ARTISTS from Royston and surrounding villages will be inviting the public into their studios. Ten artists from Royston, Barley and Barkway are taking part in Hertfordshire s 16th Open Studios which aims to encourage interaction between artists and the pub

ARTISTS from Royston and surrounding villages will be inviting the public into their studios.

Ten artists from Royston, Barley and Barkway are taking part in Hertfordshire's 16th Open Studios which aims to encourage interaction between artists and the public

The exhibitions will feature paintings, pottery and prints, and will run until September 17.

Sisters Katherine and Jane Edwards will be exhibiting their colourful fused glass at Burloes Farm in Royston on September 9-10 and 16-17.

From their respective backgrounds in ceramics and painting, their work combines influences of landscape and memories of travels.

Their bowls tend to evolve intuitively into a series of work, some based on reflections within water or emotional responses to colour.

Susan Sanders who will also be exhibiting at Burloes Farm is passionate about painting landscapes.

She said: "Hertfordshire is stunning so I like finding the dramatic and emotional lights and colours in landscapes."

Susan is currently working on a figurative series of landscapes but also takes photographs of contemporary farm landscapes.

Susan and Terry Hartga of 21 Morton Street, Royston, are keen photographers.

Susan who has a degree in Fine Art produces a mix of photographs and paintings while Terry focuses on photography and takes his inspiration from his environment.

Terry makes ordinary objects look less ordinary. He said: "I look at how light affects people. I like things that other people don't always look in depth at."

Susan said: "My work is about where people come from. I also focus on the layers of the landscape as well as the relationships between people and their memories."

Susan and Terry will be exhibiting their work every Sunday in September from 11am-4pm.

Terry will also be open every Saturday and the first three Fridays in September from 11am-4pm.

Beth Hardwicke, of 32 Sun Hill, Royston, has studied art all her life. She will be exhibiting her work on September 9-10 and 16-17 from 10am-5pm.

She specialises in paintings and uses water-colours, Chinese ink and oils.

"I paint anything and everything," she said. "I get my inspiration from life."

Beth has taught water-colour painting but has now turned her attention to Chinese painting.

"In Chinese painting you try to capture the life-force of the subject and try to feel the subject emotionally," she said.

Marian Murphy, of 76 High Street, Barkway, specialises in hand-embroidered textiles and has done so for the past 20 years.

"I base my work on African tribes and tribal costumes which I find fascinating," she said.

Marian will be holding her exhibition on September 8-10 and 15-17 from 10am-5pm.

Elizabeth Beardwell, of 81 Green Drift, Royston, will be exhibiting her paintings and prints during every weekend in September from 12noon-6pm.

She is currently working on medieval figures in lino-cut on the press at the Royston Museum, but also produces small paintings celebrating nature.

Swedish artist Christina Pattison will be exhibiting paintings, textiles and pots at The Studio, Old Westfield, Smith's End Lane, Barley on September 2-4, 6-10 and 13-17.

"My work is very bold, strong and colourful." she said. "I work with movement and the energy of joy."

Christina said her work makes people happy and as a result 30 of her paintings are displayed in Addenbrooke's Hospital.

Some 20 per cent of her sales will be donated to Barley Church.

For more information visit www.hvaf.org.uk