Sunday, August 12, 2012

Open Studio preparations

There are only four more weekends until the month-long celebration of artists and their studios begins here in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

Most of us are getting our studios tidied and cleaned, making sure we have lots of interesting pieces around for people to look at and buy, and also working out what activities we'll be doing when people drop by.


For me that is one of the really fun parts of opening our studio - letting people in to watch what we do and how we do it. It's always fabulous to be able to hear an artist talk about their work, what it means to them and the like, but it is even better to watch somebody at play (or work) I think!


As part of the lead-up to the studios being opened, all the participating artists are contributing works to an exhibition at Main Street Gallery in Montville.  The exhibition is open from next Wednesday 15 August until 29 August.  The official champagne opening is on Friday 17 August from 4pm - 6pm. It is a really great opportunity to see work from each of the artists in one place.

I'll be sending along one of my favourites - Learning my Lines...






28 comments:

  1. Looks like you are well on your way to being ready. We will be inour way to Vanuatu on the dayof the opening but I will be sure come and visit you no one of your open days :-)

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    1. As I get frenetic with talking and doing and selling...I'll think of you winging your way to an island retreat! Enjoy!

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  2. I really enjoy the creative buzz on your blog when you are preparing for open studio.

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    1. Thanks Robyn, there is certainly a buzz of activity around the place - including tidying up the block!

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  3. have fun with your open day(s) - your studio is HUGE!!!

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  4. I am impressed by your studio too. Lots of lovely space to play in. I wish I could visit and see your work up close. That would be a treat! Maybe next year :)

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    1. Hi Ersi - how great it would be if you could visit! Yes I am fortunate in my space - but I think I could still expand to more. Laugh. Go well.

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  5. Thanks Ronnie - well the shed is where we lived for a year or so before we built the house, so it is bigger than your average shed I guess. And it has a shower and a toilet and a kitchen! We love it very much.

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  6. As soon as I read that phrase - the 'Sunshine Coast hinterland' I just wished I was within striking distance of being able to see your studios and work up close but it just cannot be! I shall console myself with these gorgeous photos and look forward to reading about the event as it unfolds.

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    1. Hi Lesley - that is the way we describe where we live. The coastal area below us is the Sunshine Coast (below Brisbane is the Gold Coast). And because we are up in the mountains, we're the hinterland! I shall continue to update you on the days and the dramas - at least we get to share in each other's worlds vicariously in a way, if not in person. Maybe one day...

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  7. I'd surely pop in if I weren't an ocean away! "Learning my Lines" is beautiful!

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    1. Yes Valerianna - the old ocean can be a bit of a deterrent hey? It would be nice to do a world-trip one day popping in to visit everybody from blog-land!

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  8. Hearing more about the open studios makes me want to do that here....wonder how successful it would be....something to think about. Of course, I'd love to be there for the Open Studios exhibition and visits!! I'm sure it will be great fun, Fiona!

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    1. Hi Patti - it is a wonderful thing to do, but like all voluntary-coordianted activities has its moments, and fundraising is clearly one of them. But it's a great experience. Perhaps you could start small - with 4 or 5 one weekend?

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  9. Beautiful studio, great artists' works; what a treat to your visitors!!!

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    1. Thanks Anna - we hope the visitors enjoy their time. I do love my studio I must say. It used to be our home...

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  10. How wonderful and what a great experience it will be…have you done this before?
    I think this is exactly the sort of thing I could enjoy doing too right now.
    I wish I could pop by and see you :)

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    1. Hi Suzie - it's such a shame that so many of us are so far away isn't it? It is quite an energising and draining thing at the same time. I get a buzz from it all, but can be quite tired with all the talking (you know us solitary artist types...).

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  11. Oh how great it would be to visit the open studio. So much fun. Love that book with the steel binders.

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    1. Thanks Suzie - I'm sure you'd love to visit the studios and see what Barry gets up to as well!

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  12. like i don't wish i could be nearer to you on a regular day -
    this is almost painful!
    i think i first came upon barry's blog around the time of an open studio a number of years back... now i understand what it is all about... your collages are wonderful!
    and i love what you are contributing...
    i have let the universe know in the past... but i put an urgent notice on the request just now!

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    1. Hi MJ - well wouldn't it be wonderful!?!? I am sure you would enjoy hanging out here during open studios - it is a real buzz and such fun to watch folk and listen to their ideas and thoughts and interests. You never know how the universe might work...Thanks so much, and go well.

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  13. What a fantastic huge studio you have Fiona. Have a great time on the open days.

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    1. Thanks Helen - it used to be our house, so I am taking up a fair bit of space hey! You are most welcome to visit if you get the chance at all...we are closed on 29 & 30 Sep as my brother is getting married, but other than that, feel free.

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    1. Oh yes Dinah - I do love a bit of red spotting! Thank you.

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  15. So nice that now I really know what it all looks like and this is a lovely reminder.

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    1. Hi Penny - in fact you have stood just outside that main photo and wandered thru it as well. Wonderful!

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I appreciate your thoughts and comments; thanks for taking the time.