Words From the Shore - The Eve of Devon Open Studios with Devon Artist Charlotte Ellis

In about twelve hours I will be opening the door to you on both my art and my studio in Lympstone. It will be the third year I have taken part in Devon Open Studios, but the first time I will be doing it in my home rather than in Seaglass Gallery with fellow artists and friends. It actually feels like a natural progression and as I sit here typing I am surrounded by my paintings, getting used to the feel of them on my walls. I have had them up for about a week so that I have had time to move them around and find their perfect place. The back of our house faces south and so as the light moves around throughout the day it gives different paintings a chance to shine as the hours pass. Most of the paintings are named, all have a story or anchor in the time and place that they were painted and each one is linked to the love affair I have with the wonderful Exe estuary where I am so lucky to live.

Reflecting on the whole Devon Studio process so far- before the event has even started- I'm glad that I am a writer and a list maker. I found the notes I'd made at the end of the past two years open studios and these formed the starting point for this years planning. I have learnt so much along the way. Things that I had to spend ages deliberating on previously, such as whether or not to get flyers made and if so how many and where should I get them printed, were non-decisions this time. I already had my answers. Instead, this time the focus for me has been how best to let my work tell its own story. How to let pieces speak to visitors and hopefully connect with their emotions on some level. Restful', 'calm' and 'uplifting' are among the words that are often used to describe my work. In the world we currently live in being able to find a moment of calm and peace feels a luxury and that is what I hope my paintings will bring to you.

This afternoon, after the gallery closed, the list of things to do seemed endless... so instead of working through it we drove to Woodbury Common, parked up in the van and did nothing except bask in the late afternoon sun for a couple of hours. Sometimes the busier you are the more you need to take time out. I have had periods in my life where there has literally been no time out at all so this privilege is one that I intend to make the most of. Back home for a quick swim, as the tide was high, set me up for the hours of cleaning ahead. I swam around the rock. The geese flew overhead as I lay back in the water and knew that all would be well. This is where the inspiration for my work comes from. This is my place. This is my peace. I did then clean for hours. I think there were corners that haven't seen a brush for years... and my goodness the cobwebs. If you are coming to visit my suggestion is just focus on the art.

My garden studio will be open from 10 tomorrow. It is so small and piled so high with foreshore finds, brushes, paper, paints etc that I've decided that it will be a bit like in Barbara Hepworth's garden, where you can look at her studio but not go in. That is where the similarity between us ends - just in case your expectations have suddenly shot up. Mine is tiny and will just have an old piece of rope across the doorway in a sort of budget National Trust way. Tomorrow I will attempt to find time to update this blog about how the day has gone. I am so excited and for now I will ride this excitement before the nerves set in. I intended to take lots of photos along the way but that hasn't happened so I'll leave you with an image of one of my sketchbooks, that I took yesterday. Come and see my art. Come and see me. You will be made very welcome.

Feather Sketchbook

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