Even artists think some galleries can be stuffy.

“When you go into a gallery, it can sometimes be a little cold,” said Robert Abele, who was one of several Dartmouth artists recently featured on the 12th annual South Coast Artists Open Studio Tour on Sunday. “This is much more approachable. They can come up shake the hand of the artist, see the work, talk about the pieces — usually you don’t see the artist in the gallery.”

The tour provides an avenue for art fans to connect with more than 60 artists. Though many of the stops on the Open Studio Tour were found in Westport, Tiverton and Little Compton, Dartmouth had its share of artists with paintings on display.

“We’ve had close to 200 people in the last two days. It’s been great,” said Abele.

In addition to his own body of work, Abele teaches art at the Westport Art Group, where he leads groups to paint outdoors.

“It’s called en plein air. It means to paint directly from nature at the first indirect light. It started with the Impressionists. They took their work outside the studio. Their dialogue became nature and how they perceived it while the sun was moving, the wind was blowing and people were talking to them.”

He used this technique to create his paintings featured during the studio tour, many of which depicted scenes from around Dartmouth.

Across town, Sarah Benham Spongberg had her paintings on display in her studio on Rock O’Dundee Road. Spongberg has an affinity for art that explores a narrative or an implied narrative, and many of her paintings include groups of people locked in conversation.

She’s also worked as a photographer, and some of the photos she’s taken over the years of her friends have become the starting point for her drawings.

“I’ve always wanted people to look at my paintings and project their own lives into them. I think that’s the way you engage with art,” said Spongberg. “I like being able to look at a painting and have my own life experience somehow relate to the experience in the painting — even if it’s abstract.”

Over at Salt Marsh Pottery, Stephen Remick and JP Powel had art on display. Margot Green from Westport stopped by to purchase what she estimates is either or sixth or seventh painting from Powel.

“I think he has a good technique,” said Green. “It seems to be effortless, but I’m sure it required a great deal of attention. You can just tell he loves what he’s going.”

Powel’s works ranged from pastorals to figure drawings. Green purchased a painting of a tan female figure set against a vibrant green background. She plans to display it in her living room.

Powel said that people from around the country attend the studio tour. This year he met people from Chicago and Minnesota.

“Personally, I love interacting with the public,” said Powel. “All their comments and reactions range from bewilderment to boredom to high excitement. It’s a wonderful event.”

Kat Bruce, a resident of Bourne, was working her way along the various stops with her friends. She began in Padanaram and planned to end in Tiverton. As a watercolorist, Bruce was attending the event in search of some inspiration.

“I need to do more of it,” said Bruce, regarding her painting. “It’s one of those things you think you can put off because everything else is more important. I find I can’t paint unless my checkbook’s balanced, my house is clean. Then I can go paint.”

“When you do, you lose yourself totally. It’s like getting lost with a paintbrush.”

For those who missed the first set of dates, the 12th Annual Open Studio Tour will return on Aug. 15 and 16.