I am a slightly messy, somewhat chaotic painter who is fortunate to have a studio of her own. About four years ago, as I outgrew my other studio I took over what was the master bedroom. Yay! (what a husband, eh?) I have outgrown that by now and long for the reconstruction of the entire attic. (yeah, right!)
Let me walk you through my space. The first photo was taken as you walk into the studio. I have placed my easel so that I can step back far (through the door and down the hallway) and I can still see the painting. I like to sneak up on my work. On the right side top is looking from the north windows. I keep the small paintings that are inspiring my current work on the wall. Below you see into two of my flat file drawers. These things saved me from myself and my messy tendencies. Four drawers have just pastels (unison, schminke, diane townsend, girault, great american, and sennelier), one has paints and palettes (watercolor and oil) and the rest of the drawers store paper and finished work. The bottom photo is my watercolor palette, it's my plein air one, I was using it today so it's out. I have a bigger one as well.
My other studio is the back of my car. I will show you that on another day.
OK, anyone else want to show their space?
29 comments:
Hi Loriann,
hey, how intersting is that! I like the idea with the drawer. Never came to my mind to use it for pastels/paints instead of paper.
Hi Astrid,
The flat files saved me. I was fortunate that a friend was throwing them out and I was there at the right moment. The pastels fit beautifully. The top of the files (about 39 inches/100 centimeters) is where I place brushes and working pastels. I store my small painting-a-days between sheets of tracing paper (inside the pads.) They are organized by type and date. I can add a photo of that as well if you want. Will you post a photo on your blog so I may learn from your studio?
cheers!
Loriann
Great studio, Loriann, and thanks for sharing these photos. I love seeing artist's workspace as well. That flat file set of drawers is fantastic and you're really fortunate since they are really expensive to purchase new. I could definitely use that kind of storage for my paper and finished work. I like your lighting setup as well.
Thanks Brian! I fully realize how fortunate I am! Will you share your studio?
Love it, Love it.
I just talked to my wife about the master bedroom and I got a definite no! However, she did say I could take over the guest bedroom. Um.
Your studio reflects the energy and passion that shows up in all your work. I've heard that a sterile studio reflects a sterile mind, obviously not the case here. Do you do your own matting or does someone do it for you? I don't see a place to do it in this studio.
Now I see how you mix the colors for your under paintings. Wow, what a palette. Close your eyes and pick an area. O yah, got to see the back of that car. Hee Hee. Thanks for sharing Buddette, I love seeing others studio space.
Your painting buddy.
HI PB!!!
Thanks your studio space is next...you know that, right?
So take the guest room, that's good too.
As far as matting, accuracy is not my forte, therefore in order to save the marriage I pay others to do that. (Paul used to help me frame...oh dear!)I do own a logan mat cutter to cut my board and mounted work. It is stored high on the book shelf.
Sorry about the palette, I knew it might make you crazy. there is a plan although others can't see it. Controlled chaos is my friend.
Back of the car soon....
hi loriann
that drawer of pastels is quiet something!
looking forward to the back of the car - mine has two child seats for the daily school runs.
paint well & enjoy yourself :-)
Hi Loriann,
next week I post a photo about my studio.
Hi Adam, I own way too many pastels, a small addiction. I will show the back of the car sometime this month. It is without child seats.
I enjoyed viewing your studio. thanks for the post.
Happy painting to you.
Hi Astrid! I look forward to seeing the inner workings of your studio.
Loriann, What great photos....thanks for sharing your studio.
I tend to tidy up once a week as my space these days is way smaller than it used to be! When I had a larger studio I kept my pastels out on those wonderful wire and wood stacking trays from Dakota Pastels......but I gave them away when I left the States, and would not have room for them here any how. My poor old pastels are packed away in plastic containers and original boxes.....(even my prized full set Schmincke wood case is being used as a table for some other junk.....thank goodness I bought that before the recession hit) and guess what......I tend to use my watercolors most of the time now, because my pastels are all packed away.
I am itching to get them out again, as I find your lovely work very inspiring.... One of my studio plans for the New Year is to work out a way of getting them out at the ready once again.
Maggie L
Well clearly, 5 pictures are worth 5 thousand words. Thanks for inviting us all into your lair; so much valuable info! It'll take me a while to get over the 4 drawers full of pastels. Why, you're a full-blown pastelaholic! But hey, who better?
Found your blog via Karen Phipps. I too enjoy seeing other's studio spaces. Thanks for share. You have a wonderful creative space!
~Kathleen Krucoff
Hi Maggie! It's so good to hear from you again! How is the teashop gallery going? you are right pastels are a challenge to store and having them out is the best way since it is then you are most likely to use them:-) The Dakota trays are good, I have some of those too. Please post your new set-up when its ready, OK?
