Bucks &amp; Oxon


<p>We&#8217;re arty, farty and ready to party! Studios, sheds, barns and galleries have flung their doors open for <a href="https://www.artweeks.org/festival">Oxfordshire ArtWeeks</a>, the county&#8217;s annual artistic riot of sculpture, ceramics, paintings, photography and  jewellery, and we&#8217;re totally up for it. There are 400 venues to choose from and over 1,000 artists and makers to meet, watch and buy until 26 May so there&#8217;s a tsunami of choice. To avoid ovewhelm, start with a few of our favourite picks below for some early inspo, and then head to the ArtWeeks site where you can <a href="https://www.artweeks.org/festival/search" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">search via designer, art form, location and even date</a>. </p>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/alexandra-browne-watlington-south-vale-daphne.jpg" alt="Hand painted tile by Alexandra Browne" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">SUMMER STYLE</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>Deprived of the summer days? Alexandra Browne&#8217;s art will flood it all back. An architect before she became an interior designer, Browne&#8217;s work evokes lazy summer days and was ignited while creating the perfect tiles for a client&#8217;s holiday home. The unique range includes chic and stylish hand-painted tiles, lamps, hand-embroidered napkins, cotton and linen fabrics. She&#8217;s showcasing her work along with a collective of painters and a jewellery designer, so head along to Watlington and fill yer boots.</p><p><a href="https://www.artweeks.org/v/alexandra-browne" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WHERE TO SEE ALEXANDRA</a></p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/sarah-bond-abingdon-south-vale-sarah-bond-monumental.jpeg" alt="Sarah bond art work" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">PICTURE THIS</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>Vibrant colours breathe life into earth through Sarah Bond&#8217;s work. The landscape painter and printmaker ignites her passion for art through walking by the sea or in the countryside. Her work explores the effects of climate change and positive aspects of renewable energy. She uses a beautiful blend of oils but also uses mixed media and monoprinting in other work. </p><p><a href="https://www.artweeks.org/v/sarah-bond-opc-woa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WHERE TO SEE SARAH</a></p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/henrietta-jones-watlington-south-vale-img-1501.jpeg" alt="ceramics by Henrietta Jones" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">SHE&#8217;S KILN IT</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>Working from her studio in Oxfordshire, Henrietta (AKA Herridge Pottery)  started her passion in 2024, handcrafting each pottery piece to be used in our everyday lives. The name &#8220;Herridge&#8221; reflects a family tradition of artists and makers, starting from her granddad, Geoffrey. These wheel thrown ceramics are sustainable <em>and</em> perfectly imperfect, sprucing up any home, table, and kitchen.  </p><p><a href="https://www.artweeks.org/v/henrietta-jones">WHERE TO SEE HENRIETTA </a></p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/AmieMcNee1-watlington-south-vale-doing-so-good-small.jpg" alt="Amie McNee paintings" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">SPEAKS TO THE SOUL</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>In need of some good old hippy love? Forget summer of &#8217;69, artist and author Amie McNee writes love letters online to creators of all art-forms. Her artwork is displayed in a gallery setting, showing messages to encourage and inspire other artists. Her aim is to unite artists and to remind them why they are doing what they do. It&#8217;s time to spread that creativity!</p><p><a style="font-size: revert;, sans-serif" href="https://www.artweeks.org/v/amie-mcnee">WHERE TO SEE AMIE</a></p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/Natasha-Samasuwo-esther-lafferty-faringdon-south-vale-natasha-samasuwo-2.jpeg" alt="Natasha Samasuwo paiting" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">POP OF COLOUR</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>In need of a dash of colour? Print designer Natasha Samasuwo creates art blending material and colours. Having earned the Pupils Choice Award, her vivid work first stepped out on the streets of Paris after her graduating year at The Glasgow School of Art. Now she works independently at her studio in Faringdon. </p><p><a href="https://www.artweeks.org/v/natasha-samasuwo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WHERE TO SEE NATASHA</a></p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/mrs-magdalen-road-studios-oxford-east-city-mrsartweeks2024.jpg" alt="Art work from Magdalen Road Studios" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">ART-FULLY CRAFTED</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>Can&#8217;t decide on what art form you want to see? See them all at Magdalen Road Studios. Registered as a charity, the studio&#8217;s artforms include ceramics, drawing, installation/multi-sensory, mixed media, painters and multidisciplinary. The exhibition takes place until Sun 11 May.