Thursday, January 14, 2010

Studio Envy

I always find it fascinating to learn more about the artists that I admire and to see what goes into the creation of their art. The creative process, use of supplies and techniques, and source of inspiration is quite intriguing to me. And for me, the artist studio - the place the magic happens - is a wonderland and a feast.



I have recently purchased two books that I highly recommend, both of which open a window into the studio spaces of some amazing artists. Turning the pages in these books is almost like having a personal invitation into their inner sanctums.

Art Making & Studio Spaces: Unleash Your Inner Artist: An Intimate Look at 31 Creative Work Spaces

Art Making & Studio Spaces by Lynne Perrella

Inside the Painter's Studio

Inside the Painter's Studio by Joe Fig

And speaking of studios...this theme brings me back to one of my survey questions from the 3rd edition of The Pulse in 2008:

Where does the magic happen? Tell us about the studio, room, corner, desk, table, floor, or wall where you make art and show us one photograph which somehow captures your creative space or a work in progress.


You can visit/revisit the responses of over 95 artists by clicking the following links:

Studio Shots 1
Studio Shots 2
Studio Shots 3
Studio Shots 4

38 comments:

studio pashnada said...

I just moved twice in November and haven't had the time or space to create since then. But I finally finished setting up my studio and voila! I made something!!!

I can't wait to find out more about these books becuz, like you, I know it's as much about the space & the stuff as anything else.

~ Sherry

Ro Bruhn said...

I too love seeing where others create. Lynne's book arrived at our place two days before Christmas so it's been great holiday reading.

studio pashnada said...

Thanks Seth for commenting on my blog. That great shelf was a gift my husband designed to fit all my nifty containers.

Harnett-Hargrove said...

Voyeurism.... I love it. -J

Dawn said...

awesome, seth! I LOVE seeing other people's spaces...especially since mine is an over-packed desk and things shoved on a bookshelf in my room :)

Lisa Hoffman said...

Ah, the inner sanctum.
It helps to have a professional photog attack the image and airbrush the space like it was a contestant on AMERICA'S TOP MODEL.
*whispers*...
"...does she REALLY look that good?!?..."

Shelly Hickox said...

Oooh, you lured me into temptation! I had some Amazon gc $$ burning a hole in my pocket and bought Lynne Perella book and also one by Ruth Rae! My New Year's resolution is to get my studio in some kind of order instead of it looking like such a rat hole - I'm hoping the studio book gives me some much-needed inspiration. I love all the different pics you have of others studios.

P.S. I'm glad you like your snowflakes! :-)

Gwen Buchanan said...

Thanks Seth, I loved snooping around in everyone's studios again... something I'd never tire of!!!

Leslie Avon Miller said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Leslie Avon Miller said...

Perfect timing Seth! As the next phase of construction is happening in my studio, I am thinking ahead to next steps - how to set it all up, and how to finish floors and walls. Since I've moved into painting larger, I don't see the space being showcase like, but a place where the paint can flow. Thank you for all the facilitation you do among artists connected in the blogosphere.

femminismo said...

Oh, I wish I could get organized enough to even want someone to see my "studio." Thanks for linking these books, though. I'm sure they have good ideas on how to make it work.

Anonymous said...

I too purchased Lynne Perella's book, Seth and it gives insight into how other artists work - the set up, the resources and the organisation. It made me rethink my set up and I re-arranged two of my desks. I wish I had room for a comfortable reading chair and a book case. But I am rethinking my cube shelving's use, although not quite big enough to take the taller books. Haven't heard of Joe Fig.
Anne Baldwin's book on techniques, Creative Paintshop for Mixed Media Artists, which I wrote about in an earlier post, is also inspiring.

Lawendula said...

There is something strange about me. Although I have a studio, my daughter calls it "the art room" (instead of a living room, that we all three do not need), I like to make art in BED. This is my favorite place. of course not for water colors and felting, but for doing collages, knitting, embroidery and other needleworks.
Most of the times I shift between bed, desk and studio table. And between spinning wheel and the place for felting.
As one can imagine, my bedplace is a great chaos with books and collage material, but I like it that way.

Lucky Dip Lisa said...

Thanks for reposting the links, some of us are a little behind:) lol.I enjoy seeing other people's studios!

Gillian McMurray said...

What do you know! I'm in the middle of reorganising my 'studio' space. This post is going to remind me of all those studio ideas I had forgotten.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Wow, Seth. I just wrote a blog post on organizing today. Although I haven't had time to follow your links, I plan to do just that later today. Any time I can learn about others' studios, I soon realize what would work for me. Can't wait to check out these links. Like your other collaborations, I know they will produce some pretty amazing responses.

Caterina Giglio said...

there is such fascination for us here, and so nice to see how others cope with storage and work space. thanks for this, Seth!

Lisa said...

Great post Seth! It's always great to see where others create though i wonder what what the pics would look like if studios were photographed while "in use"...

Lynne's book is a real inpsiration too.

Karin Bartimole said...

It is fascinating to see where people carve out their creative niches. I've learned that it really can happen anywhere, and sometimes the challenge of limited space brings greatest invention and creative discovery.
Your studio posts are favorites of mine :)

nancy neva gagliano said...