L
Hey Sam!!!
Glad you enjoyed the pics. I confess I am a full blown pastelaholic. Life is good.
Hi Kathleen! Welcome to my blog and who better to lead you hear but Karen. Will you post your space as well?
ooooooooooo I love a peak inside others' studios! How fun!! Thanks for posting these. (yes I know, I'll put some up too soon. :) )
Tell me about that light hanging from your easel? How is it attached? What bulb?
Hi Karen! Yes, I, too, love to peak. (I will wait for yours... heehee) The light is a daylight, full spectrum light attached onto the easel by an arm that is screwed to the top of the easel. It's great. The two lights on stands make it so there isn't a shadow from my hand. There is probably a better way...but this is what I did. till later......
It is a huge treat to see fellow artists' studios! Thank you for sharing yours. It looks great and I'm so glad you have worked out the work habits.
I know what you mean. It used to be essential to have a separate space, outside of the house and I still do. However, since taking over the master bedroom for the recent open studio tour...I haven't moved back to the outside one (!). Don't you know, that has made for some interesting arrangements...
The main thing is to have some separation from the studio--to close the door for awhile (definition of space), right?
Thanks for visiting my studio Melinda!
My master bedroom takeover was a birthday gift from my husband..the best gift ever. (I didn't deprive Paul of a bedroom though. We sleep in another south facing bedroom- slightly smaller, in which we added even more windows. The master is north facing.)
I can certainly understand why you haven't moved since your open studio. Hope you get to keep it.
I want to make sure I understand your question...Do you mean to close the door while you work?
Loriann
Sounds like we all like to see others studios! I paint in what used to be our dining room. I think I should rearrange it again so I can stand even further back, into the living room, to see my paintings from afar. Thanks for sharing your space and organizational ideas.
Hi Pam! Yes, it sure does. Good luck on your rearrangement.I must say that sneaking up on my work really helps as does just standing back while working. Thanks for stopping by
Thanks for showing us your studio, Loriann! It looks like a lot of great work goes on in that room. I keeping zeroing in on that painting on the easel. Have you showed us that one? I'm wanting to see a closeup!
Thanks Janelle! Ah...you spotted the easel. I have been working/sitting with that one since July. I think it is ready and my new favorite I will post it later.
Oh, yes, Loriann, I do mean close the door while one is working, but also, to close the door when you leave for the day.
It defines the space and it defines the time--giving your right brain a rest and allowing the studio to remain 'studio', not entertainment center, or craft room, or ____fill in the blank.
When an artist works from home, her space can become co-opted by her or others, without any malice, just happens, don't you think?
I agree. What a great gift!
Hi Melinda, I need not close my door. Since it is only two of us in the house we each have our own work spaces. My studio is not used for anything else. Lucky me, eh? Occasionally a cat visits. Kinzo, my muse, is the usual suspect.
I find that walking by and seeing my work at odd times is a good way to see fresh. It is then that I often get my best ideas. Does that make sense? Often I have thought about building a studio on the land in back of the house but I wonder if that separation would stop me on rainy or cold nights at 3 am. I might think twice before just going into work. I don't always sleep through the night so I have learned to use that as bonus time.
Ah, so much to think about. I look forward to seeing your studio sometime.
Loriann
In reply to your question about sharing my own workspace, Loriann - a friend did a blog post about it last January. My "studio" is a really humble affair (especially after seeing yours!) but you can see and read about it here: http://thinking-about-art.blogspot.com/2009/01/art-workspaces-brian-mcgurgan.html
Brian, your space is impressive! I admire the amazing orderliness of the whole space. I can't seem to ever put my pastels back to the exact space. And I tend to have little squirrel piles of them rather than orderly boxes. Wow...how do you do it?
I have a similar air filter..but I don't think it's in the photo. Thanks for leading me to your post.
Thanks, Loriann! My wife sees my fussiness as "my issue" and much less of a gift than a curse. A little obsessive compulsive, I suppose... Looking forward to seeing your other studio!
Brian,If it helps .. your habits remind me of Richard McKinley. He has pristine and orderly work spaces... you should see his box... the envy of all.Not to mention, he is the god of pastel. So enjoy your gift.
PS My husband is the same way and my chaos makes him slightly nuts. When I read to him that he is supposed to have one drawer that is chaotic he replied, "you are that drawer." There is a flip side to everything.
happy painting!
My studio door is now open...
Welcome.
http://pastellbilder.blogspot.com/2009/12/my-studio-mein-atelier.html
Loriann, just got through posting pics of my studio on todays post in my blog (Dec 17).
Maggie
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