A View From the Easel
“The privacy and silence reflect the intimacy and meditative spareness of my art.”
Welcome to the 343rd installment of A View From the Easel, a series in which artists reflect on their workspace. This week, Kathleen MacKenzie cherishes the birds of Upstate New York and the freedom of experimental video art.
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.
Kathleen MacKenzie, Rosendale, New York
How long have you been working in this space?
I moved from my loft in Tribeca, where I had lived for 35 years, to the town of Rosendale, located in the Mid-Hudson Valley, in 2012. I divided and converted the back end of the garage into a 400-square-foot studio. Hard to believe, but I have been working in my space for 14 years.
Describe an average day in your studio.
I go into my studio around 10am and take a break for lunch around noon. By one o’clock, I return to my studio and work until 4pm or 5pm. As a mixed media artist my ideas often intersect, but I prefer to work in one medium and on one project at a time unless I have a deadline. My ritual is simple: a cup of tea and a bottle of water nearby. I prefer silence when I am working on the computer in Photoshop or editing video in Final Cut Pro. Otherwise, I like listening to jazz when I work.
How does the space affect your work?
The privacy and silence reflect the intimacy and meditative spareness of my art.
How do you interact with the environment outside your studio?
Shortly after I moved upstate, I volunteered at the Rosendale Theatre, became a member of Woodstock Artists Association and Museum (WAAM), and joined a Mid-Hudson Community Buddhist Practice. I exhibit my work in local museums and galleries and have collaborated with a local book artist. I attend library talks and am part of a writing and poetry group and participate in open mic readings. My art community is wonderfully eclectic and inspires my mixed media practice.
What do you love about your studio?
I love the light that comes in from the skylights and windows. I treasure the privacy and silence in my studio, and each day seeing the sky above and hearing the beautiful chirping of birds flitting about in spring and summer.
What do you wish were different?
I would love faster internet speed on my iMac and better cell phone connection in my studio.
What is your favorite local museum?
There are some great museums upstate and each has its own uniqueness, but my favorite is WAAM for its generosity in exhibiting local artists and its range of exhibitions.
What is your favorite art material to work with?
I love painting, drawing, photography, constructing handmade books, and collages, but my favorite art material is when I am editing my video footage in Final Cut Pro on my iMac and making experimental video art.
