The Open Studios Art Tour gives people a chance to visit artists where they work.

To penetrate some of Monterey County’s art scene secrets one needs a map.

Each year, the map produced for the Open Studios Art Tour tempts viewers with the promise of finding an unexpected piece and an unfamiliar artist – or many. You need the map to find out that around the corner from Compagno’s Deli in Monterey lives Bubba, a preternatural 6-foot-4-inch-tall human figure made of raku (specialized clay fired and rapidly smoked using a traditional Japanese technique) and bronze, supported by a skeleton of steel.

“He has been waiting to be seen for 40 years,” says artist Nancy Larkin, who created Bubba and other figures as her MFA project – then waited for the right place and the right time to be introduced.

Larkin is one of dozens of artists opening their studios and homes to art lovers for two weekends, wrapping up Sept. 19-20. The Weekly visited with just a few participating artists.

Nancy Larkin, Monterey (sculpture, mixed media)

Most proud of: Her MFA project she is showing after 40 years.

Pieces for sale: Her humongous statues are waiting for the right buyer; she has fun miniature versions on compressible springs for sale.

What can one learn from visiting your studio: “Everyone talks about helping children, but my art is inspired by old people. Bubba was someone I knew from when we lived near a care home; he had elephantine arms.”

Thomas Whent, Monterey (acrylics on canvas with added collage elements)

Most proud of: “My Wharf paintings, as they bring a smile to the faces of the people who purchase them.”

What can one learn from visiting your studio: “Collectors coming to my studio learn how time-consuming the details are to complete a piece of this nature.”

Donna Robbins, Monterey (oil)

Most proud of: “That after 20 years, I still experience improvement and growth in the quality of my work. I’m still excited to get out and paint on location. You get to really see nature; I mean, seeing it like you’ve never seen it before.”

Pieces for sale: Over 50 finished paintings are on display.

What can one learn from visiting your studio: “A little bit about the French Impressionist movement, as they were plein air painters painting on location as I am. I answer all kinds of questions, the most often asked: ‘How long does it take to create a painting?’ and, ‘How do you get the shadows painted when the shadows move so fast?’” (To get the answers, just show up.)

Bunny Sutton Paivine, Salinas (acrylic paint)

Most proud of: “Many of my paintings come from a painting class I teach. I volunteer at Prunedale Senior Center. Teaching senior citizens has changed the way I paint. I can now say I excel in finger painting. And I try to use a palette knife most of the time. Oh, it’s so much fun.”

Pieces for sale: Ten originals plus 15 giclee prints on canvas, as well as greeting cards.

What can one learn from visiting your studio: “My art studio is located in my backyard in a picturesque oak grove – truly the inspiration for my creativity. It’s a quiet place in nature, away from the city noises.”

Nikki Hoff, Carmel (charcoal, pastels, painting, sculpture and digital sculpture)

Most proud of: “I love to use one-source lighting with my charcoal so I can create dramatic elements in my art. I am proud of my commitment to explore art in different realms and different mixed media. I love my charcoal collection and creating stories that are whimsical, like my ‘Idiom’ series that is a collection of historical and social sayings put into art form.”

Pieces for sale: Twelve pieces in the Carl Cherry Center for the Arts (from the “Idiom” series) and other landscapes.

What can one learn from visiting your studio: “Viewers can experience a unique and different perspective of art with my charcoal collection. These are stories in art.”

Kiran Kamath, Carmel (acrylic, mixed media)

Most proud of: “The progress I have made. I began learning how to paint in January 2020. I did my first exhibition last year, just five years since I first put paint to canvas.”

Pieces for sale: A selection of 40 works.

What can one learn from visiting your studio: Sometimes it’s less about the technical story and more about an impression: “My paintings are joyful, colorful and uplifting.”

Trudi Burney, Pacific Grove (ceramics)

Most proud of: “The variety of my body of work, from garden sculptures to functional ware.”

Pieces for sale: “Over 100 – I’ve been busy.”

What can one learn from visiting your studio: Expect live demonstrations showing various techniques.

OPEN STUDIOS ART TOUR 11am-5pm Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 19-20. Various locations. Free. (831) 622-9060, arts4mc.org/open-studios-art-tour.