Since one commenter requested photos of my studio, I quickly took several shots and posted it below, but I didn't have time to give a commentary....so... here we go: We built the studio when we moved to Vermont in 1979. It is attached to our house, and it is 16'x20'. From the doorway (bottom photo), I am looking towards the north side, where we have a big window that starts about 8' off the floor. This gives us great light. North light is constant. It doesn't change, and since we paint basically paint from life, and we are painting an illusion of light, the light on the subject (flowers, people, whatever) has to be the same. Jack built the cabinets,that you see under the window, around 1990. Our growing collection of props and materials are housed behind these doors. On top of the cabinets, you can see some of my casts.
My easel (present this year) stands on the west side of the room. You can see my still life table with its faux marble top and painting storage racks below. Jack built this, too. I set up still life here, as well as on the dresser to the right of this. So, my light usually come from the above right, unless I get to set up on the other side of the room. Jack also built the painting storage racks to the left of the still life table. Storage is a problem if you are a prolific painter.
On the east side of the room is Jack's easel with a landscape that he is working up from one of his plein air studies. The study is on my old easel which is to the right of this. You can see our skeleton, some pigments, a model stand which is covered with boxes of mat board at the moment, and another storage thing with props in front of a door to the outside.
On the south side, there is a shelf that runs across the room with more stored paintings, and yes, you guessed it....Jack built this, too. You can also see our water heater, the huge frame that was on one of Jack's large paintings that hung in the store, some mahl sticks and a dart board (go figure). The quote that runs along the bottom of the shelf is by J. M. Whistler and reads:
As music is the poetry of sound, so is painting the poetry of sight.
Since I consider myself a poetic realist, this quote says it all. I love quotes and have them around the studio for inspiration and help.
So, that's my studio...somewhat messy, somewhat disorganized, somewhat corny, but with dramatic light that lends mystery and importance to somewhat ordinary objects.
My easel (present this year) stands on the west side of the room. You can see my still life table with its faux marble top and painting storage racks below. Jack built this, too. I set up still life here, as well as on the dresser to the right of this. So, my light usually come from the above right, unless I get to set up on the other side of the room. Jack also built the painting storage racks to the left of the still life table. Storage is a problem if you are a prolific painter.
On the east side of the room is Jack's easel with a landscape that he is working up from one of his plein air studies. The study is on my old easel which is to the right of this. You can see our skeleton, some pigments, a model stand which is covered with boxes of mat board at the moment, and another storage thing with props in front of a door to the outside.
On the south side, there is a shelf that runs across the room with more stored paintings, and yes, you guessed it....Jack built this, too. You can also see our water heater, the huge frame that was on one of Jack's large paintings that hung in the store, some mahl sticks and a dart board (go figure). The quote that runs along the bottom of the shelf is by J. M. Whistler and reads:
As music is the poetry of sound, so is painting the poetry of sight.
Since I consider myself a poetic realist, this quote says it all. I love quotes and have them around the studio for inspiration and help.
So, that's my studio...somewhat messy, somewhat disorganized, somewhat corny, but with dramatic light that lends mystery and importance to somewhat ordinary objects.
1 comment:
Your studio is part of one of my very early memories from life. :) I remember having to stand for what seemed like hours beside mom and pose for that painting you did. And I always had to wear the same scratchy jumper each time. Ugh! And I remember the day that a photo was taken of the scene (since we were moving away) and I that was to be the end of the live sittings! Now, I am so happy that we have that beautiful painting, and of course, glad that everyone made me stand there. :)
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