Summer Came Back

Well, possibly an exaggeration to say summer's back but it stopped raining and it was warm enough so the last two days have been spent having fun painting silk scarves in the garden.

I get my silk very wet before starting as I love the unpredictability of the shapes and patterns which I don't fully see until the silk dries. So I paint in an abstract manner and concentrate mainly on the colours. Sometimes I use gutta but, because I like to use so much water, the gutta doesn't completely resist the dye. This creates a fantastic dragging effect along the gutta with more of an appearance of texture and depth. The scarves looked gorgeous with the sun behind them but my phone didn't like taking pictures into the sun so I just did my best (with the oh so glamorous pegs keeping the scarves fairly straight).

And, while waiting for each scarf to dry, I started bottling up my flavoured vodkas and gins ready for the private view. I love the intensity of the colours in the sunshine.

Summer sunshine

After days of interminable rain during which I've been trying and failing to get some silk scarves painted outside, I decided to mount some of the photos I've taken this summer. It's great to be reminded of just how good the summer was, even if it wasn't always completely reliable. For the first time in four years, we managed to visit Groombridge Place without getting wet and were rewarded by peacocks sunbathing. (I actually have a phobia of birds so it's always good to take pictures of them without the camera shaking!)

Our trip to Scotney Castle started damp but ended with lots of sunshine and reflections of blue skies in the lake.

As ever, our first night in Newquay had the most gorgeous sunset to be followed by pouring rain the next day. After much perseverance, I finally managed to get a photo of a surfer standing up but he is completely outclassed by the colours of the sky.

Helen Chong

I've known Helen for years now and asked her to join the Open House last Christmas as I love the gorgeous handcrafts she produces in her limited hours between being a psychology teacher and looking after her children. Utilising her knowledge of children and psychology, Helen created the Worry Bean, a small creature that works on the same principle as Guatemalan worry people. Children tell their problems to the Worry Bean; vocalisation of the anxiety diminishes it.

More recently, Helen has been sourcing vintage charms and creating beautiful jewellery with them. Her necklaces proved very popular at the May Open House. Each item is unique and they are very reasonably priced so perfect as gifts. Many of the charms are sterling silver; the necklace in the bottom picture features a vermeil gold heart charm.

Alexis Rayner

Alexis has been showing at my Open House for a couple of years now. Her work is largely a mixture of art and crafts and she also has some gorgeous cards. She has used decoupage to produce some beautiful bowls, picture frames and mirrors and her paintings use a variety of different media to produce some stunning effects and textures.

Below are some examples of her decoupage and some of her new artworks which I'm looking forward to seeing at the Open House. I love the swirls of the round painting; it reminds me of seaweed snaking round a rock pool on a stormy winter's day.

Mark Charlton

Mark Charlton joined my Open House in May and I'm pleased to say he's going to be back again at Christmas.

Mark has worked as a freelance animator primarily in the music industry for many years but more recently has been developing his own mixed media work, using a combination of screen print, painting and collage. The multiple layers give a great sense of depth and texture. His work is abstract with an urban feel, often taking inspiration from 50s and 60s science fiction novellas.

Please visit his website http://www.markcharltonart.com for more examples of his work.

Kitty In the City

At every Open House, we provide refreshments for free but request a donation to charity. My eldest daughter also makes a variety of items, including toys, bags, bookmarks and earrings, which are sold to raise money for her chosen charity, Kitty in the City.

Kitty in the City is a local charity run entirely by volunteers to rescue and care for unwanted cats in Brighton. The cats are placed in foster homes to await adoption until a suitable permanent home is found for them. Kitty in the City provides the food, veterinary care and loving care until each cat is adopted. None are put to sleep simply because it may be difficult to find permanent homes for them.

This is a charity that is very close to our hearts. Many previous visitors will remember our grey cat who used to sit on the sofa throughout the Open House, happily being admired by all comers. Sadly, Issey died last year aged 15 but we still have three beautiful cats who you may meet fleetingly at the Open House.

If you would like to support the fantastic work this charity does, their website is http://www.kittyinthecity.org.uk.

Ruth Mullan

Ruth originally trained as a graphic designer but, after an evening course in stained glass under the tutelage of Keith Nickels, began working with stained glass. Ruth often works on commission, creating both leaded glass hanging pieces and panels for installation in doors and windows, and has also experimented with fused glass. Her use of colour and texture within her work produces stunning results.

Alongside the leaded work, Ruth also has some smaller copper foil pieces. Last Christmas, her hanging birds and ballet shoes proved very popular sellers.

Some examples of her work are below; for more, please visit her website http://ruthmullan.co.uk.