AMAZING SPACES, AMAZING GRACES
you have put together
a wealth here, just clicking
onto the studio sites...
feeling the energy!

Jessica W. said...

Love this post. It's so inspiring to see where other artists create. It's interesting to see how different we are as artists - some people need organization to create (i know i do) while others are inspired by the chaos of their studios. And i'm envious of those who have studios in their garden.

Margaret said...

Ah the concept of space, what it would be to have a whole room to myself!! I alternate between the kitchen, my writing desk (groaning with stuff and Ikea storage systems) the dining room table and the floor! I'm ever hopeful of a lottery win... Mx

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

As promised, I read each and every post this morning. I'm so impressed that all but one person sent a photo of their art, garden, or studio. It speaks volumes for your ability to ask great questions and glean answers (and photos) from artists. I was struck by how some people had to stand to make art (as do I), while others choose to sit. I was impressed that some spoke about zones. I was even more impressed that those who felt comfortable working in clutter and chaos, did so because it made them happy. What a wonderful collection of artists studios.

Anonymous said...

i have always wanted to share my " art womb" with my online buddies-- i am a computer nimrod; and don't know how to put my photos on the internet-- i am going to try to describe it and hopefully get the escence of my wonderful cocoon to you--i like organized chaos--i enjoy "tachkas" all over---from the ceiling--beautiful, lightweight different sized paper butterflies float around me--also, from the ceiling, are hung especially designed by me Vietnamese lanterns--wonderful colors and fabric--i am unable to go outside very much because i am disabled--luckily my condo has a loft which has been turned into my studio--an incredible dreamland fantasy--i have lots of shelving, and i am pretty much organized--BUT I STILL NEED MORE ROOM !!! because i am basically at home -- i know almost every product and new technique that comes out and somehow slips quietly into this beautiful room of creation-- i say DOWN with paypal--makes it too easy to buy and fill up the studio--creating still hides among all of this fantasy-- when i do have my art blocks or i am really trying to get away from the world--i crawl upstairs and get lost among my butterflies and lanterns--hope that you can visualize alittle bit of my wonderland--i believe that when there is fun or beauty in a studio no matter how chaotic--it can jump start little ideas that fly around in your heart and soul---a change of subject--please help with anything you can spare for Haiti's unfortunate people--i don't usually "beg" --i believe our money should stay to help our own people and country--but, i have been to Haiti and seen the poverty-- especially when one has visited an area, a little piece stays in your mind for ever--the Haitians were in a bad way before-now, i can't even think about what it is like---horrific---sam

Jill Zaheer said...

Thanks for sharing those wonderful books! Love looking at people's work spaces-their areas for thinking, creating and exploration! So glad to be able to have a second chance at looking at where art takes place from the participants in your 3rd Edition of the Pulse!

Bridgette Guerzon Mills said...

i've been reading Joe Fig's book and have gotten so much out of the interview questions. Especially the last 2 questions. I highly recommend this book.

deb said...

I am smiling, I just ordered one of those books myself, as the insulation is nearly finished and the new walls about to go up in my space, I am thinking about how I want it to look/function... a little wierd eh?

Artsnark said...

Fantastic! Loved looking around the spaces

ArtPropelled said...

I agree, seeing other artists studios is extremely inspiring and Lynnes book is brilliant!

BTW, Lynne Perrella is having a giveaway on my blog today.

Jen Crossley said...

Oh how I dream of a studio I must confess I dont have one the dining room table for me makes eating meals more exciting with drill bits,metal files its awesome fun

Erika C. said...

Thank you for the inspiration, Seth! I am going to look for those books and have enjoyed looking at your list of artist studios. It is wonderful to see what an incredible range of spaces there are, to fit the individual needs of each artist.

We have moved several times and this time is the first time that I have actually had a studio, a lovely room with a window overlooking the yard, that is part of a converted garage. The funny thing is that, though I always wanted a studio, I didn't actually start really working in there until we had lived here for three years.

I am someone who likes to do many different things and I was writing and making music more than art.

But now I am inspired to begin to sort through my studio and let go of some of the materials and art work that no longer serve me.

Sorry to go on so long but you have inspired me. Thank you!

warmly,
Erika

Patti Edmon Artist said...

yeah, yeah, studio envy! mostly about neatness:) Is that top photo from your organized studio?

Unknown said...

I have been curled up the past couple of weeks pouring over the pages of Art Making and Studio spaces.

studio envy for sure!

Renee Howell said...

Loving all the photos of studio work space. All so clean, organized and lovely. A dream space in my reality of clutter, and mess, and 'where did I put THAT'

Chris said...

You make me happy with these! I'm loving my knew studio space1 I spent all day there, and it works great for me. I always love to see others' studios. Thanks, Seth!

Erika C. said...

Thanks for visiting my blog Seth and for your supportive thoughts.

love,
Erika

Marit said...

Aaaahhhh, I'm frustrated 'cause I haven't much time to create these last weeks... and seeing this my fingers itch... I'll put all the inspiration in the back of my mind (and a little notebook in case my mind blows) and use it ALL further in the year! Thanks again guys!

Anonymous said...

I want to thank you again for bringing all these artists together in one place...I have so enjoyed seeing all the studio photos and reading about the various artists.
Mary L