Wednesday, August 11, 2010

An interview with Esme Wheatley


Q – Could you introduce yourself briefly to the readers?

My name is Esme Wheatley, I have lived in the area for 20 years. I am a mother of two daughters, Alexandra and Freya and I am married to Shaun.

Q - How did you become interested in art?

Since early on at school, I have always been interested in all creative areas.




Q - What inspires you most as an artist?

I am inspired by everyday objects and the desire to creative something I would love around me or my home.

Q - What is your favourite medium or media? Why?

I love working with a sewing machine and fabric. The colours and effects that can be created are endless.

Q - Could you tell us some more about your work?

My work involves creating pictures using recycled fabric with accents to enhance the design using polymer clay. I also use polymer clay to design small pieces of jewellery and accessories.

Q - How would you define your style?

Modern with a hint of vintage.



Q - What are your influences; artists from the past or present who inspire you?

My influences are not from specific artists but from everyday items and images.

Q - How do you choose the subjects of your works?

I sketch everyday items first then see if I can then recreate that with fabric or clay.

Q- How do you prepare yourself for an exhibition or a show like the Open Studios?

This is my first time at such an event and I have never shown my art before so it will be a whole new experience.

Q - Are there territories (media, subjects, etc.) you want to explore in the coming years?

I have over the years tried different mediums such us cake making and decorating, reupholstering so I am always open to new ideas.

Q - As an artist, what would be your dream?

For people to love the items I create.

Q - Could you share one thing that you have learnt in your own art practice that would be useful to other artists?

As this is all new to me, I am hoping other people will be able to share their experiences with me.



Check Esme's website to see more of her works.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

An interview with Sarah Sollom



Q – Could you introduce yourself briefly to the readers?

A former teacher of languages, then an illustrator and writer of educational materials. I have developed my art in recent years.


Sunrise shanty - Painting by Sarah Sollom


Q - How did you become interested in art?

Watching my mother painting.

Q - What inspires you most as an artist? Where do I begin?

Apart from beautiful skies, the sea, city skylines and places I visit, I love intriguing objects, dilapidated buildings, old windows and doors and resourceful people going about their daily lives.

Q - What is your favourite medium or media? Why?

I love both acrylics and collage as I can add textures, special effects and fragments of scripts.

Q - Could you tell us some more about your work?

I am constantly experimenting with different techniques and subject matter. I have painted a lot of stylised animals, mainly elongated, decorated elephants. I have also done many collages of makeshift buildings and shanty towns which have proved very popular and led to numerous commissions. I like a picture that tells a story.

Jiangsu waterside dwelling - Painting by Sarah Sollom


Q - How would you define your style?

Quirky, very diverse and I believe unique. No ‘polite’ local landscapes or vases of flowers for me!

Q - What are your influences; artists from the past or present who inspire you?

I love art that shows people and how they live (or lived in various periods of history) – not portraits or posed-for pictures but ordinary working people, as painted by some of the impressionists and many other artists of the past.

Q - How do you choose the subjects of your works?

Pleasing shapes, things that make me smile – objects that intrigue me, scenes that ask me questions, e.g. Who used to live here? Scenes that show resourcefulness and the human spirit, often in adversity.

Q- How do you prepare yourself for an exhibition or a show like the Open Studios?

I produce things that are always popular – my shanty towns never stay around for long! I also like to put in some new, experimental stuff.

Q - Are there territories (media, subjects, etc.) you want to explore in the coming years?

Cities with wonderful buildings for skylines in experimental colours.

Q - As an artist, what would be your dream?

To own my own gallery with a coffee shop.


Q - Could you share one thing that you have learnt in your own art practice that would be useful to other artists?

Always be true to yourself and paint from the heart. It will shine through in your work.


To see more of Sarah's work, make sure you visit her website: www.sandsollom.com

Friday, July 30, 2010



Swindon Vewpoint made a short video during the Swindon Big Arts Day, where the Committee promoted the coming Swindon Open Studios.



Wednesday, July 14, 2010

They talk about Swindon Open Studios 2010



Physis Daily News published an article on the coming Swindon Open Studios 2010. Check out this website to read the article.


SOS 2010 is also listed on the Visit Britain website.




Monday, July 12, 2010

Swindon Open Studios at the Swindon BIG Arts Day



Saturday 10th July was "Swindon Big Arts Day" at Lydiard Park.


We had a table in the Art & Craft tent in order to promote the coming open studios with the public and reach more artists living in the Swindon area.

Some of the SOS 2010 organisers (from left to right): Jane Milner-Barry, Benoit Philippe, Linda Kasmati and Bea Menier


Benoit Philippe painting on the day to give a flavour of what visitors to the Swindon Open Studios 2010 can expect.


The success of the event surpassed the organiser's expectations. They were hoping to have five thousand visitors and twenty thousand visitors came during the day.


Many people sign-up to be added to our mailing list to get more details when the time of the event approaches. We also met some new artists.