A View From the Easel
“Music is a crucial part of my routine, guiding me into an unconscious, fluid state where ideas emerge freely.”
Welcome to the 257th installment of A View From the Easel, a series in which artists reflect on their workspace. This week, artists cultivate a library of paper, teach free Chinese painting classes, and adorn their studio with collected objects.
Want to take part? Check out our submission guidelines and share a bit about your studio with us through this form! All mediums and workspaces are welcome, including your home studio.
Betsy Stirratt, Bloomington, Indiana
Describe an average day in your studio.
My studio is in my home, so I like to stop in to look at my work between other things that I have to do during the day. I'm usually most productive in the afternoons and work on several pieces at once. I use photographs in my work, so some of the time is spent taking pictures and experimenting with printing and painting on different papers.
How does the space affect your work?
The space is small and limits the size of things that I can make. But it has pretty good light and I'm surrounded by many things that I've collected over the years so it's a comforting space.
How do you interact with the environment outside your studio?
The neighborhood is very chill and quiet. I recently retired from my academic job, so I am getting more involved with the community in my town and in nearby Indianapolis.
What do you love about your studio?
I love being surrounded by all of my collected items and plants. This creates a really nice environment and is inspiring to me.
What do you wish were different?
I would love more space, especially larger walls.
What is your favorite local museum?
The Greenhouse on the Indiana University campus. There are not many museums here, so I visit collections whenever I can.
Hao Feng, Summit, New Jersey
How long have you been working in this space?
Two years.
Describe an average day in your studio.
An average day in my studio begins after a full day of work, often at night or on weekends when I can truly dive into my creative flow. I find that my artistic nature awakens most deeply during these quiet hours. My process involves working on several pieces simultaneously, moving between them to let each one develop organically. Music is a crucial part of my routine, guiding me into an unconscious, fluid state where ideas emerge freely. This ritual of sound and shifting between artworks keeps my creativity energized and helps each piece resonate with a unique sense of depth.
How does the space affect your work?
My studio space is a sanctuary where the quiet night hours allow me to immerse fully in the creative process. The arrangement, lighting, and solitude all set the mood, helping me access deeper layers of expression and focus. This environment shapes my ideas and allows each piece to develop with freedom and clarity.
How do you interact with the environment outside your studio?
I actively engage with my community by offering free Chinese painting workshops, creating a space where art becomes a bridge for cultural exchange and creativity. Through these workshops, I foster a sense of connection and appreciation for traditional art forms in new, dynamic ways. I am also a member of a professional artists' group, where we regularly collaborate on exhibitions. These group shows provide an opportunity to connect with a wider audience, share our work, and support one another’s artistic journeys. Together, we strengthen the local art community, making art a vibrant part of our neighborhood.
What do you love about your studio?
I love the calm and focus my studio brings; it’s where my creative energy feels most. The quiet of night hours allows me to fully immerse in my work, moving seamlessly between pieces. It’s a space where I can experiment freely, surrounded by my tools and the music that guides my flow. My studio is my sanctuary, where each artwork takes shape and my ideas come alive.
What do you wish were different?
Honestly, I’m satisfied with my studio as it is. Its cozy, night-bound energy feels like a perfect match for my creative rhythm. While I could imagine a few extra touches, like more space, there’s something special about the way my studio supports my process just as it is.
What is your favorite local museum?
The Metropolitan Museum of Art. I love its blend of global art and history, especially the Asian art collections that resonate with my own artistic background. It feels both grounding and inspiring, consistently offering fresh perspectives on diverse cultures and creative expressions.
Marsha Monroe Pippenger, Dayton, Ohio
How long have you been working in this space?
About 10 years.
Describe an average day in your studio.
Can any studio day be average? I'm not sure. Studio time is precious to me and it seems there is never enough, although I know other artists struggle more than I do for time. My goal is to be there every day, but that's not always possible. Years ago I learned the skill of being able to dive in immediately to continue the previous day's work, so that is what I typically do, although some days I start by taking care of correspondence and the like. I listen to audiobooks and podcasts while I work and if I am really engaged in a piece I will not hear people enter the studio.
How does the space affect your work?
I have a great space with north-facing windows, a wall of shelves, and lots of square footage. This studio is my favorite place to be and I think it is conducive to good, productive work. I am also surrounded by other creatives so the atmosphere is inspiring.
How do you interact with the environment outside your studio?
My studio is the only visual art studio on the second floor of a lumber company. I am very engaged with the downtown community and a nearby studio complex known as Front Street, where there are a number of artists and small businesses. I interact with this group on a regular basis.
What do you love about your studio?
It's mine, it's big, it's airy and comfortable.
What do you wish were different?
Sometimes I wish I were in the bigger studio complex I mentioned, but my studio is too nice and the rent too reasonable to leave.
What is your favorite local museum?
The Dayton Art Institute, which has a tremendous collection given the city's size. This is due to extremely generous benefactors in Dayton's past who believed their city should have a world-class art museum.
What is your favorite art material to work with?
Paper, paper, more paper, handmade and inked.
