Michelle’s journey to Worcs Open Studios

Catshill-based artist Michelle Doidge has been practising art as a hobby for more than 20 years, but it is only in the past 18 months that she has taken the bold step of turning her passion into a business.

For the second year running she is participating in August’s Worcestershire Open Studios free art event when artists open their studios/homes to members of the public. This is Michelle’s story.

“Art plays a significant part in my life and I find myself constantly inspired by the natural world. The beauty and fragility of the natural world is at the heart of all my paintings whether representational or abstract and is always a constant source of inspiration for me.

“I am fortunate to be surrounded by the ancient countryside of north Worcestershire and my landscapes often feature the dramatic skies and magical sunsets I experience here and on my travels. I also love to paint the wild, energising seascapes found on the Isles of Scilly as well as the breathtaking and dramatic scenery of Scotland.

“Predominantly, I am a self-taught artist based in Bromsgrove and have been doing art as a hobby for over 20 years, working mainly in oils and pastels as well as metallic acrylics. I often incorporate unconventional methods to convey 3D texture into my work – even using Polyfilla to attain heavy impasto in my art. My portfolio of work is expanding – both through my own experimentation as well as private commissions.

“I studied A level art at school and obtained an A grade. I then didn’t pick up a pencil until years later when I decided to return to art and embarked on adult education classes. I did this for well over 20 years purely as a hobby and for “me time” as I had a busy career in television. I fell in love with art all over again. During that time, I had been approached to do a few commissions for friends and family, but I never intended to take it up as a career or pursue it as a business. Then Covid struck!

“During the third lockdown I started to re-evaluate what I really wanted to do with the rest of my life. During the long winter days of 2021, I thought: ‘Well, why not give a career in art a go?’ Since I made that decision, I have worked day and night, while also holding down a part-time job with Worcester City Council, to produce a body of art that I could start showing to people and, after visiting studios as part of the Worcestershire Open Studios scheme in 2021, I decided to take the plunge.

“I joined art groups including Droitwich Arts Network, Worcestershire Artists, and North Worcestershire Art Collective. Since then, I have either exhibited as a solo artist or as part of a collective or my artwork has been exhibited in galleries.

“Art connects us all and is a force for good and I am looking forward to welcoming visitors to my Open Studios event. This will be my second year taking part and I hope to build upon the success of 2022 and to meet more people who share a passion for art. I am happy for visitors to touch my work so that they can be drawn even further into the painting.”

Michelle will be exhibiting at Worcestershire Open Studios at her home studio in Catshill on August 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th and 28th from 10.30am - 4.30pm, visitors can just drop by during these times at her studio - 312 Stourbridge Road, Catshill, Bromsgrove B61 9LH. Original artwork, prints and greetings cards will be available to purchase.

For more information contact Michelle on 07866 656218 or visit www.michelledoidgeart.com. You can also find Michelle on Instagram and Facebook @michelledoidgeart