Words from the Shore -Day One Devon Open Studio with Devon Artist Charlotte Ellis

Up at six for more cleaning, prepping and a quick Exe estuary swim before we opened the door at ten o'clock. The thing about tidying things away is that I can never seem to find them afterwards, so tidiness slowed us down a little but the house does look lovely and received a lot of love from our visitors, especially when the light shone down on the vase of sunflowers in the hall. Joey dog lay on the stairs above, quietly watching everyone who walked in with a gentle wag of the tail to say hello to dog lovers.

Joey Dog and his watchful eye...

There never really seems to be enough time when getting ready for events and exhibitions and this morning was no exception. I’d ordered low- tack price labels, but they hadn’t arrived, so I had to quickly make little price signs. I should have done this in the week, but somehow it kept slipping down the priority list. Tomorrow, I’ll make time to write out titles and prices on labels – number one on my list. I think titles are important and help to tell the painting's story and hold out an invitation to connect. Once again, I didn’t find time to take many photos apart from the sunflowers.

The big sign outside worked well and encouraged Lympstone visitors in as they walked past. Although there didn’t seem to be as many on the Devon Open Studios trail as in previous years, you know the ones who arrive eagerly with booklet in hand, we had a steady stream of visitors flowing through the door and some sales which is always good. My estuary bird watercolour cards were firm favourites.

Egret

People really seemed to like seeing my tiny studio and many commented on how it was good to see a small studio as sometimes on social media the only studios you see are huge. They loved the realness of it with its jars of brushes, half-finished canvases and busy shelves. For me the space to create doesn’t need to be huge, but it is the storage of finished pieces and pieces in progress that takes space. This is something I am constantly working on. The plan is to inusulate my studio so that I can use it all year round and at the same time add in some more storage. 

Silver Light

One of the great things about doing Open Studios is the conversations you have with so many different people. The overwhelming comments I got about my paintings were how peaceful they make you feel, which is lovely as we all need a little peace sometimes. I talked art, books, interior design, food and all sorts of other things with visitors but also gave those who like quiet and no chat the space to wander around and take everything in gently on their own.

As I closed up at four I was overcome with tiredness and had to take to the bed. I fell asleep instantly only to be woken as we were going to have a meal at friends that evening which was perfect in so many ways, but mostly because it meant that our kitchen could stay untouched, ready for tomorrow’s visitors. I wonder what day two will bring?

My work can also be viewed in Seaglass Gallery, Lympstone, Devon.