Wiltshire artist opens studio and garden this weekend

LAST week we visited two ‘newcomers’ to the Open Studios scheme, which kicked off at the weekend and runs to May 29.

At the other end of the scale, this week we feature ‘veteran’ participant Susan Kirkman, a physicist turned printmaker out in the Wiltshire countryside near Ramsbury.

On retirement, Susan began a new career as an artist and attended many painting and printing courses, notably those from acclaimed artist, teacher and former head of art at Marlborough College Robin Child and printmaker Steve Hoskin.

Her previous work as a scientist in the NHS may explain why she loves to experiment widely with media, style, subject-matter and technique.

She hopes “never to fall into the trap of becoming the sort of artist who, having found a winning formula, repeats it indefinitely”.

She will be showing not only paintings but also artist’s original prints – that is etchings, screen prints, monoprints etc made from plates she has prepared and printed herself, as opposed to commercial copies of paintings, a distinction that is not always understood .

Her love of colour and design can also be seen in the fabulous large garden that she has developed over the years, which visitors are welcome to explore.

Her studio will be open for four weekends in May for West Berkshire and North Hampshire OS, and in July for Marlborough OS.

OPEN: May 13-14, 20-21, 27-29, 11am to 5pm and 6pm to 8pm.

For full details visit the website www.open-studios.org.uk

The OPEN Studios Companion is available from the Corn Exchange, Newbury and other arts centres and venues throughout our region.