Media Coverage

This year there are over 300 artists and craftspeople opening their studios to the public as part of South East Open Studios (4-20 June). In the run up to this annual event I will be interviewing a number of artists about their work.

Regulars to South East Open Studios are Chris and Vikky Furse, Rib Bloomfield and Mandy Munroe who work out of the Furses’ studio in Smarden. It is always a pleasurable experience visiting this Smarden studio as the artists are always friendly and happy to talk about their work. This year I have had a sneak preview of new work and had a chance to catch up on the activities of these busy artists.

I was very impressed to hear that Vikky is now the publicity officer of the Society of Women artists as well as a council member which is no mean feat. Working in oils, acrylics and pastels she has had a busy year creating new work for a number of London exhibitions as well as new work for her open studio. These new works include spin offs from her travels to the Arctic as well work inspired by a trip to Mallorca and the festival of the devil held in a local church there.

Chris has been continuing to create new bird paintings and sketches. He has had a lifelong passion for birds and has discovered in an old diary of his mothers that at the tender age of 4 he was expecting her to read ornithological books to him. Sitting in the their kitchen I was immediately drawn to a rather fine painting of an owl by Chris.

As well as exhibiting in New York in 2008 and then in Paris last summer, Mandy has been travelling widely. She has used this opportunity to take copious photographs which she has been using as inspiration for her textiles. She uses the urban landscape as the starting point for her work which involves hand dyed fabric.

Continuing to paint and create constructed paintings, Rib, has also turned to jewellery making. Initially he made jewellery for himself, however, his work has been so popular that he is now creating individual pieces that will also generate commissions. Inspiration is drawn from ancient Greek, Roman or Etruscan jewellery which you are more likely to see in a museum than on the high street. Each piece is individual and a work of art made of silver or gold and set with semi precious stones.

Further details of Chris, Vikky, Rib and Mandy’s studio address and opening hours can be found at: www.seos-art.org or in the guide which will be available from mid-May.

Liz Garnett is also opening her studio to the public. She has sold her work worldwide and exhibited in the UK and Mainland Europe

This article was published in the Village Directory