Ex-rocker turned Artist opens West Bay studio for May Art event. Tom Katz is used to playing lead guitar to stadiums of 60,000 people in an internationally successful Glam-Rock band, but these days he just plays music for fun, having returned to his first love – painting. Katz had a 30 year career in music, toured the world, and enjoyed living the Rock Star lifestyle. But ten years ago he realised that he had another calling, and made the brave decision to start from scratch as a Fine Artist.
It turns out to have been the right choice, for Katz is now a well respected painter, using his West Bay apartment as a studio for creating his powerful abstract paintings, and has become a key figure in the nationally recognised Bridport Art Scene.
Tom Katz is one of 35 artists exhibiting in the May Open Studios event this coming weekend. The Open event runs for the three days of the May Bank Holiday and invites the public to explore dozens of artists studios, with the chance to discover recent works by established artists and emerging talents from Bridport and other towns and villages across West Dorset.
Bridport is now becoming one of the most popular art destination in the West Country, mainly led by the explosion of activity at the St Michael's Studio complex on the former rope-making trading estate, which has also been at the centre of controversial redevelopment proposals.
Half of the artists in the Open event work at the St Michael's Studio complex, in the distinctive red brick Bridport Industries building. They include painters Kit Glaisyer with his recent series of large-scale romantic landscapes, idiosyncratic surrealist paintings by John Charlesworth, recent figurative paintings by popular portrait painter John Rabbetts, pastoral and classic scenes by painter Andrew Leppard, large abstract paintings by Ian Dunn, graphic works by David Brooke and Jemma Thompson, landscapes by Marion Taylor, John Boyd and John Charlesworth, figurative works by Jo Barnes and Paul Richmond, drawings by Petra Hughes and semi-abstract paintings by Anna Sullock.
Download Map of Open Studios
Also in Bridport, visit abstract painter Mart Tebbs on St Andrews Road. Head north out of town and you'll encounter painter Jean George in Salway Ash, then in nearby Waytown you'll find sculptor Oliver Strong, as well as painters Nicola Leader and Penny Strong, plus textile artists Wendy Hermelin and Jennifer Francis. Just before Broadwindsor you'll find the studios of renowned sculptor and painter Carolyne Kardia.
Head east from Bridport towards Powerstock where you'll find allegorical paintings by David Risk Kennard, and on the way visit the popular plein-air painter Michael J Chappel at Mangerton Mill as well as print-maker Jemma Hibbs in West Milton. Keep heading towards Dorchester, and you'll come across textile artist Jennie Knight in Higher Wynford Eagle.
In nearby West Bay are two abstract painters, Jon Adam with his vibrant skyscapes at the Old Timberyard, and Tom Katz with his rich impasto cliff-like paintings on the Esplanade. There's also minimalist landscape paintings by highly acclaimed artist Alex Lowery at the beautiful Sladers Yard gallery in the old boat-building warehouse.
Heading out along the coast road to Abbotsbury you'll discover several artists including Mary-Clare Buckle, Marie Laywine, Debbie Veitch as well as the Dansel Gallery; all of whom are also taking part in Abbotsbury Art Week (21-31 May).
The May Open Studios runs from Sat 23 to Mon 25 May, 10-6pm. Full details can be found on-line at www.bridport.org and you can pick up a map of participating venues from Tourist Information, the Bridport Arts Centre and St Michael's Studios.
