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Report on Artists Open Houses

Fran standing in the doorway of our 'artists open house' on the last day of opening.

The house gets turned into an art gallery for a month. 

We have to shift around the furniture, and tidy up of course.

We estimate that at least 1500 visitors came through our doors during the four weekends.

COMPETITION

We ran a competition during our eight open house days. All visitors were able to fill in a simple card with their details and choice of favourite picture from the show. At the end of each open day we  drew a winner and let them know straight away by phone or email.

The winner could choose an A3 framed print from about 100 images in Colin's 'Collectors Edition' portfolio.

First Saturday .

49 people filled in a competition card. The winner was;

Ruby Smith from Brighton.

Ruby has chosen to receive 'Daisies', a framed Collectors Edition print by Colin Ruffell value £125.

'Daisies' by Colin Ruffell

click on image to see a larger version

 2nd Saturday 

118 entries

The winner was;

Olivia Browning from Burgess Hill

Olivia says "I am married to a builder , I have something about cranes. Cheers ". Choice 'Wobbly Bridge' by Colin Ruffell

'Wobbly Bridge'

click on image to see a larger version

Some comments from visitors.

"An amazing collection of work - very varied. As a Londoner I really liked all the works from London. My favourite print is that of Venice as it reminds me of a holiday there!" Brigitte Marson. London

"Have always loved the 'Cat' pictures - make me feel happy & smiley". Nadine Domoney, Brighton.

" So many lovely pieces - 2 styles I love. The Cats & Gram is such fun and easily access and Grand Canal/New York for the images evoked smells atmosphere sounds etc." Alison Ellis-Martin, Brighton.

"The ones with the cats are amazing. Especially like use of purple in landscape scenes. London scenes especially Big Ben are brilliant too." Mikki Lima Jack. University of Sussex.

"Excellent use of perspective. Reminded me of Egyptian art. Also very amusing, a well travelled/experienced cat!"  Ben Wigley. Nottingham.

"I love ' The South Downs' by Fran Slade - the lowering cloud over the whale backed downs, the light on landscape and distant silvered sea" C.M Fowler Eastbourne.

"A fantastic collection of work, diverse with strong colours ~ something in every piece to catch the eye and draw you in. I loved the painted prints ~ a very unique way to bring to life a print and make it "just for me". Thank you"  Liz Owen, Leeds.

"Always really enjoyed CR's cats and kittens & love the Alfred Wallisesque Hove & Brighton but today the CR flower paintings are new to me & I like their quiet abstract feel with the glow of rich red/yellow"  Jane Dickinson, Brighton.

First Sunday.

145 cards filled in. 

The winner was;

 Jon Simmons from Brighton.

Jon says, " I've loved Colin's Cats for years ".

He has chosen 'Brighton' by Colin Ruffell value £125

click on image to see a larger version

2nd Sunday 

103 card entries

The winner was;

Steve North from Brighton

see photograph below

Steve chose 'Venice' by Colin Ruffell, saying " I love the use of colours and the way they work together".

click on image to see a larger version

"My favourite is 'Foxy' because we have a fox who lives in our Garden and uses the shed as his toilet. In the painting his smugness makes me smile" Lisa, Brighton.

Winner of random draw Steve North  from Brighton [on the right]. Seen here accepting the framed print from artist Colin Ruffell.

3rd Saturday 

87 entries

The winner was

Gudrun Hansen from Shoreham-by-Sea

Gudrun has chosen 'PZ 718'

by Colin Ruffell.

"I particularly admire Fran Slade's 'South Downs' as it is bold dramatic and unsentimental in its depiction of one of my favourite landscapes." Robin Blanch, Uckfield.

Olivia Browning, and her family, a winner of our random draw, collects her choice of framed print.

Favourite piece of work? ... 'Brighton'...Every wall needs a Ruffell and what better tribute to our fabulous city?" Julia Gallagher, Brighton.

"What a talented group. When we win the lottery we'll be back! Favourite - the view of Canary Wharf with red cranes by Colin Ruffell, & beautiful garden". Belinda Gordon, Hove.

" 'Long Blooms' by Shyama, Fresh as Spring and beautiful colours." Andrew Young, Brighton.

Gudrun Hansen, the winner on 3rd Saturday,  picks up her chosen print.

We estimate that about half of our visitors filled in a card with their comments and contact details. Some declined because they were a couple and one entry would be sufficient, some didn't want to be added to our invitation list, and others just took the card and kept it as a way to contact us in the future. Over 800 people did fill in a card, so about 1600 happy visitors over 8 open days. We sold a lot of prints and cards and a couple of original paintings as well. Thank you every one. We value your comments and feedback very much. You will certainly  influence our work in the future.

Our first winner was Ruby Smith, pictured here with Colin Ruffell when she picked up 'Daisies' her chosen print.

Helen Watson and Colin Ruffell.

3rd Sunday 

123 entries

The winner was 

Helen Watson from Brighton.

Helen chose 'Amalfi' by Colin Ruffell.

4th Saturday 

84 entries

The winner was

Maggie Hall from Portslade.

"What a talented family of artists. I particularly like the Black Cat series. Thank you for your hospitality."

Maggie chose 'Cat and Kitten' as her prize.

Final day...Sunday 

117 entries [despite horrible weather forecast and constant rain all afternoon].

The winner was Andy Gill from Brighton.

Andy's comment... "Nice work".

He chose to take a framed 'Cat and Blue Grand' limited edition print.

 'Cat and Blue Grand' by Colin Ruffell

This image was used in the AOH brochure and attracted many visitors to our house. 

Andy Gill with his chosen print.

More comments from visitors....

Favourite piece of work? ...  "Shyamas work is all very beautiful - very girly girl. Made me think of faeries."  Hannah Gooch, Bexhill On Sea.

" The work of the entire family is to my liking, but favourite is .... too hard! Enjoyed the frivolity of the shoes, the moodiness of the London scenes, the huggability of the pink baby and the charm of the domestic scenes with high tailed cats."   Diets Verschuren.

Anne paints exquisite flower and fruit studies in water-colour. 

Her work can be seen on the Great British Watercolour website.

click here

Favourite piece of work? ...  " I liked the watercolour botanical paintings"  Marilyn Rathbone, Worthing.

"Anne Hale is incredible."  Sulu Mathews, University of Sussex.

Favourite piece of work? ...

"Fly Away' by Shyama."  Catherine Henderson, Brighton.

"'Tower Bridge' - soothing and calming. 'Fly Away' - uplifting and truly beautiful." Chloe Sumners.

" Amalfi'  a reminder of Positano one of the most favourite places I have ever been to - your picture is gorgeous!" Suzie Calff, Eastbourne.

Winner Jon Simmons collects his chosen framed print after the show. 

The house is getting back to normal at last. The original abstract painting in the background is 'Opus One' by Colin Ruffell. The open house event sometimes stimulates a repositioning of our personal art collection when we come to re-hang everything. Yet another bonus!

Can't decide between 'Cat and Grandfather Clock' - reminds me of happy times ... and 'Taxi' - I can smell the Big Apple."  Laura Tyrrell, Hove.

"Foxy" [ by Fran Slade]  Carolyn Roth, London.

"South Downs by Fran, very beautiful." Jeff Noon, Hove.

"I loved the cat pictures. As a matter of fact I couldn't decide which one was my favourite." Viktoria Orizarska, London.

"I really liked Anne Hales work." Karen Swirsky, Brighton.