Media Coverage

Artists have something of an air of mystique about them. They conjure up images of paint-splattered studios, smocks, and wild mood swings. Now there's a chance to demystify the stereotype and see the creative process in action with this years South East Open Studios event.

Started in June 1997, when 60 artists from Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks got together to open their studios, it has grown steadily in scale and stature every year. This year is no exception, with more than 290 artists in Kent and Sussex throwing open their studio doors and inviting people to take a peek inside.

For anyone interested in owning a unique piece of art, this is ideal opportunity to see where it is created, and to talk to the artists and makers about it. And for anyone thinking about having something specially designed, what better opportunity to find out how to go about it and see examples of work?

But the two-week event is not just about buying. Many people visit the studios just for the experience of seeing the art – usually without Do Not Touch signs – and to talk informally to the artists who make it.

Among the 290 artists taking part is Pat Mallinson. A print maker with her own etching press which has been used for at least 150 years, Mallinson has been involved with the event since the beginning. Her etchings are produced from copper plates which she designed, worked and printed. She also does pastel work and paintings. Her studio can be found at 176 St Johns Road, Tunbridge Wells. It will be open from June 17 to 19 and 24 to 26, 11am to 6pm. For more information, call her on 01892 542375.

James Cooper has travelled extensively. He has climbed in the Himalayas, trekked by camel with the Bedouin in the Sinai Desert, swum with sharks and rays in the South Pacific. Scenes from these adventures, as well as Morocco, New Zealand, France, Holland, Hong Kong and more local locations are represented in his paintings in oil and watercolour.

His paintings are reproduced by ABC cards.

His studio at Bay Tree House, 6 Sellbourne Park, Frant is open from June 10 to 12, 16 to 19 and 24 to 26, 10am to 5pm. For details, call 01892 750985.

Sculptor Jonathan Hateley has worked mainly in TV, theatre and film. He worked for the English National Opera Company before becoming a freelance sculptor in 1992. He immediately began work at The Animated Picture Company, where, for three years, he sculpted many models for numerous animated TV commercials. He has also worked for the BBC visual effects department and many major studios and animation companies. He has also illustrated children's educational books.

Now he enjoys the freedom of sculpting just what he wants to as an outlet from the constraints of the commercial world. He has developed technical skills from working in TV and film which allow for close observation and a high degree of detail.

These are now benefiting him as he puts his own ideas into sculpture. While presently concerned with the huyman figure, portraits and wildlife, he is eager to attract commissions in various forms such as caricatures, portraits and pets.

His studio, at Honnington Farm, Vauxhall Lane, Southborough, is open on June 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26, from 11am to 6pm. For more information, see www.jonathanhateley.com or call 01732 770655.

Also taking part is staned glass artist Stoney Parsons. Parsons works to commission for peoples homes and for hospitals, schools and businesses. She also teaches courses at her studio in Eridge and near Chichester. Her studio is open on June 11 and 22 to 25 from 10am to 6pm. For more information, see www.stoneyparsons.co.uk or call 01892 750099.

Cabinet maker Timothy Constable and textile artist Christa Corner will be displaying their work at Constables studios in Seal Chart. Corners exhibits will reflect her interest in paper as means of producing richly-coloured abstract – often semi structural – and figurative wall pieces. These may be made from cotton linters pulp, silk fibres or commercially available papers. Pieces often incorporate other materials and stitching to explore their creative potential and to exploit the versatility, flexibility and textural qualities of the media used. A keen interest in the natural world, archaeological remains, rock art and the human form inspire much of her work.

Constables experience as a cabinet maker spans 42 years, having learned his craft as an apprentice with Arnold Dolmetsch, the renowned musical instrument-maker. This background is still in evident in his approach to the wide range of pieces he produces. The use of modern materials allows him a greater flexibility in design and making of pieces, but the emphasis in soundness of construction, fitness for purpose and to bring lasting pleasure to the owner.

The studios, at workshops 6 and 7, Chart Farm, Seal Chart, are open from June 10 to 26, 10am to 5pm. Call 01732 763 263 for more information.

Proceeds from the sale of work by Iris Wilcox will be divided between the Ghana Education Project and Send-a-Cow charities. Last year, an exhibition of her paintings in Tunbridge Wells raised £1,800 for the Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar School Ghana Education Project.

After a long career teaching mostly mathematics and It, Wilcox joined the Tunbridge Wells Art Society and became hooked on painting. She works in watercolour, gouache, acrylic or pastel depending on what she feels drawn to, and enjoys experimenting.

Her studio, at 17 East Cliff Road, Tunbridge Wells, is open on June 10, 12 to 15 and 24, from 11am to 6pm and June 11, 12, 25 and 26 from 11am to 8.30pm. For details, call 01892 520 408.

More details on all these artists and the many others taking part in the event can be found in the South East Open Studios brochure, available free from most libraries and tourist offices across the region, or by sending an A5 envelope with 58p stamp to: Lee Oconnor, South East Open Studios, 14 Knaves Acre, Headcorn, Kent TN27 9TJ. For more information see www.southeastopenstudios.org.uk.