Vidya Wolton

Open Studios - Jubilee Stores

The past two weekends have seen Open Studios taking place here on the Isle of Wight. I was able to cover a bit of ground and here at the Jubilee Stores caught up with artist Lisa Traxler in her new studio space, after what had been a hectic weekend of visitors. Lisa is just coming to the end of a studio residency at Artspace in Portsmouth and will be getting to grips with the dedicated space at the Jubilee Stores in Newport to continue her journey through photography, stitch and mixed media which have formed an important part of recent work.

Every artist I visited had interpreted the brief for Open Studios slightly differently. Some were particularly geared up for sales or for showing the latest work and what was really important for me was the conversations had as ideas were exchanged and a greater understanding of the work achieved. I look forward to next year’s event and may actually put myself on the trail for it, having been conspicuous by my absence for the past couple of years!

It was with some foreboding that I set off to the Jubilee Stores (in conjunction with Quay Arts) this morning, having enrolled for a whole week of jewellery making and most definitely moving outside my comfort zone. The relatively minute scale we are working on is such that I can’t quite see what I am doing at times (having developed long-sightedness with age). We were, however in the capable hands of Sophie Honeybourne, an experienced jewellery maker who very patiently helped me in spite of failing eyesight (must remember glasses tomorrow!). I actually think that working in a different medium, with different tools and as a class activity will be quite good for me and may actually inject my own practice with something new. I already have a little seagull motif which has emerged unexpectedly and takes me back to my numerous trips along East Cowes seafront with the many squawking Black-headed Gulls. Lets see where this all leads. Setting stones tomorrow. Watch this space for the breaking news. By the way, the course is entitled ‘Working with Amber’.