</p><p><a href="https://www.artweeks.org/v/magdalen-road-studios" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WHERE TO SEE MAGDALEN ROAD STUDIOS</a></p><p></p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/Fleur-Enser-POTTERY.jpeg" alt="" aria-hidden="true" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">A LOT ON HER PLATE </h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>Fleur Enser’s chic eye was trained in the fashion world, where she worked with designer Paddy Campbell and in the wardrobe department of The English National Opera. Now she crafts stoneware and earthenware pieces that are just begging for a spot on our dinner table from her studio in North Oxfordshire.</p><p><a href="https://www.artweeks.org/v/fleur-enser" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WHERE TO SEE FLEUR</a></p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/Edwina-Sercombe-DehliDays.jpg" alt="" aria-hidden="true" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">VACATION VIEWS </h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>Vibrant colours and textures breathe life into Edwina Sercombe’s statement pieces. With experience in TV set design, interior, and floral styling, Edwina works from her home studio in south Oxfordshire, creating striking art that draws on her African heritage.  </p><p><a href="https://www.artweeks.org/v/edwina-sercombe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WHERE TO SEE EDWINA</a></p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/Sharon-Highway-journal-with-ceramic-heart.jpeg" alt="" aria-hidden="true" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">TAKE NOTE</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>Ready to give your to-do list a glow up? Sharon Highway is the woman for the job. Crafting luxury hand-bound leather and cork journals with stunning designs (we have eyes on the ceramic button editions) her brand, Mallory Journals, specialises in long-lasting stationery lined with quirky vintage maps, crafted with Indian cotton papers and Italian decorative papers. </p><p><a href="https://www.artweeks.org/p/sharon-highway" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WHERE TO SEE SHARON</a></p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/rmjewellery-watlington-south-vale-img-6582.jpg" alt="Rachel McGrath jewellery" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">BLING IT ON</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>Missing some subtle bling? Rachel McGrath makes everyday jewellery in South Oxfordshire using 14k Gold. Inspired by making bracelets for friends eventually grew into running a business. Each bracelet is made with filled beads and stones such a Turquoise, Malachite and Quartz &#8211; geological bling much chicer than what the kids bring home &#8211; and it&#8217;s all handmade. </p><p><a href="https://www.artweeks.org/v/rachel-mcgrath">WHERE TO SEE RACHEL</a></p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/bry-leighton-flip-flop-card.jpeg" alt="girl with big flip flops" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">COLLAGE CRAZINESS</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>Jericho-based collage artist Bry Leighton is part of the East Oxford Art Collective, a group of twelve artists, all with different tastes. When she&#8217;s not teaching Art History, she&#8217;s knee-deep in old books and magazines, slicing them away into recycled, hand-cut works of art. Think vintage chic meets visual punchline. Her work has a mixed theme of feminism and wit (and a splash of humour too). </p><p><a href="https://www.artweeks.org/p/bry-leighton">WHERE TO SEE BRY</a></p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/becky-paton-img-2657.jpeg" alt="mosaic art" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">MARVELLOUS MOSAICS</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>Becky Paton developed her skills at Chelsea School of Art and has delved further into the world of mosaics ever since. She has used her art in community projects as well as in art therapy in mental health settings. Her work is richly inspired by the natural world &#8211; think shiny mosaics blended with fossils and the odd nod to wildflowers. With all this, she has her second book on the go, and undertakes many Public and Community Art commissions both in and around her home town of Oxford.  </p><p><a href="https://www.artweeks.org/p/becky-paton-oas">WHERE TO SEE BECKY</a></p></div></div></div></div>



<p><em>Oxfordshire Artsweeks runs until 27 May. <a href="https://www.artweeks.org/festival">Find the full list of artists and venues here.</a></em></p>


Drawn to it: Artists to look out for at Oxfordshire ArtWeeks 2025

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