With Surrey Artists Open Studios coming up, I thought it might be useful to share a few tips to help you make the most of your adventure.  If you can't visit this year, you can browse the new paintings in my online shop

1.     PLAN YOUR ROUTE
Step one: get your hands on a copy of the Surrey Artists Open Studios brochure. They can be found all over Surrey in cafés, libraries, shops or from my studio. This year’s cover (above) features one of my abstract landscape paintings.

If you’re not local (or you’d rather go digital), all details are online, complete with downloadable maps and artist info:

https://surreyopenstudios.org.uk/open-studios/
My own studio details are here:
https://surreyopenstudios.org.uk/open-studio/alison-orchard-fine-art/

2.     CHOOSE YOUR FAVOURITE'S
Grab a coffee or glass of wine, pick an area you’d like to visit and circle the artists whose work looks appealing. If that sounds like too much work then check the artists trails where the route is all planned out for you. You can download our Hindhead trail map here

3.     CHECK BEFORE VISITING

Don’t get caught out. Each venue is independently run, and we all have our curious ways including different opening hours. Double-check the days and times. Jot things down, scribble on the brochure. It saves you turning up somewhere and finding it closed. The dates in bold mean its open, (shown in the little orange boxes for each listing).

Good news though: I’m open every weekend from 10am – 5pm as well as on Thursday’s, Friday’s and Monday’s. If you particularly need to visit on a Tuesday or Wednesday, just get in touch and sweet talk me – I’m not far away and if I can, I’ll open the doors especially for you.

4.     TRANSPORT
Get a group of friends, or bring the kids, or your loved one and share a car. Some venues have limited parking or require negotiating single-track country lanes.

No Car? The nearest station to me is Haslemere (4 miles) or Farnham (8 miles) then bus 23 or 123, or grab a taxi. You could walk to 2 or 3 venue’s from mine if you’re feeling fit. If you want to feel totally virtuous by checking all the fitness, eco and culture boxes in one go, grab our trail map (or download a copy) and cycle or walk to each venue. (Bring a backpack for all those treasures you’ll want to take home or ask for a delivery).

– Extra tip: If you’re doing the Hindhead Art Trail, start at my studio in Applegarth Farm for plenty of free parking and an amazing brunch menu. Check the menu here.

5.     Dogs & kids welcome!
We know you’ll want to bring all the family and furry friends are very welcome in my studio. There’s some beautiful dog walks through the woods at the back of Applegarth Farm and in the surrounding area. Dogs are also allowed to join you in the restaurant and you'll find the best treats for them next door to me at the hollistic pet food shop, Wild Roots.
Children are welcome too (and entertained)! I always have some sketchbooks and pens set up so they can create their own masterpieces while you browse. They’re usually fascinated by how messy my studio is and that I’m allowed to splatter paint on the walls.

6.     Food, Glorious Food
No one wants to look at art on an empty stomach. Luckily, Applegarth Farm does an award-winning brunch, lunch or afternoon tea. It gets busy on Friday & Saturdays, so I recommend booking.

If you want to picnic, visit the deli and take your goodies into the woods for an alfresco lunch. The sausage rolls are amazing (Even non-Vegan's like the Chickpea and Spinach ones).

Grayshott is spoilt for refreshment spots with Fox & Pelican pub, Red Rose Tearoom or The Counter Café, in Crossways Road, for amazing takeaway cakes.

Further on the trail you could stop for a refreshing icecream at Scoop, while you visit ceramicist Emma Godden in Beacon Hill or a chilled glass of wine at Bel & The Dragon before dropping into see artist Fiona Millais in Churt.

7.     CARD OR CASH? BOTH!

Most venues take card, I do (even for £2.75 greetings cards)!
Carrying a bit of cash isn’t a bad idea, just in case the card machine decides to play up.

Be prepared to be decisive. If you see something you love, snap it up. Some people visit specifically to buy a new piece of art they can take home with them. It is awful (for everyone) when the painting you fell in love with has already sold.

-Extra tip: If you’re looking to buy, ask to visit on Friday 6th June for a preview. If you want more time ask if you can reserve an item, or have ‘first refusal’ incase anyone else wants to buy it.

-Another extra tip: If you find an artist you love but you’re not ready to buy, find out if they offer gift vouchers and tell everyone that’s what you want for all your birthday’s and anniversary’s – you can then enjoy choosing your dream painting in your own time.

Here’s a link to my gift vouchers

8.     JOIN THE MAILING LISTS!
Most artists have one and we don’t bombard you. Just the odd cheerful ramble, a peek at new work, or a heads-up about events. It really is the best way to keep in contact with your favourite artist.

9.    TAKE PHOTOS (and write notes)
You’ll see so much art your brain will get a visual overload. Snap photos of anything you love. Always good if you need to share a hint with a partner for something you want. If you post them on social media, artists really appreciate being tagged. My Instagram is @alisonorchardart I love seeing your favourites and will share to my stories.

10. ASK QUESTIONS
You don’t have to know about art to enjoy it. If you’re intrigued by something please ask. Asking ‘What is your process’? or ,‘What’s the story behind this piece?’ starts an interesting conversation. If you’re looking to buy, you might want to know ‘Is it light-sensitive’?, ‘Is it ready to hang’?,‘Can I try it at home before deciding’? or even ‘Can I pay in installments’?

Open studios get busy so be patient, but make sure you get to talk to the artist. You might prefer to visit early when it’s less busy, or arrange a private viewing.