Starting Friday, Metchosin and East Sooke artists are opening their doors and welcoming the public to take a peak at the process behind their masterpieces.

The 11th Stinking Fish Studio Tour, which runs until Sunday, August 12, involves 18 artists of all genres and mediums hosting open houses at their personal studios. Art lovers will be taking a self-guided tour of the studios, dropping in on artistB次元官网网址檚 workplaces, asking questions, watching demonstrations and enjoying local art.

The route starts around Duke Road and extends all through Metchosin into East Sooke, as far as Calvert Road. Along the way are potters, painters, sculptors, woodworkers, fibre artists and more.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a wonderful group of artists, a good bunch of people,B次元官网网址� painter and printmaker Lorraine Betts said.

Betts is participating in the tour for her seventh year, inviting guests into her studio at her home on Cliff Drive in Metchosin. There guests will be welcomed inside to talk to Betts, take a look at some works in progress, enjoy a demonstration and, of course, admire and perhaps purchase finished products.

As an abstract artist, Betts enjoys experimenting with colour, light and lines. She considers herself an explorer, constantly trying new things with her work and striving to never repeat herself.

While the art is a reward in and of itself, Betts said that the tour is a highlight of the year for her and the other artists, and a lovely way to interact with art appreciators.

B次元官网网址淧eople do work alone a lot, as artists, so itB次元官网网址檚 good to have that connection, communication with others,B次元官网网址� Betts said. B次元官网网址淭he best part is the people who come in, and just chatting. You talk about art but you talk about many other things as well.B次元官网网址�

Participants can make the tour whatever they want it to be.

They have 10 days to visit most of the artists, five days for some, allowing for plenty of flexibility. People can visit as many or as few artist studios as they like over that time period and can even focus on a favourite medium if they choose, for instance only visiting potters.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a very personal insight into the artistB次元官网网址檚 world, into their studio,B次元官网网址� Betts said. B次元官网网址淎nd to have a conversation, to ask about their work, how did they make it. People are so interested.B次元官网网址�

For more information, including a map of featured studios, visit StinkingFishStudioTour.com.

kwells@goldstreamgazette.com