Open studios and art auction

Henley Arts Trail

I take part in one Open studio event every year, as part of the Henley Arts Trail, which takes place over three days during the first bank holiday weekend in May. It is the one time per year where my studio doors are open to the public, there is always a selection of new paintings, work in progress, as well as prints and cards. Visitors are welcome to browse and buy or discuss commissions or specific requirements.

This year is proving to be a bit tricky, our house is undergoing a major building renovation. My studio at the back is not accessible because of the current building work. The plan was to have it watertight and suitable for an open studio with a difference. It was going to be housed in a space with a slightly industrial feel, consisting of the newly built shell.
As it turns out, Open studio 2016 will be in an industrial setting, but with the house built a bit behind schedule, one of the two remaining rooms in the house will be turned into a space to house new work. So, with the house being a building site, I am using one room that will be filled with fresh new colourful work.

So,  I would like to welcome visitors from Berkshire and beyond over the coming weekend,between 11am and 6pm and apologise in advance. Open studios 2017 should be back to normal.

Retro mug 40x50cm (16x20) acrylic in canvas. Available.

Pink room 40x50cm 16x20" acrylic on canvas.

Summer storm 70c70cm (30x30") acrylic on linen. Available.

Sight is priceless

Along with my open studio event, I am once again auctioning an original painting for a wonderful sight restoring. £2 buys a virtual raffle ticket via Justgiving No limit on individual raffle tickets bought. 100% of the proceeds go to Sightsavers. The winner of the painting will be drawn once the target amount has been reached. The raffle is open worldwide and the painting will be shipped at no cost to the winner regardless of location.

Bright morning 12x12" (30x30cm) acrylic on canvas. 

A busy start to 2016.

This year has had a busy start. 

Creative Leap: 

A new online month long course started on 1 February. 

An alternative mini projects based program linked to the alphabet where letters are used as the inspiration for a wide range of subjects. Creative leap developed from mini projects and exercises I've used in different workshops to stimulate creativity. The course is mainly drawing focussed and the daily mini projects and It is suitable for all levels of art experience and disciplines.

Have a look at these time lapse videos to get an idea of the process. 

I really enjoyed putting this course itogether and seeing the creativity flow from reaction to the prompts was a thrill.

Based on the positive responses I will be offering another course in June.

Art Fairs:

A large body of work, mainly still life and floral paintings were created for the Affordable art fairs In February and March I was represented by Will's Art.at AAF Brussels and AAF Battersea. 

Artist of the year contest:

In February Summer's Eve was exhibited at the  Mall galleries along with 49 other paintings shortlisted for the Artist and Illustrator magazine's artist of the year contest. I was awarded the Great Art prize of £500's worth of art materials, what a treat!

Upcoming events:

On 23-24 April I will be artist in residence at the Reading Contemporary art fair an interactive art project linked to Queen Elizabeth's 90th birthday, consisting of 90 individual star shapes will be created by visitors. 

Open Studios:

In April it is time for the Henley arts trail again. This annual open studio event is the only one I participate in, and it offers a rare chance to see work in progress as well as buy directly from the studio or discuss commissioning pieces. 30 April to 2 May.

Periscope a social media platform that I enjoy doing live demos or painting sessions on. If you would like to receive notification of these broadcasts, download the app, my tag is #estemacleod

Follow my Facebook art page and Instagram for regular updates, news on events and giveaways.