THIS weekend is the perfect time to get out and explore Dorset's countryside - and also pop in on some of the county's top artistic talent as well.

We are now midway through Dorset Art Weeks and artists are reporting hundreds of people flocking into their studios and galleries to see, chat about and buy their works.

Rosemary Wareham is exhibiting the beautiful botanical watercolours of artist Sandy Shaw at her house in Fordington, Dorchester. Sandy died of cancer earlier this year and her paintings are going on sale to raise funds for the Joseph Weld Hospice.

Rosemary said: "Sandy was a very good friend of mine and this seemed to be the best way of showing appreciation for the people who helped her when she was ill."

As well as her paintings, Rosemary will also be selling cards and gift boxes with Sandy's designs.

You can see Sandy's work at 11 High Street, Fordington, Dorchester, DT1 1JZ (DAW number 214).

Award-winning Upwey artist Fiona Robinson is also opening her studio this coming week.

Last year Fiona, whose line and wash work resembles the fine lines found in quality marble, won the prestigious University of Bath Painting Prize. This year, she has been awarded a residency at The Cill Rialaig Project in the Ballinskelligs in Kerry, a studio in a really remote area of the Gaeltacht overlooking the Atlantic.

Cill Rialaig is an artist colony founded by Noelle Cambell-Sharpe and Fiona said: "I am really excited about the location particularly because both my parents were Irish, from Cork, but my father's family came from the Ring of Kerry."

You can see Fiona's work this coming week at her studio at South Mill, Mill Street, Upwey, Weymouth DT3 5DN (DAW number 224) and at Lighthouse Arts Centre, Kingland Road, Poole BH15 1UG from tomorrow until Saturday, July 5.

Tiara maker Andrea Frankham Hughes is also holding a series of tiara-making workshops in her studios from today until, Sunday, June 1 between 11am and 5pm and again on Friday to Sunday, June 6 to 8 between 11am and 5pm. Instruction is free and the jewellery kits cost from £6. Other opening times can be arranged by appointment: phone Andrea on 07971 058336.

You can see Andrea's work in her studio in The Tower, Southwell Business Park, Portland DT5 2NL. (DAW number 237). Please note the studio has no disabled access.