Well my Open Studio event has come and gone, but before I move on to other things, I thought it might be helpful to write a bit of a summary. For myself, but also for you guys - for those of you who blinked and missed it, or those of you thinking of doing it yourself one day.

I did my first Open Studio in 2017 (you can read about it here if you like: https://kategreenart.com/blog/my-1st-cambridge-open-studio-part-one-preparation). This was my 6th one in total (not counting the ones I do at Christmas), I organised an altered version during Covid days which we called Open Windows, and displayed our art on windows for passers by, and I took a break last year as I was in the final throws of preparing for my Masters Degree final show.
The pandemic has spurred us all on to being more online savvy these days and so recently I have tried as much as possible to share my exhibition through social media and on my website - I have a larger audience for my art online than I do locally, and am keen for all my friends further afield to be able to engage as well.
The way that I do this is:
I create a Open Studios Event HUB on my website for people to easily find information
I discount my art for sale on my website as well as locally
I do a video tour each day of my exhibition weekends, sharing all the details and talking through my art and show.
I share all this on social media
Here is a link to this years Hub for you to take a look: https://kategreenart.com/open-studios-page.html and below are the video tours.

I don’t know how my event compared with others, and it’s also hard to compare with other years as the event can be affected by all sorts of things like weather, clashes with sports events, the pandemic, cost of living crisis, one year the road was cordoned off by the police due to some incident the same weekend, I know that at least one artist friend of mine had limited visitors due to road works right outside their house this year.
But on the whole I feel it was a successful thing to do. I had over 100 visitors over the 2 weekends and many of those were people I’d not met before. There were lots of conversations with other artists interested in my workshops and mentoring, others wanting to ask about my Masters Degree, and other people wanting to ask about the meaning, method or inspiration of my artwork.
I displayed art in the downstairs of my home - the living room, hallway and kitchen. I had chalks for interactive art in the garden. And this year I used my garden studio to share my art installation - this was fun for me to create and visitors seemed to really enjoy it too.
Every year I put a lot of effort into displaying the work and making the space welcoming (and sharing it online) but I have also learnt over the years to simplify and stress less. I clear less of the clutter of ‘family life’ away than I used to, instead of taking months or even weeks to prepare, I make a plan a month beforehand and then I do all the work in the last week running up to opening. I also managed this year for the first time to include my daughter and dog in the mix, which was really nice and meant it impacted family life less. Another trick I’ve learnt is to have a little relaxing creative project on the go during the exhibition - this can provide a topic for conversation, helps quiet moments feel like I’m not waisting time and means people feel free to browse without feeling watched.
Anyway here are some pictures of how things looked this year.

Sales vary, numbers of visitors vary but my favourite thing about welcoming people into my home and sharing my art is that it genuinely seems to inspire people towards their own creativity, and I get to hear from people what they think and feel about the art that I make.
So I’ll end with some of the comments that were left in my visitors book.

Instead of sharing recent work this time I decided to do a bit of a spring clean, as my storage space for art is full. So my focus for this was on pieces that were created a few years ago.
I decided to still have an art exhibition in my home and studio, despite, not being allowed to invite anyone in and I created a live video tour to share my work.

For the first time, I thought I would try running this exhibition as a secret auction, where people could pay whatever they wished, with no reserve prices (although I did reserve the right to refuse bids for any reason). I set up an auction page on my website with the 12 pieces I’d selected and another page explaining how it all worked. I showed the normal prices that these paintings sold for and details about their size etc. I even offered free shipping and gift wrapping! Each painting had a ‘place a bid’ button which took people through to a google form where they placed their bids.

Then I shared images of each painting in the auction during the week on social media and drew attention to the final day with a live art demo and chat. See above for the art I made in the demo.

I think the biggest thing I’ve learnt is that having an event to work towards, gives you something positive to focus on and to talk about! I ended up reaching SO many more people through doing this on line than I would have done doing it just locally - in fact I will make sure that I include an online element in my future events even once Covid has gone.
I will probably do an auction again at some point but not for a number of years, I feel this type of thing works best as a one off special. But I will definitely be using all the things I learnt through this experience as I look to plan what’s next.

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What adjusts and learning curves has 2020 brought for you?

Cambridge Open Studios became Cambridge Open Windows this year due to Covid. Inviting people into my world couldn't happen face to face this time, so things had to go virtual instead!
I've just finished displaying my art in my windows for the last 4 weekends of July along with 145+ other artists in the area, and it's been so good to have something positive to do! Let me show you.

It's been interesting having art in the windows every weekend, my family have been very patient living in the dark! I had to think through what would fit and how to stick. This exhibition came through the support of mainly sellotape, masking tape, Command hooks and string! And nudged me into actually cleaning my windows - which doesn't happen often!
Here's the view from the inside.

The 1st weeks questions are covered, so let me take you through the rest.

Now my art is down and my windows feel a little bare. What's next? I'm taking a year out of my MA in Fine Art due to Covid and plan to use the time to develop my art business and within my studio to develop my sketchbook practice - which I'll share with you in due course. Make sure you're subscribed to my mailing list to get my monthly newsletters so you don't miss my updates: SUBSCRIBE NOW

A lot of my art shown in my windows above is available in my current #Artistsupportpledge page ranging from £15-£200 - cushions, work on paper, paintings on canvas, prints and lots of extra goodies. Take a look by clicking HERE.

