Artists of the Broads National Park

North Norfolk Open Studios is an annual event usually held in late May and early June – check the official website for this year’s dates. It’s an event that should belong on your ‘must do’ list. A great host of talented local artists open up their studios and their homes to show not just their work but also their techniques and muses. We went on a hunt to find artists who had found their inspiration in the Broads National Park and we were amazed by how many of them had, so here are a few of our favourites…

Alison Varley:

Alison Varley uses silver and gold to create organic structures which echo the shape of water. Her work varies from conceptual shapes to more specific subjects such as hare cufflinks, or starfish earrings which could have easily been found glittering on the shoreline at Horsey beach. Her silverwork is highly polished which gives the appearance of a glittering river, for those who’d like to take a little piece of the Broads with them wherever they go, a bangle by Alison would be like wearing the Wensum around your wrist!

Susan Gilbert:

St Benet’s Abbey by Susan Gilbert

Susan Gilbert works in watercolours and is inspired by the natural world. She captures her subjects with an understated realism and often focuses on features of the Broads National Park such as in her painting of St Benet’s Abbey. She also works in a variety of sizes, experimenting with miniatures in bold, chunky frames. Her choice of watercolours is perfect for the subtle muted tones which she favours, evoking the watery charms of the Broads.