets in an attempt to prevent any bits dropping from the roof space. It also helps the space to heat up a bit (via a calor gas heater).

It’s all a bit clean and uncluttered just now … but that won’t last long!

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© Paul Campbell

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Hayloft studio

© Paul Campbell

All the images in
this post courtesy
(and copyright) of
Paul Campbell.

studio space & swallows …

it looks like I’ve got a studio at last! having spent 3 years trying to find an accessible good-sized studio close to home (at present I’m working out of our tiny utility room, 6ft x 9ft).

I can’t wait to get using this space… it used to be a hayloft above stables and is built from typical Norfolk flint and brick. Apparently swallows flit in and out in the summer, there are nests… but not in the studio area, so no bird poo where ill be working, thankfully.

It needs a lot of work but fortunately I know a ‘man who can’, we’ll I’m married to him, lucky me ;0)

I’ll be posting updates on our progress…

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