Cambridge Open Studios (COS) is sadly one of the many many things to have been cancelled this year for artists due to Corona Virus. Being the biggest event in my calendar income wise, this is really disappointing.
But it’s not just about money, it’s also a deadline to work towards creatively/professionally, and an opportunity to increase ones audience and connections.

When I heard of other artists in my artist mentoring programme doing alternative events for their Open Studios around the country, I began to ponder whether we could do something similar here in Cambridge. Some were doing online exhibitions but others were putting their art in their windows and this was something I thought could maybe work for us.

After posing the idea to the COS committee I realised that it was something that needed organising amongst the artists to avoid any cost and I set about quantifying what type of project I felt able to offer to put together.

Since my first musing (around the 2nd week of April) we’ve had 145 people sign up to join in! We’ve got a video, a website page with art gallery, we’ve got 4 maps, a poster, a social media virtual programme and I’ve actually lost count of how many magazine/newspaper articles and radio interviews I’ve done or organised!

Let me outline the plan for you:
WHAT - 4 weekends of July artists put their art in the windows of their houses, they also put their names and the website for people to find out more.
HOW - people download a local map from www.camopenstudios.co.uk/open-windows (with spots on where they can find an artists) and do an art treasure hunt, discovering the artists in their neighbourhood. We have also planned a virtual programme on social media where alongside the art in windows, artists share a bit about behind the scenes using #cosart2020.
WHY? - to invest in our communities at this challenging time, bringing colour to our streets and cheering people up. Also to inspire creativity and to help promote local artists. 

What’s really lovely is that before we’ve even started I’ve had several requests from people who are not members of Open Studios asking if they can join in as well. I love that people are feeling inspired and positive about the plan, and of course they can join in - the more the merrier! Wouldn’t it be amazing to see every window in every street filled up with colourful, cheerful art for their neighbours to enjoy?!

We now have 9 days before our first weekend, so I’ve turned my attention from organising the event to thinking about how I can actually take part myself! Creating a page to direct people to on my website and thinking about what art will fit in each window pane.
Here is my COS PAGE outlining my plans, and here is my new SHOP PAGE (art under £200) that I’ve set up to coincide with the event. To see Private View please sign up HERE to subscribe to my newsletters, open to the public from Monday 29th June.
It’s a lot less effort than the normal overhaul of the house that takes place for Cambridge Open Studios, but there’s still a fair amount to think about! Once things get underway I’ll check back with you guys and share how its going.

Here's a little video of tour of my Christmas Open Studio event, for those of you who weren't able to make it.

Cambridge Open Studios has been and gone for another year and I thought I’d share something of it for those who weren’t able to come and visit.

A little introduction for those who don’t know - Cambridge Open Studios runs for 4 weekends in July each year, across the city and surrounding area. Each weekend I choose to take part (this year it was the 2nd and 3rd w/e) I open my home and studio space to the public from 11 am - 6pm each day.

I transform the downstairs of my home (my lounge and kitchen) into an exhibition, displaying my art and art products on every wall and surface area I can find!
Then I distribute fliers, shout about it on social media and wait to see who comes.

It’s always such a privilege to see how many people pop in to take a look - this year I had 160 visitors over the 2 weekends. Whether they are just passing and see the balloons, have chosen me as part of a list of places in the area for the day or have specifically decided to come to see my work, I don’t take it lightly, when there are 300+ other artists also taking part around the city.
It’s a wonderful opportunity to share what I do with people - to show where I work, to talk about my process and to hear what people think. Here are some of the comments I heard or that I found written in my visitors book this time round.

Last weekend was my 'one night only' Christmas Open Studio and I thought I'd put together some pictures and a little video for those of you who weren't able to make it.

I like to make sure each time I exhibit that there is fresh, unseen work for people to see, some of which only got finished in the final days leading up to my event

And then I was ready. Here are some photos and the little video I took on the night – enjoy!

I've been thinking creatively about how to present my art in ways that suit every budget and fit every stocking, as this year I'm taking part in 3 Christmas events.

Some of the work this little elf has been doing is mostly screen based. Research of companies for products - the right quality, style and price etc; time spent on design tasks within Photoshop, uploading images to various websites, spending a LOT of money hoping I've bought just the right quantities, and then the exciting day it all arrives in the post, when you get to see your art on different items that you hope will make extra special, unique gifts to be treasured and enjoyed!
Then there's the photography, the advertising both locally and on social media, packaging and display design (how to turn a 5 foot table into a shop that everyone want to buy from).

I've really enjoyed developing my new products and I think they're pretty cool – if I do say so myself!

But this little elf hasn't completely stayed out of her art studio, because I've also been making some original handpainted Christmas treats: fine art baubles and Christmas tree decorations!
This news is so hot off the press that they're not actually finished yet, but....  here's a photo of my protypes created (AND SOLD!) in July. And would you like a little peek behind the scenes of the work in progress?... 
I thought so!

