My brother Tom produces traditionally and meticulously developed works in oil , usually working on very large canvases in his studio in Toronto. Understandably, he creates smaller works to fit in our Hanover House. We also have had visiting friend artists in previous years who produce pieces ranging from soft sculpture to landscapes in sea-glass, as well as my daughter and her fiancée producing abstract pieces paintings. The family involvement in the arts continues, with my sister writing books and my daughter Poppy starting a job at the Tate this week. My father-in-law is a prolific knitter (having previously been a Civil Engineer) and we included some of his 'Knitted Friends' in our show last year, with a large percentage of the profits from their sales going to the Children’s Society.
Apart from my personal raison d'etre, the additional impetus to 'open' was to give our family a focal point whereby we could all get together on an annual basis. As with many families nowadays we are rather 'far flung'. My brother lives in Toronto, my sister commutes between Ireland and South Africa and many of our friends live in far off places all over England, Ireland and America. The Annual Open House has been a wonderful excuse for people to get together. Sadly my parents are no longer with us, but I hope the tradition will continue!

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