The annual ARTSI Open Studios Weekend was held on August 17-18, offering art lovers a unique opportunity to to see the art where it starts! Prestigious Shelter Island artists opened their studios to the public, presenting a behind-the-gallery scene.  Guests had the chance to meet the art professionals, including painters, photographers, printmakers, digital artists, ceramists and sculptors. In case you missed it, KDHamptons joined the studio tour to catch a glimpse of some great artwork on the island….

Participating artists included: Roz Dimon, Victor Friedman, Amy Grabelsky, Katherine Hammond, Karen Kiaer, Mary Larsen, Diana Malcolmson, Bob Markell, Randy Osofsky, Kia Pederson, Linda Puls, Olive Reich, Peter Waldner, and Mike Zisser.

KDHamptons first ventured into the spectacular studio of Roz Dimon (above), a painter and digital media artist who creates interactive portraits that you can view online at dimonscapes.com.  Here’s a peak inside Roz Dimon’s Studio below:

Next, we visited the studio of Diana Malcolmson, who paints and sketches horses and landscapes in and around Shelter Island. In 1986, she founded Hampshire Farms Equestrian Center Ltd. on Shelter Island where she taught the local island children to ride.  She now she pursues her love of painting horses full time.  Here are some of our favorite paintings:

We also stopped by the studio of Amy Grabelsky who makes clay sculptures of fantasy creations. Dragons and mermaids decorated her mythical backyard and pool.  We also loved her beautiful bird baths!  Check out some of her work:

The next stop on the tour was to the studio of Mary Larsen, a young artist who grew up on Shelter Island and creates surreal abstractions with pencil, watercolor, fine ink, and paint.  Her work is eery, sexy, scary, and beautiful at the same time:

Next stop? The studio of the established photographer, Victor Friedman, who has been capturing pictures for over forty years and his work is featured in museums all over the world.  He takes photos of everything from NYC street scenes to landscapes and seascapes.  Check out his photography below:

Lastly, our tour ended at the studio of Katherine Hammond, who creates abstract journey paintings with watercolor, ink, and crayon. She shares, “The child in me remains while I paint. I please only me with my paintings. If my paintings please you, then the child in you has awakened.”  Here are some of her pieces:

For more information on ARTSI and the artists involved go to www.artsi.info