Painters and Potters
- Cindy Watson
- Aug 13
- 3 min read
Leith Street Studio: Kat Hardwick
Reaching Kat Hardwick’s atelier took me on a drive through the lovely, quiet rural areas around Chidlow, until at last I found her studio on a large bush block full of fresh green growth after the recent Winter rains. The contrast with Kat’s paintings was immediately apparent as I stepped into a world of gorgeous, predominantly blue, abstract seascapes. The spacious studio in the quiet bush surrounds was delightfully serene, although enlivened by Kat’s cheerful and enthusiastic presence. Speaking with Kat we formed a connection through a shared understanding of landscape as metaphor, with the creation of an artwork being a journey through the outer and inner psychological landscape. As artists we may start with one idea, but as we move through the creative process the path and ultimate destination may change.
Kat loves to work with mixed media to produce depth and unexpected effects, so that there is always something new to discover on closer viewing of one of her sensitive and expressive paintings. As in life, looking below the surface can provide fresh perspectives and understandings.
You can see more of Kat Hardwick’s art here:
Sylvanup Arts: Yvonne Wadley
It’s always a treat to visit a garden which has been built with consideration for the natural environment, whilst allowing for more exotic plants and trees. Yvonne Wadley’s garden, lovingly created over a period of 15 years, was originally a bush block with many trees and naturally occurring native species. It is now home to a variety of plant species which bloom at different times of the year, so there is always an area of colour and interest. In Spring there will be a profusion of grevillea, hakea and protea, as well as flowering bulbs and wildflowers. Visitors will enjoy wandering around, taking in what each garden “room” has to offer.
Yvonne’s art is inspired by her garden as well as her extensive travels, and she produces delicate and subtle works in a range of media- including textiles, watercolours and chalk pastels. I was particularly taken with her latest venture into eco-printing, which she then works back into with paint, adding details which reward a closer inspection. Both Yvonne’s work and garden invite us to pause and enjoy the quiet, subtle moments of life.
Mak Mud Studio
Mak Mud Studio is a family affair comprising Kevin and Mary Ann Dawson, who, along with their daughter Michelle Toye, create both large and small scale ceramics in their studio in Darlington. Visitors will be struck, first of all, by the wonderful view to the scarp and distant city, from the rear of the property. The sense of space and openness continues into the workshop area with high ceilings and generous work areas.
Their gorgeous property in Darlington houses an impressive studio filled with everything a group of dedicated ceramicists would need. Here Kevin Dawson builds large sculptural pieces, including a collection of wonderful lighthouses, which are also functional. Whilst Kevin only caught the ceramics bug three years ago, he has fully embraced the lure of clay as a means of self-expression, and is not afraid to think on a larger scale with his works.
Mary Ann Dawson is no stranger to creativity, having explored many different art forms throughout her life. It was a chance introduction to clay that gave her the nudge to explore the “world of mud”, and she is working hard at understanding all that the medium has to offer -from large sculptural light fittings to delicate porcelain rings. Mary Ann is also a painter and her current interest is in developing a series of works based on currency symbols. The large paintings are bold and graphic, inviting reflection on the connection between the viewer, money, and art.
Whilst I didn’t get to meet Michelle Toye, I was able to see some of her lovely functional ceramics. Deceptively simple, Michelle’s pieces celebrate form and texture, and I immediately wanted to pick them up to appreciate the organic shapes and lovely glazes.
It was terrific to see the work of three connected, but stylistically distinct artists, who are putting together an interesting collection of ceramics, and I can’t wait to see what else they produce for Open Studios.
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