Westerly Design studio tour

Yesterday, Karen Gerhardt opened up her home to ten, lucky, local hobbyists for a studio tour and turtle painting party. 

I rode up with Heather Malone and Syd Stocker.

We were the first to arrive, but just barely. As soon as everyone was assembled, Karen took us up to her studio.

It's a big, bright, beautiful space.

photo by Heather Malone

Almost immediately, everyone whipped out their phones and started taking pictures.

There is just so much to see.

Most of Karen's collection lives here. 

There's little bit of everything, from custom glazed chinas to...

to original finish Breyers.

There are resin masters of all her sculptures...

including bits and pieces that became Breyers....

and some of those Breyers themselves.

We also got to look at her newest piece, Meridian, the Irish Draught.

He is fabulous.

At one point, Teresa Buzzell elbowed me and pointed at Karen's top-half only Cleveland Bay resin. She asked, "Wasn't that unpainted last time we were here?"

I couldn't remember, so we asked Karen. She said, yes, he was naked until 2020, when she painted him for a certain online show. Heh.

Of course, this isn't just a collection room. It's also a working studio.

We peeked into the airbrush spray booth, 

photo by Heather Malone

ogled the china molds...

and checked out the china painting station.

Oh yes, snot on glass. I remember this.

After we'd had a chance to look around, Karen gave us a quick overview of the china pouring...

and piecing processes.

I will share most of what we learned in upcoming posts.

Finally, because Karen is the way she is, there were also some fun giveaways. I didn't get anything from this pile, but don't worry. I did not go home empty handed.

I think most of us could have happily spent the entire day checking out the wonders of Karen's studio.

photo by Heather Malone

But the turtles were waiting.

Eventually, we headed back downstairs.

It was time to get this painting party started!