CHICAGO — The 85th installment of a series in which artists send in a photo and a description of their workspace. Want to take part? Submit your studio — just check out the submission guidelines.
David Roy, Inglewood, California (site)
This is a pinhole photograph of my old studio. It was a fenced-in porch in a house I was living in. Even though it was pretty small and makeshift, I really liked this space because of the ample ventilation and natural light. I also had a good view of the outside while I worked. This photo of my favorite workspace reminds of the importance of being able to adapt and set up shop wherever you can.
Ray Castaneda, Kennewick, Washington
This is the third bedroom in the house I rent, and is where I spend the majority of my time at home, whether I am working or just relaxing in one of the big chairs. I paint primarily in oil and keep several projects going at once, utilizing every bit of space, including the floor. I found a beat up old desk and refinished it and painted it TV yellow. I love how it makes the room feel. The walls are covered completely, it makes me feel at home. The laundry room next door is spacious and serves for working with large canvasses.
David Penne, Annapolis, Maryland (site)
A garage is attached to my house here, and that is wherewhere I’ve set up shop to draw and paint pictures. The garage measures 10 feet by 22 feet, not exactly huge (especially since it also serves as storage space for garden tools, Christmas decorations, bicycles, etc., and is also a workshop for household projects, and is also my office. But since that’s what I’ve got, it will have to do. I don’t know how it affects my artwork. It is handy, however, having a studio attached to my house. Someday, since the garage doesn’t have any windows, it would be nice to cut a few in. And it would be nice to get some heat in there for the winters. But for now the garage pretty much serves its purpose, a place to keep busy.
Karrie Jackson, San Diego, California (site)
The open air studio where I paint is the back garden of my home, which is situated in a little valley in the East County of San Diego. Although much smaller, it is reminiscent of my childhood home in the forest of Colorado. The earth has been a long-time inspiration of my work and life. Being in direct contact with the dirt under my bare feet and surrounded by trees while I paint greatly inspires the sensory nature of my landscape paintings. I like to set up the easel in the early morning after watering the grounds, and sit for a moment warming up my eyes by observing the Renoir-like light patterns hitting the ivy.
I came across this place after an unexpected year-long bout of homeless couch surfing while earning my Masters and studying to teach high school-level visual art. Someone needed help and had a home, and I needed a home and was willing to help. It has been about three and a half years now. It is here that my presence makes it possible for an 85-year-old lady to remain living in her home, and the space gives me the wherewithal to teach art part-time, serve as a guest teaching-artist, and create my own body of work. I have direct observational experience soaking the earth with water, re-forming the bushes, and hauling away avocado leaves. I dance between the keeping of the grounds and painting them. Perhaps it is the welcoming spirit of the place that inspires me the most.
Pawel Przewlocki, Boston, Massachusetts (site)
I recently moved out from a proper studio I had for a few years. Having gone back to college to focus on academics, I resigned myself to making smaller paintings in my new place in Boston. I have a little corner in my bedroom where I neatly keep all my art supplies. When I schedule a painting session, my room turns into a little studio. Upon finishing a piece, it’s clean up time and any evidence of art-making is erased.
My most recent work starts at the Macbook. I “sketch” on a very user-friendly architectural rendering program and then I print out my ideas. After drafting the drawing onto a panel the painting begins. Hours of mixing paint, taping off sections and blowdrying go into each little piece. Music is integral to my labor, which is why I still use my parents old hi-fi Panasonic stereo system. The sound is incredible. As long as I have my Spotify, candy, Red Bull, and black tea, I’m good to go.
