The Studio Upstairs

Five Guildford artists join in the lovely upstairs gallery at Art and Grind on Guildford High Street to show and sell vibrant and varied artwork. Workshops, demos, drop-ins and Artist in the Window sessions are all happening as well! See www.artandgrind.co.uk for details and booking.

Kirsty is a collage artist and makes collages using torn paper. The images she uses are her own photographs. Her photos are close-ups of natural objects she sees when she’s out and about; things that have lovely texture and colour. She prints the photos out and then use them to represent completely different objects in her collages. She tears the paper and combines small sections of different photos to create her pictures, layering the pieces one by one and gluing them down to build up the landscape. She often includes photographs of flowers which she uses in the foregrounds of many of her collages. She loves the process of seeing texture and colour all around, taking photographs and then creating a piece of art in which the photographs take on completely different meanings. She often frames without glass so that the layers of paper can be felt as well as seen. Her collages are imaginary landscapes rather than actual locations but they often remind people of specific places meaningful to them.

Katy is a painter. She has been in the creative field for many years, owning and running a design consultancy, then in interior and garden design. She has always loved colour and been inspired by how colour can change a mood, create light, shade and drama. She started painting a little later in life, learning from some amazing tutors, in life drawing and abstract art. Even as a child she loved the natural world with its different moods and skies. She finds joy in the natural landscape and the human figure, how it moves, dances and just how incredible our bodies are. Working in an abstract way to create a some tranquillity/playfulness with colour, form and shape. Inspired by and painting from references from her life drawing and nature. The way the sea meets the sky, the light in the Caribbean and India is particularly evocative for her. Cityscapes, bridges and the reflections are very much part of her painting, having lived and worked near the Thames London bridges, with their imposing theatricality and architectural structure.

Natalie is a Guildford-based artist working in acrylics and inks, inspired by the Surrey Hills and the energy of human connection. With a background in perfumery and communication, she now captures the feeling of a moment in paint rather than scent. Her abstract and semi-abstract works reimagine natural forms through bold colour, contrast and layered texture. You’re warmly invited to experience her work with more than your eyes – notice what stirs, and let’s begin a dialogue. Instagram: @natalie_the_savage_art

Geoff is a painter. Having started painting from scratch about 5 years ago, he has yet to find his ’style’. Of particular interest so far is perspective in landscapes although cafés and windows, especially in French towns, are also a fascination. Almost always acrylics on canvas or board though occasionally oils or watercolour, just to experiment.

Aidan is a photographer who specialises in aviation photography. He loves shooting planes, from commercial airliners to fast fighters to private display jets. His favourite trips are to air shows and air bases where he spends the day watching and photographing planes. He enjoys improving the original images he gets, experimenting with colour, cropping and framing. The results are unique, dynamic images that capture the beauty and power of these incredible machines.