Perspectives From an Artist’s Workspace
**A View From the Easel: Finding Solace in the Studio**
Welcome to the 316th installment of A View From the Easel, where artists invite us into their creative domains to share glimpses of their work in progress, their surroundings, and their aspirations. This week, we explore two distinct artistic sanctuaries that highlight the diversity in how artists engage with their environments and materials.
**Embracing an Expansive Workspace**
Our first artist has recently transformed a room in their apartment into a standalone studio. Having lived there for over two years, they only began using the space as a studio in August. This marks a significant milestone in their early career, providing the largest area they’ve ever had to create art. The newfound space allows the artist to comfortably explore larger-scale works while simultaneously juggling multiple projects—studies, and smaller artworks that inform more comprehensive endeavors.
An average day in this studio begins at 10am, accompanied by a beverage, a snack, and the essential backdrop of varied music. The space itself, set in a vibrant Brooklyn community, offers artistic inspiration despite a sense of disconnection from fellow local artists. One aspect the artist cherishes above all is the autonomy the studio provides—no longer doubling as a living space, it becomes a realm dedicated to creation, allowing for increased productivity and quality.
Nevertheless, they express a desire for more natural light, as time becomes irrelevant amidst immersive work sessions, often detaching from routine activities like eating or checking the time. Despite this, the studio remains a canvas of potential, where footprints grow more defined each day.
**A Haven of Order and Nature**
In contrast, our second artist has enjoyed three years in their studio, a space defined by its cleanliness and order. It features massive, well-lit windows that open into a courtyard, providing perfect natural light from morning until early afternoon. The Virgo nature of this artist reflects in their methodical approach, completing one piece before embarking on the next—an approach contrasting with the chaos that often characterizes creative spaces.
Surrounded by an abundance of plants and flowers, the artist draws energy from their vibrant colors, essential to their work. The large hall ceilings evoke freedom, while a smaller room serves as a nighttime retreat offering intimacy. Importantly, the artist values the interconnectedness of their studio with a basement for storage of artwork, materials, and props, which facilitates seamless transport and aids in maintaining studio order.
Situated within a peaceful neighborhood inspired by traditional Suzhou gardens provides an escape from the commercial art scene. Social interaction has evolved over time, with a shift from hosting large gatherings to valuing solitude and select company, reflecting a personal journey within the sanctuary of creation.
Finally, both artists reveal their favorite local museums. One is drawn to the timeless elegance of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, while the other finds fascination in the Museum of Art Pudong, where modernity and history converge.
These featured studios remind us that art’s creation thrives under diverse conditions—whether in the expansive scale of a newly dedicated room or the meticulously curated environment of a long-established space. We invite artists from all backgrounds to share their workspaces, fostering a collective appreciation of the varied landscapes of creativity.