Friday, March 13, 2009

Studio Move

Basement Studio

I thought everyone might enjoy seeing my studio, since I LOVE seeing other artist's studios.  It's better than looking at a decorator magazine to me.  I just find it fascinating to see how other artists work.  The above photo is my basement studio.  I no longer work here, just mostly store stuff, i.e., canvases, completed paintings, paintings waiting to dry, extra paint, etc.  I also wash my brushes in a small sink down here.  But I won't show that.  It's too messy.

This room used to be kind of a family room at one time.  We live in a cottage/bungalow type house built in 1924.  It's a Sears home.  At one time the kids watched TV down here.  There was even a fish aquarium.  When my kids went off to college, I claimed the space for my studio.  My husband installed spotlights, speakers for the stereo and various other things for me.  It's a great space and has everything I need.  Except natural light.

So I moved my french easel upstairs.  I thought I would just try it.  It was meant to be a temporary thing.  That was a year ago and I'm still upstairs in my light-filled little sunroom.  It's much smaller, but I find it so much more enjoyable.  



My Current Studio

It's also closer to the kitchen for my many refills of instant coffee.

20 comments:

Honor Bradley said...

Thanks for sharing. I am always curious as I think maybe if?? However, I realize that it all evolves but I still look for ideas. Honor

Kathleen Krucoff said...

Hi Janelle,

Thanks for sharing! I too love to see others' studios. I agree, your new space seems much better suited for your painting. Lokes wonderful!

I posted pictures of mine last month (after a clean up!) http://kathleenkrucoff.blogspot.com/2009/02/order-is-back-in-studio.html

It's sooooo cool that you live in a bungalow type home, Sears no less! I've read about them in American Craftsman magazine. I think they are beautiful.

Jill Berry said...

Enjoyed the tour of your world. I too work in a small space, but well lit, with no expensive easel and a heavy drop cloth to protect the carpet. When I saw the first photo, I thought wow nice easels and lots of room to step back to check out your work. But natural light trumps those conveniences, good to know.

Janelle Goodwin said...

Hi Honor, Thanks for stopping by. I'm always looking for new ideas too.

Hi Kathleen, I snooped into your studio when I read your comment. Very nice! And you have lots of natural light too. Our bungalow is very charming. Too bad it lacks closets! Thanks!

Hi Jill, Yes, natural light just feels so good, doesn't it? I can't bring myself to paint in the basement anymore. Thanks for your comment.

Karen said...

I love peaking inside studios too! Thanks for sharing that...they both look like great spaces. I noticed your easel in the first shot like Jill mentioned ( I have to get one, one of these days), and the space, but I could see why you went upstairs! I think I'd probably spend a lot of time staring out the window up there!

brian eppley said...

Nice to see. I like seeing the paintings just sitting around. That always looks cool. Don't you just love the french companion easel?

MB Shaw said...

Oh my gosh, how could you *not* love all that natural light. Amazing! I am in my basement and, although its big and I love it, I still pine for more natural light.
Just lovely, thanks for sharing

Leslie Saeta said...

Love the pictures of your "studios"! I also have "two" ... one for storage and one for painting. The light in your "painting" studio is fantastic!

artistinthewild said...

All that light and the great view makes for a beautiful studio! I'll bet it's especially nice as spring approaches and the trees leaf out. Your studio set up is almost like painting plein air! Proximity to coffee is also a major plus. -W

Janelle Goodwin said...

Hi Karen, The largest easel in my basement studio is actually my brother's. He got it from a neighbor who was putting in the alley for the garbage truck! I love that easel. Maybe I'll haul it upstairs someday. Thanks!

Hi Brian, Yes, I love the french easel. It's amazingly adaptable to big paintings too. Thanks for your comments.

Hi Leslie, It's amazing how this art things spreads out all over the house, isn't it? Thank you.

Hi Artistinthewild, Maybe I should try that sometime - painting what I see outside the window. Thanks for stopping by.

brian eppley said...

oops, I meant the french companion palette. It's so nice.

Janelle Goodwin said...

Hey Brian, Oh, the french companion. It's really nice to put your palette right in front when painting, isn't it? I also like to close the top when I walk out of the room so my cat doesn't jump onto my paints.

loriann signori said...

Thanks for the sneak peak Janelle. Nice new digs! Don't you just love being above ground?

Janelle Goodwin said...

Hi Loriann, Yes, it's soooooo much better being upstairs where there's natural light. I no longer feel like a mole rat! Thanks!

Jala Pfaff said...

Thanks for sharing. Mine is so unbelievably messy compared to everyone else's photos I've seen! And I definitely won't frighten you with any pics of MY sink!

Janelle Goodwin said...

Hi Jala, My downstairs studio is controlled chaos. Know anyone who cleans up art studios for a living? Thanks for your comment!

Celeste Bergin said...

You are right, Janelle...seeing your studio is FUN! This inspires me to put up a photo of my studio one of these days...perhaps after I clean it. Thanks for sharing your studio(s) with us.

neetzy said...

I love your new light-filled studio. Mine is a little Amish-built shed. I do have windows, but it is quite cramped. It needs a good cleaning too!

Kim VanDerHoek said...

I agree, I enjoy seeing other artists studios too. For me though, it's probably because my studio is a small corner of our dining room which is probably why I still prefer to paint on location.

Your new studio area has great light. It looks like a much nicer place to paint.

Janelle Goodwin said...

Hi Celeste, Thanks and I'm looking forward to seeing your studio. It's so much fun!

Hi Neetzy, I'd love to see your studio too. I think art studios always need cleaning because we're always messing them up! Thanks for stopping.

Hi Kim, Thanks for your comment. Why don't you show your studio too. Dining rooms are probably a good place for a studio. We only actually use ours about three times a year!