If you're not able to make it to one of the above Christmas events but would like to fill your Christmas stockings with some of these fine art gifts then please get in touch.

In my last post (part one) I shared about my preparations for my very first Cambridge Open Studio weekend – well it's been and gone, so it's now time to tell you all about the event it's self... how it looked, how it went and whether I'll do it again!

First we had to turn our home into a gallery space – this video makes it look a LOT easier than it was!

Tidying, cleaning, hanging, labelling…. and this was the result…

Many people were disappointed not to be able to come so I created a couple of videos

I was only able to do the 1st weekend and was concerned that all my effort would be in vein if no-one knew about my event, so I worked hard with advertising and it really paid off.
I actually felt it had been worth taking part in this years Cambridge Open Studios before the weekend even arrived due to all the exposure and contacts I made. I was on Cambridge 105 radio, in the Cambridge News and Cambridge Independent newspapers, in Cambridge Magazine (p129) & got to paint live at 2 COS promo events, not to mention social media!

I have also really enjoyed joining this community of artists, finding a new group of people who I can support and encourage in their artistic endeavours (even those who've been successfully doing this for decades need encouragement), it's been so easy and enjoyable to bless other artists.

As for my little weekend I had 161 visitors, took a good number of sales and have 40+ people to add to my mailing list. Particularly exciting were all the potential projects I've been invited to do or made contact with: from community arts, to ArtBNB, artist in residence and workshop opportunities, to performance art invitations.

INTERACTION
I loved inviting people into my home, talking about my work and hearing their feedback. I was excited to see all my work together, it was evident that I've developed my own style and voice for myself. Everyone commented on the vibrancy of my colours and the repeated use of circles!

Here are some of the wonderful comments in my visitors book:

• conveys a sense of total freedom and joy
• inspired, joyous, unique, exciting, an explosion of colour. So uplifting!

• I especially loved the happiness of each painting.
• So lovely to be able to feel the emotions and hope behind the pictures
• absolutely awesome work! Love it!! I feel so inspired – thank you!
• a very colour happy space, thank you for inspiring creativity!
  

I've certainly learnt a few things

1. I thought I was an organised person but I ran out of time (despite pulling an all nighter)! I didn't get titles on pictures until my Private View was over. I gave up on neatening the edges of my work and varnishing canvases and I only managed to mount 1 or 2 pieces rather than the 20+ I had hoped to make available for purchase
   
2. I ran out of change to give people on day one
3. I had a rota of helpers so that I could be down the garden in my studio some of the time and this was a life saver
4. Although I was terrified doing a radio interview it really helped me to get used to talking about my work. This aided me in knowing what to say to people during the weekend. In future I think I'll write myself a script as if preparing for an interview by way of getting my head round things again!
   
5. I did a Private View on the Friday night for invited guests which was a really good way of warming up to the weekend – a gentle but celebratory start.
6. It seems to make a difference having a bright colourful thumbnail in the guide book – many people mentioned that it had stood out to them. Also the fact that I had crochet as well as paintings made me a bit different and maybe stand out from the crowd
   
7. It was a lot of work for just one weekend and although it will be a challenge with child care we think that 2 weekends would be better.

YES I will DEFINATELY do it again. I'm utterly exhausted but it was such a rewarding experience!
I'm already thinking about doing a Christmas one!

This will be my first year taking part in Cambridge Open Studios and I thought you'd like to share in the experience. In part one I'll talk you through what I've done to prepare (publicity, artwork and exhibition space) and then part two will be the event it's self (how it looks, how it goes and whether I'll do it again!).

I started filling my artist page on the COS website and making plans to maximise my investment in this adventure. I was limited to only doing 1 of the 4 weekends, as my 3 daughters all have birthdays spread across July but  I decided that 1 is better than none and I'd just have to try and make the most of it.

Because I paint live regularly, I create a lot of paintings, so I have no worry about having enough work to exhibit. Infact my challenge will be working out where to display it all!  A few weeks ago I got all my pictures out and spread them around the downstairs of my house, working out a plan. This helped me to think about practicalities of lighting, hanging, furniture, the state of the windows, signage etc. I then had some decisions to make about what and how many prints to get made. I am keen to provide visitors with a good range of price options so that my work is accessible in some way to everyone. When only exhibitting for one weekend and not having done this before it's hard to know what number of prints to get made up. I have decided (rightly or wrongly) this time to provide examples of each size and to take orders rather than spending a fortune on what might not be sold.

• I have had a few pictures scanned professionally and made into limited edition giclee canvas & paper prints by PhotoArtGB, having my huge floor pieces professionally photographed by Focus 5 Photography before being printed
• The rest of my work I've photographed myself and will get some poster prints made by Plan-it Reprographics. I've also used Hello Canvas to print some of my digital art and Vista Print to make some postcards
• I've purchased the tools to have a go at learning to mount my paper pieces and aim to varnish all my canvas paintings.

I still have a lot to do to get ready and I'm sure there will be things I learn through making mistakes this time, but I'm actually really excited about taking part in my first Cambridge Open Studios!