Recently, I was scoffed at.
The other day, I was discussing various artists’ studios with a small-time collector and big-time snob in town, when, during the course of the conversation, I foolishly outed myself as an artist who works from home. Smirking and patronizing behavior ensued.
Apparently, rather than simply being a matter of the differing work habits, the outside studio is a status symbol. It implies that the artist has enough money to rent an extra space, and that’s code for “successful” (even if the artist requires a day job to fund their outside studio).
Of course, beyond the symbolic gesture of throwing away good money, there are more practical reasons for an outside studio. An artist may want to shut out distractions in order to get work done. And, along the same lines, some artists feel the need to “go to work” like (almost) everyone else. It makes them feel productive.
On the practical side of things, I can work from home because I have no need to shut myself away: I can’t be distracted from my work because I really like my work. I work all day = I play all day. And on the question of status, what can I say? I have never been the cool kid, and I’ve never wanted to be. I’m not someone who plays by anyone else’s rules: that’s actually why I became an artist in the first place.
As I see it, renting a separate space is a colossal waste—both of money and of resources in a diminishing world.
My space now is the main room of an intimate one-bedroom apartment which I share with my sweetheart. My previous studio was the basement of a house. It was much larger than the current arrangement, and I was there for two years, piling maybe-I’ll-use-this on top of this-could-come-in-handy-one-day. I slimmed down my studio considerably in order to live here, but I don’t regret it. I have just enough space, no more, no less. Now, I am Goldilocks, without the breaking and entering.
photo by David
The “entrance” of the studio area. That’s a painting rack in front of me. It’s 4.5 by 5.5 feet, and 4.5 feet tall. Suffice it to say, this rack has a presence! My father designed it and built it for me when I was first starting out. It has always been useful, but, in this space, I wouldn’t be able to manage without it. In it, I store a whole lot of extra stretcher frames as well as some paintings.
photo by David
Walking through the open space between the rack and the studio proper. You can see the “office” (my desk) and the “photo studio” (where I do my photo-sessions, near the window) in the background.
photo by David
In the studio proper. A tight-knit rug protects the carpet where I do my painting; it’s 4 by 6.5 feet.
I’m guessing that the snobby collector would have done more than scoff if he’d actually seen my space.
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CATEGORIES: - Philosophy -
(3) Comments / Commentaires: Recently, I was scoffed at.
Ah, the Snob! This way you can live with the scents of your art and not just food smells, and it seems you always have ‘company’ with the faces sharing your great room!
Lovely, you!
Gwen
You are a remarkably confident and expressive artist. I admire you for standing your ground and I find your methods and means of orchestrating your work and life to be very inspiring.
I have found, especially in the arts there are many who lack the confidence to show appreciation or admiration of what another creates in fear that it will outshine their efforts; As a result they do whatever they can to diminish what they cannot create!
You are the very embodiment of and artist with none of the added baggage.
Also, I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment of the loft/studio scene. It is a fantastic waste of creative energy and financial resources.
Beautiful work.
Be well and prosper!
Regards,
David
Bonnie Meltzer...
For me the benefits of a home studio are vastly superior to one that I would have to travel to. If I an idea bursts from my head, I can capture it immediately, even if it is very late, or 30 minutes away from supper. It gives me more flexibility.
Besides, anywhere that artists make art is a studio. It is the quality of the art that counts not square footage. And your work is way over the top on that score. Keep up the good work.
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