An Artist’s Perspective: Insights from the Easel
Title: Light, Space, and Inspiration: Inside the Creative Studios of Contemporary Artists
The artist’s studio has long been a sanctuary — a space where experimentation, reflection, and creation unfold. In the 286th installment of “A View From the Easel,” readers are granted an inside look into the unique working environments of two contemporary artists, Mark Kobasz of Pennsylvania and Holly Wong of San Francisco. Through their words and images, we gain insight into how environment, routine, and material exploration shape their artistic practices.
Mark Kobasz: Where Material Meets Light in Perkasie, Pennsylvania
Mark Kobasz works from a sprawling studio nestled on a small farmette in semi-rural Perkasie, Pennsylvania. For nearly two decades, this space — which he rebuilt following a studio fire — has served as the epicenter of his multi-material artistry.
Kobasz’s studio is not bound by one discipline. Instead, it is a hub of creative ferment involving glasswork, woodworking, and printmaking. His days are structured into dynamic sessions where he moves between cutting materials like wood and glass in the morning and designing print or glass surfaces in the afternoon. The artist embraces “semi-controlled chaos,” with various works in progress set across multiple workstations that allow seamless transitions between projects and materials.
What sets his space apart is its architecture — designed by Kobasz himself — as well as its deep connection to the surrounding natural environment. Timber beams, tall ceilings, and ample windows flood the space with natural light, playing a vital role in his ability to experiment with light-reactive materials like glass. His creative roots in photography further deepen his relationship with luminosity as both a subject and medium.
Outside the studio, Kobasz draws inspiration from his rural surroundings, tending his garden, walking his dog, and sourcing materials like wood from a nearby sawmill. He appreciates the serenity and freedom his location offers and values his network of local artists.
His favorite material? Glass, wood, and prints — tactile materials that interact with and transform light. When asked what he’d change about his studio, he mentions the allure of more efficient heating systems, but remains attached to the “warmth and glow” of his wood stove.
Holly Wong: A Light-Filled Sanctuary in San Francisco
On the opposite coast, artist Holly Wong creates her ethereal fiber installations and collaged paintings from a compact spare bedroom in her San Francisco home — a studio space she has occupied for a remarkable 24 years.
Wong’s practice is marked by discipline: An average day begins at 4 a.m. with a focused hour of quiet creation. Additional sessions in the morning and afternoon allow her to dedicate uninterrupted time to her work, while administrative tasks are deferred to evenings. Her material choices are a blend of the delicate and the luminous: dichroic film, silk organza, and paper-based collage. Her fiber pieces, in particular, capture the essence of ambient and reflected light.
Though spatially limited, Wong’s studio offers a rich sensory connection to her environment. A west-facing window fills the room with golden afternoon light, while the sound of ocean foghorns — just eleven blocks away — imbues her work with subtle marine and atmospheric references. When larger space is needed, she expands into the garage or yard, especially for materials requiring ventilation, like spray finishes.
Storage, however, remains a persistent challenge, especially for larger paper works. Wong leverages nearby off-site storage and garage space to manage inventory. Despite these limitations, she embraces the surprise and modularity of her art — often seeing the final result of an installation only once it’s on site.
Wong is also an active part of San Francisco’s art scene through programs like ArtSpan Open Studios. Even during the pandemic, she welcomed viewers for virtual tours and still hosts guests to view her work in person, often cooking for them — a nod to the hospitable, holistic nature of her practice.
Her favorite local museum? The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), which has grown increasingly inclusive of local voices and emerging talent.
Conclusion: A Celebration of Possibility and Place
Though their spaces and processes differ, both Mark Kobasz and Holly Wong treat their studios as living ecosystems — places for contemplation, transformation, and connection to both inner and outer landscapes. Whether it’s the countryside calm of Pennsylvania or the coastal breezes of San Francisco, their studios reflect a profound understanding: creativity thrives where light, space, and inspiration meet.
These glimpses into their workspaces remind us that the studio is more than a room — it is a mirror of an artist’s mind and a vessel through which their vision takes shape.
Want to share your studio with the world? Hyperallergic invites artists across all mediums and geographies to contribute to this ongoing series. Submit your workspace story here.