“If you go down to the woods today, you’re in for a big surprise…” The nursery rhyme couldn’t be more fitting for one quiet Stratton cul-de-sac, where artist Joanna Scislowicz spends her days working inside a large, purpose-built studio filled with colour, texture and light.
The story behind the studio is as striking as her paintings. Joanna smiles as she recalls: “My fiancé loved me so much he built it for me!”
She is not alone in having such support. Fellow artist Aradhna Rastogi, who lives in Wroughton, has her own creative space thanks to her husband Praveen, who transformed their garage into a fully insulated studio when her paints and canvases began taking over the family home.
Both women are among the 140 artists and craftspeople set to open their doors as part of Swindon Open Studios this September, an event which gives the public the chance to meet creators, explore workshops and discover art in every corner of the town.
Joanna’s passion for painting began as a child in Poland. After more than a decade of study, she gained a Master’s degree in Fine Art from Poznań. Her bold oil paintings, influenced by the likes of Rothko, Anish Kapoor and Antony Gormley, have been exhibited internationally – from Berlin and Budapest to Los Angeles and London.
Her move to Swindon was an unexpected one. She had been preparing to return to London when her fiancé Bryan promised to build her the studio of her dreams. She chose Swindon, and the pair now live in a beautifully renovated home with a landscaped garden that wouldn’t look out of place in a magazine spread.
Aradhna’s journey has been different, but no less inspiring. With a family background in jewellery making – her father was a goldsmith – her work often incorporates delicate touches of gold leaf. She began drawing henna patterns at just five years old, but it wasn’t until later in life that she took up painting seriously.
Encouraged by a colleague at Lethbridge Primary School, where she works, Aradhna began producing more and more art. When her hobby began to spill across the dining table and living room, Praveen stepped in to create a dedicated space for her. “For me, it was a dream come true,” she says.
Now, with her family’s support, she paints most evenings, often starting with careful charcoal studies before moving on to richly detailed works. Her subjects range from a Kingfisher in flight to a Spanish Flamenco dancer, each piece showing her Indian heritage in different ways.
Both Joanna and Aradhna will welcome visitors into their studios during Swindon Open Studios, a free community event which brings together professional artists and enthusiastic amateurs alike. Whether self-taught or formally trained, the 140 participants share one thing: a love of creativity.
The event runs throughout September, and guides are available at local libraries, cafés and pubs – or online at www.swindonopenstudios.org.
