PEOPLE visiting an art exhibition at The Witham, in Barnard Castle, have the rare opportunity of being able to visit the artists at work in their own studios.
Some 22 of the 31 artists taking part in the Teesdale ArtNet exhibition that opened on Thursday, April 26, have also thrown open their studios to the public. Among the artists is Olwen Williams, who operates two studios, one of which is above Cafe Fresh, in Middleton-in-Teesdale.
The 67-year-old said: “It is north facing, which is perfect for painting.”
Although she works only in watercolour and pastel at the cafe studio, she also paints in oil at home.
She has had a lifelong passion for painting but on her parent’s insistence she studied archaeology and history, going on to be a teacher.
However, aged 47 she enrolled for a fine arts degree, getting first-class honours, and initially worked at The Biscuit Factory, in Newcastle, where she found inspiration from the movement of dance students. She turned her hand to landscape when she moved to Teesdale seven years ago.
Ms Williams said: “It is the land that attracts me– it is ancient and deep.
“The stone that people build with and the stone in the earth – the dale has really beautiful colours. You get the most extraordinary colours here, especially in the autumn.”
People who visit the studio can buy some of her handmade cards, each with an original miniature painting, for £2.50. All of the profit goes to Marie Curie Cancer Care.
Ms Williams’ studio is open this weekend through to Monday, May 7, between 10am and 4pm.
