There's something about meeting an artist, asking questions, discussing the work, that is just plain thrilling.
So prepare to be thrilled over the next two weekends with the Fall Open Studio Tours.
More than 250 artists plan to open their studios and greet visitors curious about their work.
The first weekend, Oct. 27-28, you can check out the artists south of River Road.
Among them: Architect and retired University of Arizona Professor Chuck Albanese, whose watercolors pull you into the scenes he paints; Jesse Berlin, whose sculptures can be as bizarre as they are stunning; Maria Arvayo, whose encaustic landscape paintings are chock-full of atmosphere; and Kami Boufelfel, whose woven works are ravishing.
On the second weekend, Nov. 3-4, artists north of River Road get their turn.
Among them: Cheri Anderson, who creates gorgeous nature photography; Nikki Dilbeck, who embraces color with her enticing abstract paintings; Paul Gibbs, whose work has an added dimension thanks to the use of metal as her canvas; and Alan Potter, who makes ceramic sculptures that are whimsical and intricate.
Find artists and locations for the self-guided tours at openstudiotours.com
