Since my last post, there was the very rewarding (both in terms of sales and interacting with some really delightful people) solo exhibition at Old Nick in Plett. This led to a return there in November to conduct 2 encaustic workshops. I must thank Marina of Encaustry.co.za (a local online store that finally makes it easy for South African encaustic artists to source our particular art materials.) She very generously gave me access to extra hot plates, burners and birchwood supports for the workshops.

Thanks also to Stu and Janet Holding, owners of Old Nick Village, for being such fun hosts while we were in Plett for the workshops!

On our return to Prince Albert, it was full steam ahead to produce new work, and move my working studio out into the showroom space in the former Miller’s Barn. Our kids were coming to visit in December, and we needed to use my existing studio as a spare room.

My grandsons helped me to get it all set up and ready for the January 2022 Prince Albert Open Studios. But then a bit of a curve ball flew into us, as we all ended up with Covid! So I had to cancel my participation in Open Sudios. It took a while to bounce back, with the extreme fatigue and low O2 Sats lingering for several weeks. But during that time I was exploring new ideas, and also new media!

My roots in photography, back in the days of film, were very much about working in a darkroom to print my own black and white images. Then I went into ceramics and became a studio potter for several years. Somehow, during my convalescence, I developed an urge to revisit these two disciplines, but in a fresh way, and to integrate them into my current work practice. The resulting journey into Cyanotype printing, on both paper and ceramic forms, which I made and had fired locally, has been so inspiring! I’ll do a separate post shortly about the history of cyanotype, how it speaks to my work, and integrates with the encaustic, but for now, here are a few shots to show what I mean…

In June there was the winter edition of Prince Albert Open Studios, and I was so delighted to be back with a new body of work. Again I held an encaustic workshop, which ended up being so full I had to do two on consecutive days. It was a lot of fun with lovely participants and we worked in front of a toasty fire in our dining room due to the wintery snap (I LOVE winter, it is my BEST!!!) That said, I am also looking forward to the summer open studios, which will take place from 24th to 27th November. A highlight for me was being included in the Koast to Caroo exhibition, held by the Doos Gallery (yes, you read that correctly, but it might not mean what you think!) The idea is to hang a small portable box gallery in Prince Albert, featuring work from Knysna and Garden Route artists, and then take work back from Prince Albert Artists to show in Knysna.

While that was happening, I was also delighted to be included in the Prince Albert Gallery Pop-Up exhibition in Kirkcudbright, Scotland. Brent Philips-White, owner of Prince Albert Gallery, took across a selection of works by local Karoo artists, and my art photos and cyanotype prints were amongst them.

Coming up shortly I am holding another Mixed Media/Encaustic workshop in my studio next month. I want to do a cyanotype one too, at some stage, but am still figuring out the logistics of how many people I can squeeze into my small darkroom at the back of the studio!

If you are interested in doing one of these encaustic workshops or learning cyanotypes, please drop me an email so I can add you to my waiting list.

Anyway, that’s it for now, I’ll do the cyanotype post soon, promise!

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My studio has undergone a radical makeover, there is actually light in there now, thanks to a sort-of Heath Robinson skylight arrangement we did after removing the monster extractor hood from the previously dark hole of a workspace! And I’ve switched back to photography over the last few months, so there is plenty of new Karoo-mood inspired stuff to see.

Last weekend, I hosted the long-postponed workshop that was to have been in June, and it was as inspiring for me as it was for the participant… I have ordered a bunch of new encaustic materials and my mind is seething with new ideas for switching it up a bit… so I’m sure. by January, there will be loads to see.

The post Prince Albert Open Studios: january 7-10 2021 appeared first on Sue Hoppe.

I’ll be sharing a couple of videos describing my painting processes for oils and the mixed media works, so watch this space!

The header photo is the newest in my “Don’t Fence Me In” series. It can be archivally printed on canvas or enhanced matte art paper. If you are interested, inquire about available sizes and prices.

It was taken when we headed over the Swarberg Pass again last week, during a cold front, and although there was disappointingly little snow, the clouds and mist were wonderfully atmospheric. On our way home, it did begin snowing, and I ran around in my first actual falling snow (after 6 decades of wishing for this experience) like a demented 5 year old!

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