Twelve ‘Creatives at Pytchley’ bring an enigmatic eccentricity to their art fair this September

Across one weekend from the 12th to the 13th of September 10am-4pm, the All Saints Church at Pytchley will be transformed into an art extravaganza, covering sculptures of glass and mosaics, wildlife and landscape paintings, storytelling art, celebrations of nature, woodwork masterpieces, and one-of-a-kind jewellery.

Free to attend, the event promises inspiration, a chance to meet the artists, affordable art, and unique gifts. Whether you’re an artist, an admirer, or a collector, this weekend has something for everyone.

Held at the beautiful church of All Saints, with its own art from medieval times and inspiring architecture, the venue adds to the atmosphere of the work held inside. ‘Creatives in Pytchley’ is one of the many events being held by Northants and Rutland Open Studios, who are arranging a wide variety of activities across both counties, from open studios, fairs, demos and exhibitions. While their Central Exhibition held at Lamport Hall (6th September to the 3rd of October), showcases the work of hundreds of artists and can help direct you on where to continue your art journey, including the engaging ‘Creatives at Pytchley’ who cover an impressive range of mediums, skills and experience.

For this event the ‘Creatives at Pytchley’ have worked to bring twelve artists, each with their own speciality together. In the case of Ravi Zutshi, a wealth of experience can be found in his skilled woodwork, his art having travelled across sea, to also be found in France. Embracing the grain of the wood, Ravi’s designs work to complete and accentuate its beauty, with the final use of stains and iridescent patterns partnering in harmony to create a tactile beauty of art and nature.

Nature is a thread that weaves many of the artists at Pytchley together. For Bill Pearson, his tranquil scenes of the country and seascapes capture the joy of days out and the natural beauty of its greens and blues, while his watercolour cityscapes highlight its grand architecture.

In Carol Booker’s exploration of Britain’s countryside, there’s a joy to be found in the textured layers of oil paint, embracing the richness of our flora and landscapes. Continuing her expression with the medium are her paintings of animals, their form and character having a style inspired by Franz Marc.

Inspired by wildlife, Jill Tisbury is a professional glass artist bringing to life our local flora and fauna in this beautiful medium. From bees to turtles or sculpted flowers you can find them all at the FiredGlass stall.

For professional illustrator and printmaker Lisa Brodie, her works exudes an enchantment, the soft palette and charming nature-inspired prints leaving both a wistfulness and smile in your heart. Her practice includes the use of mixed media painting, linocut and intaglio printing.

Photographer and conservationist Fiona Gunn-Stokes captures what our fleeting glimpses only hope to; the vibrant yellow of a sunflower field in its brightest hour, the crunch of snow as you walk through the park, to the sound of birdsong. Her love for nature continuing to exude from her work as she gives a percentage of her sales to the protection of this wildlife.

Another nature influenced artist is Emma Turner, who creates mosaic art using vintage and modern china combined with glass, porcelain tiles and millefiori, that not only records the local array of wildlife but the essence of what makes so many of them capture our hearts.

Using watercolour, ink and acrylic, artist Lenka Page provides a whole world of animals, her medium working to heighten the sensations her animals emit – their character, expressions, noises and sometimes playful disposition. They truly leap, bound and swing from the pages of her work.

For narrative artist P N Clin, art weaves a tale for you to be engaged with – just what does the scene show? What do others see? And for the ‘Creatives in Pytchley’ will not only be continuing this but expanding it into decorative products that serve a purpose.

Beauty is more than provided in the handcrafted jewellery of Jenny Bowman and Zoe Hodgson. Inspiration of the world around abounds in their work, for Bowman her talents with bead work and bright colours can conjure a stunning beetle army, while her polymer clay holds a charm as though touched by the magic of the forest. For Hodgson her artistry evolves through the joy of play and crafting designs of intricate simplicity, they’re both delicate and pure, the copper or silver hand sawn and textured into the patterns of nature, from acorns, flowers to colourful gem stones.

Nostalgia, safety, belonging, memories and their sensations, echo throughout the work of Heidi Clawson. Her semi-abstract paintings of wide spaces and a house in the distance call to something within all of us. Light and the play of weather on the landscape, further adding to these transformative landscapes.

All these artists and the event ‘Creatives at Pytchley’ are part of Northants and Rutland Open Studios, who, with a collective of hundreds of artists, hold events across September from demos, exhibitions, fairs and the many open studios of its artists. Not sure where to go next or what is on offer? Head to the Central Exhibition at Lamport Hall from 6th September to the 3rd of October, where hundreds of artists’ works are on display.

Whatever you do this September, ‘Creatives at Pytchley’ provides a chance for you to see and explore art up close, talk to the artists and potentially leave with a treasure of your own. Be sure to add it to your calendar.

‘Creatives at Pytchley’

All Saints Church

Isham Road

Pytchley

NN14 1EW

Saturday the 12th to Sunday the 13th of September, 10am-4pm. FREE ENTRY

Refreshments will be available.