Art Bites: Studio Life - plus RA insights

It's so interesting to see artists studios - they are like maps of character and unique creative neural pathways rolled into one. How studios are arranged or not arranged, what's on the wall or not on the wall, tidy or messy (and why?) is it full of colour or monochrome? It's fascinating. I admit I am extremely nosy when it comes to studios. Treasure troves.

Then there is another layer of individuality - does work come in a rush or over a long period, does the artist like to be solitary or gregarious. Music or silence? The RA are doing an interesting series about RA artists studios - see the link at the end of this post.

I feel fortunate to have a space I can leave in a ready-to-work state. Every now and again I have a big clear up - especially if I have come to the end of a series of paintings or prints. My choice is to have nothing on the walls if I can. I have one area of wall acting as a sketch book where I pin things that I want to remember, investigate or pick up at a later date. I often play music on repeat if it helps me to maintain the state of mind that I am after.

In the middle of a painting - paints are out and a clear patch at the far end of table for drawing

GOLDFISH BOWL SYNDROME?
Just as goldfish grow to be a size that is compatible to the size of their environment, I know that if I had three times the space I would easily fill it and my work would get bigger. It's an interesting thought. Do I let the size of my studio determine what I make?

I had a chance to take quick pictures of the studios of some of the very talented artists in my building. Here they are..... and you can check out their websites too.