Christmas Artists Open Houses

Andrew Kay is planning to deck the halls at this year’s Christmas Artists Open Houses

Shhhhhhh! Not a word to Mr R. It’s that time of year again when the creative community fling wide their doors and invite us into their homes to look at their wares and I can end up spending rather more than I should. Yes, the 2012 Christmas Artist Open Houses season is upon us.

The Christmas Artists Open Houses festival takes place over the first three weekends of December and I find it the most marvelous (and dangerous) temptation. I know that somewhere I will find things that will make perfect gifts for my friends, from prints and drawings to jewellery and ceramics, and whilst some of the work on show will be beyond my gift buying budget, there are always so many attractive and affordable gifts on offer.

The problem that I have is that I am always in danger of buying something for myself. I like to think of myself as a collector, although I am sure Mr R thinks of me more as a hoarder, and the huge number of artworks that I already own is probably evidence for both cases. Every wall surface and every horizontal plane in our home is filled with artwork of some kind, some ceramics but mainly paintings, drawings and prints. The ones still unframed and in plan-chests and portfolios add weight to his argument of course, and of that there is no denying.

The AOH movement started in Brighton, growing from an Artists Open Studio concept. It was the original and is now much copied across the country and beyond. I may be biased too but I feel sure that it is probably the best, and over the years the source of some of my favourite possessions and, it has to be admitted, my continuing poverty.

I jest, for all I have invested in art I have reaped the benefit of the pleasure that I have had and I am sure that for the most part they are still worth at least what I paid for them and in some cases a whole lot more.

Investing in art is a gamble of course, so if you plan to do it then there are a few rules. Always be aware that this is a gamble. That being the case remember to invest in something that you love. Even if it never increases in value it will pay dividends in terms of enjoyment every time you look at it.

As well as the fine arts, the prints and paintings, there are also lots of more practical things on sale, ceramics are popular – both functional and practical. You will even find furniture indoor and outdoor, garden ornaments in stone, carved wood, wrought iron and clay. There is jewellery of all kinds, from fun affordable pieces to work in precious metals, precious and semi-precious stones. Fashion too, hand weaves, knits and felted items, printed and dyed silks and cottons and many of these are priced so as to make attractive gifts.

Photography now plays a large role in the AOH catalogue of arts and these are often very affordable and can be bought both framed or for less money unframed.

“No room for boughs of holly here thank you”

If your pockets are really small then go along to enjoy the arts merely as a spectator, I’ll wager that you will be drawn in, even if it’s only by the greetings cards, cakes and mulled wine, those too are all part of the experience.
And as for the artworks stuffed in my drawers, one day, one day when the bank balance allows, they will rise to the surface, be given a frame and fight for space on our already over-decked hall. No room for boughs of holly here thank you.
The Christmas Artists Open Houses Festival 1–2, 8–9, 15–16 December 2012. www.aoh.org.uk