Bembridge artist, Charlotte Hodge Thomas joins a long list of artists taking part in the Islandwide < Open Studios event coming up at the end of the month.
Charlotte’s vibrant acrylic paintings marry sweeping backgrounds of intense colour with finely observed detail.
Her subjects feature beach scenes, dramatic skies and land/sea-marks such as local harbour buoys and the Lifeboat station.
This will be fifth year Charlotte has transformed her living space into a gallery.
She says, “My actual studio is a very small, unglamorous ‘shack’ attached to the side of the house – so for one weekend a year I strip my lounge of furnishings to display my work. For me, The Open Studios are the most important event on the I.O.W’s artistic calendar and the highlight of the year in terms of exhibiting my work.
“The event is special because at no other time do people get to view so much local, creative talent and to meet and talk to the artists in person, in their own surroundings. Artists also benefit from contact with the viewing public and from any feedback they may offer.”
She continues: “I really enjoy watching peoples’ response to my work and find that quite often they have stumbled across the Open Studios by accident. They are sometimes surprised and delighted by the ‘Aladdin’s cave’ of quality artwork they find in the homes/studios of the artists involved. “I would encourage people to support the Island’s thriving art community and to visit as many artists as possible during the Open Studios event. Please do not hesitate to walk into an exhibitor’s studio or home for fear of invading their space – we want you to come in and have a look! The array of work displayed from studio to studio promises to be exciting, always diverse and hopefully a worthwhile, enriching experience. There is no obligation to buy anything – although you might just find something really unique you’ll want to take home with you.”
Anybody interested in visiting some of the Open Studios will need to equip themselves with a free copy of The Isle of Wight Arts Directory 2009/10 – which gives full details of the exhibiting artists, where to find their studios and opening times, etc. You can pick up a copy of the directory from libraries, tourist information centres, the Quay Arts Centre and some local restaurants, shops and businesses.
Charlotte Hodge Thomas welcomes visitors to her Open Studio exhibition at 24 Walls Road, Bembridge:
Fri 24 July”¦ 10am – 5pm, 6 – 8pm Opening reception Visit Charlotte Hodge Thomas‘ Website for more information.
Click on the images to full size
Between 24th-27th July, she will be opening her doors to members of the public interested in taking a look at her work.
Sat 25 July”¦ 10am – 5pm
Sun 26 July”¦ 10am – 5pm
Mon 27 July”¦10am – 5pm
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