Category: life

Lets face it the channel system is alive and well when it comes to the Arts. Take York Open Studios for example – you will not see gaming miniatures on display.

As the front of the brochure says – you will see fabulous art in ceramics, collage, digital, illustration, jewellery, mixed media, painting, print, photography, sculpture, textiles and wood.

Of course wargamers can claim a few of those techniques for themselves.

The work on display at open studios is fantastic. They are clearly successful in their business – as long as they keep producing. And this production need is often at loggerheads with the creative drive or passion. Imagine making a piece of art as a one off then discovering its a best seller – yet it is a subject and technique you have only passing interest in while your passion garners few followers – what to do?

May be the wargamers equivalent is finding out they enjoy painting figures for the period they least like to game…………

The channel system is extremely helpful simply because art by definition could be anything. It helps signpost what’s in store. In the same way, Gamers would probably not value sculpture or oil paintings for sale on stands at a wargames show simply because of some “miniatures” aspect – whats the point.

So its horses for courses or channels, perhaps “categories” of art might work better. The art on display at York Open Studios is mostly to be used solely through its visual impact. Whereas gaming miniatures have a visual value of course but are then primarily to be handled in a gaming situation. I am excluding “models” made for viewing – ship and aircraft models spring mind here.

I have always found a visit to Open Studios rewarding not least because you do get to see peoples work areas and even the mess they operate in – kitchen table – often the neatest simply because of necessity or a fabulous dedicated work room. One particular artist I missed this year had years of oil paint embedded in some carpetted rooms along with the fragrance of turps. Their work was fabulous for me – and thats what matters.

Thoughts this year?

With over a hundred studios open I can only offer a very few of those I have visited.

Ala Jazayeri operates from the South Bank Studios, Southlands Methodist Church, Bishopthorpe York YO23 1NX. Her oil paintings are best seen in real life as the colours and textures differ from the digital image. I enjoyed viewing her work.

Donna Maria Taylor also operates from the South Bank Studios and I really liked some of her winter landscapes. Her approach includes acrylic, watercolour, collage and inks – truly mixed media.

Peter Baker also at South Bank Studios uses wooden blocks to create installations. I thought his work was great fun.

In Franklins Yard off Fossgate YO1 9TA some fascinating artwork exploring rust and verdigris on plaster and wooden panels – demanding reflection. Alongside were screen prints advertising music bands – great colour – fun.

Pica Studios in York Centre – on Grape Lane YO1 7HU – lots of strong prints with vibrant colours – but again I opted to picture their tools and paints.

Not far away at 16 Feasegate York YO1 8SQ is Lincoln Lightfoot who has some fantastic work. In my view something both refreshing and reassuring.

Then over in holgate was

Mountain man