Welcome to the 311th installment of A View From the Easel, a series in which artists reflect on their workspace. This week, artists find their place in the world of their studio and gravitate toward shiny things.
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.
Cat Richardson, Bloomington, Indiana
How long have you been working in this space?
Three months.
Describe an average day in your studio.
I begin my day with a quick studio cleanup and a bit of journaling about what I want to accomplish during my studio session. I use it as a chance to check in with myself and see how I’m feeling, what I want to accomplish, and what will be the most productive kind of making for the day.
How does the space affect your work?
There’s definitely an energy there — it seems that what I leave in the space persists and affects me later. I have to be sure not to hang around too long if I’m not feeling it.
How do you interact with the environment outside your studio?
I’m lucky enough to share this space with a number of other artists. I’ll often stop by their studios for a chat or to get some advice about a problem I’m working out. I love being so close to my community!
What do you love about your studio?
I get lots of natural light, enough space for a big armchair, and walls covered with my favorite artworks.
What do you wish were different?
Of course, I wish it were bigger.
What is your favorite local museum?
The Eskenazi Museum of Art.
What is your favorite art material to work with?
Anything shiny.
Doug Reina, Setauket, New York
How long have you been working in this space?
Eleven years.
Describe an average day in your studio.
I get to the studio between 9am and 10am. Get the laptop fired up and hooked to the amp. Sometimes I play music, sometimes it’s podcasts, which are usually art-related. Sometimes it’s just quiet. If I’m stretching canvases I’ll try to do several at once. I use rabbit skin glue as part of my guessing system, so it’s better to do a bunch while the glue is warmed up. You’ll see I work on a black surface. The black oil paint can take several days to dry, so it’s good to do a few at once and have them ready to go. As for working on paintings, I’m usually working on one at a time.
How does the space affect your work?
It’s a gift to be where I am. I’m very lucky to be there and I’m very grateful. Tall ceilings, a bathroom, sink, separate office area, and the studio. I couldn’t have found a nicer spot. As the photos show, I can work on large paintings. I couldn’t do that years ago when I was working out of my basement.
How do you interact with the environment outside your studio?
The studio is near the water, so I can get a nice walk in when I need to. A friend is around the corner with her art studio and we check in every so often. Artist friends drop by, I make coffee then kick ’em out so I can get back to work.
What do you love about your studio?
It’s my world. I can close the door and get to work doing what I think I’m meant to do. Everything is where I know it should be, with me included in it.
What do you wish were different?
Boy, I could use some decent space for storing paintings. As my work gets larger, this is an issue. I’d love some better lighting too, especially for photographing the large works where I need even lighting. I’m also noticing I’m a bit more cluttered than I used to be. Stuff can get in the way.
What is your favorite local museum?
The Long Island Museum in Stony Brook, New York. I’m a trustee on their board.
What is your favorite art material to work with?
Oil paint!
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