Welcome to the 290th installment of A View From the Easel, a series in which artists reflect on their workspace. This week, artists envision an art museum in Nashville and pine for a loft to paint in.
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.
Shirley Parish, Detroit, Michigan
How long have you been working in this space?
Twenty years.
Describe an average day in your studio.
Begin work around 9am. Complete my day around 3pm.
How does the space affect your work?
My entire house is a studio. High ceilings and good light. I would prefer a loft.
How do you interact with the environment outside your studio?
Detroit has a large art community. Lots of galleries.
What do you love about your studio?
I can paint in my pajamas and at any time of day.
What do you wish were different?
Much rather live in a loft.
What is your favorite local museum?
Detroit Institute of Arts.
What is your favorite art material to work with?
Oil and linen.
Trixie Pitts, Nashville, Tennessee
How long have you been working in this space?
Six years.
Describe an average day in your studio.
I like to go out to my little shed in the morning and organize and get ready, maybe doing an underlayer of acrylic. Then I go out again after lunch and really get down to it, using oils and sometimes oil sticks. I love to listen to music and what kind really depends on my mood!
How does the space affect your work?
It’s a small shed, so I really can’t paint anything larger than 72 inches and wider than about 60 inches max. I do love to paint large so that is a bit of a bummer!
How do you interact with the environment outside your studio?
There is a movement to start MOCAN — Museum of Contemporary Art Nashville — and I have exhibited with them once in an old mansion, which was really fun! I would enjoy meeting more artists, and need to work on that!
What do you love about your studio?
I love that it is my own space. I feel safe there and not a lot of pressure. I can leave the door open when it is nice and hear the birds and see all the green!
What do you wish were different?
I really miss all the interaction and feedback from when I used to live in NYC and paint at the Art Students League. I also miss my advisor, Larry Poons, and all his cryptic comments.
What is your favorite art material to work with?
Hands down, my favorite material is oil paint!
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