Finally I got Gary to take some photos of me; here's a glimpse of me when I'm in the studio working. I'm so lucky to have an indoor studio space where I live now; it's nice to be warm or cool depending upon the season. I put my tile portraits on wallboard and prop them up on a plastic container which makes it easier for me to work on the details. For hand built pieces I have a low turntable I use. On my left I've got my block of clay, brushes, containers of colored slip I've mixed, some commercial underglazes, and petri size glass dishes I blend small batches of colored slip in. On my right I've got a container full of tools, sponges, rulers, and a tub of water.
Everything is within an arm's length for convenience and to minimize getting up and down. I keep a towel on the arm of my chair to wipe my hands and my wet slip brushes. There is a light with a fan above me and a table lamp too. See my black plastic rolling pin; I love it. I got it when we were traveling in our RV. I like this plastic one better than a wood one because the clay doesn't get embedded in the pin and I can wipe it clean after each use.
From my point of view this what I see while I'm sitting at my work table. I'm lucky enough to have a large window to gaze out while I'm working. I see birds, squirrels, hawks, tortoise, rain and wind hitting the window, and big puffy clouds floating by. It's really wonderful to just sit there sometimes, being mesmerized by the beauty of nature surrounding me.
This is a bird's eye view of my work area. I roll my clay out on that hardboard, or high-density fiberboard you see in the center of the table. I wipe it clean after each use. The clay doesn't seem to stick to it much. After I roll out the clay I put on my 3x reading glasses to help me see details better. On the right is the black plastic tub of water I use for cleaning my brushes. Later I'll carry it outside to pour into a special place. Sometimes one of my cats will lie in that open space on the window sill sunning themselves and keeping me company. Today I put an old blue bath towel there to make it more comfortable for them.
If it wasn't for Gary, this is all you'd see, me taking my photo in front of the bathroom mirror. There's my photo cube suspended over the bathtub, a convenient place to store it till guests come to visit. Working in clay really does take over every available space, both in my home and in my mind. You should see the closets, never mind the nooks and crannies of my brain. Ha. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.
Fun post Linda. I love looking at artists' work spaces.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the studio tour. It's so inspiring to be able to see nature out of the studio window. I'm grateful to have a nice view also. It is funny how clay fills up everything, the house, the brain, the conversation...
ReplyDeleteYour studio looks GREAT, Linda.
ReplyDeleteAnd you look lovely in purple!!
I'm interested in your brushes....I can see many types of them.
I'm going to remember that warm space you have this winter when I'm out in my very cold three season studio! I hope to get it insulated soooon!
ReplyDeletewhat a fun tour of you and your studio!
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara, thanks, I am so lucky to have this spot on one of our extra bedrooms.
ReplyDeleteHi Lori, thanks, Gary complains all I think about is clay.
Hi Sapphire, thanks, you wouldn't believe those brushes - I got them in a multi-pack for next to nothing at Walmart for not very much money and I use them to paint with the clay colored slip. They are actually working out really well. One I got as gift from another potter in a giveaway on their blog and it is of deer hair with a very thin tip which is good to paint thin lines with, his name is Brandon and I can give you his etsy link if you want to order one from him, it is the best brush, one of these days I'll spring for another one. The thin brushes are the ones I need more of and perhaps one with short stiff bristles. I also use sponges to dab the clay slip on to get a more random effect.
Hi Tracey, thanks, at our last place we hand dug a trench from our home and ran the conduit to get electricity to my studio there, then we had the electrician do the rest just to be safe, you might do that to save on the cost. A small space heater works wonders. I put all the insulation in that studio too and made sure to get all the spaces around the doors and windows. In ten years when you're as old as I am now you'll see the cold really affects the bones much more especially my lower legs. Of course I am sitting and hot air rises. Even inside in winter on the coldest days I sometimes need a space heater by my feet; maybe I'll get a small electric blanket and wrap that around my legs, that might be less expensive. Ha.
Your space looks like it would really be conducive for making art with the windows and nature within easy reach. Thanks for showing it to us Linda.
ReplyDeleteHi Michele, thanks, I thought folks might want to see a photo of me since I always post photos of Gary, Ha.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, thanks, other artists get lots of ideas look at studio spaces so I thought I'd show them mine. I love that window and the tree has lots of birds. In the spring it's filled with robins eating the berries, a sight to see.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see it's really you making the art -ha! Started to think it was really Gary doing the art making and YOU blogging -just kidding :o)) xo
ReplyDeleteHi Cindy, thanks, no Gary is doing the housework while I work in clay, what he calls woman's work, while he continues to look for work hoping to get a job to get out of the house (work) Ha.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great place to be creative, Linda! Love it!
ReplyDeleteHi Gigi, thanks so much, I am really lucky to have this place here.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great work space! Love the pics and enjoyed the tour!
ReplyDeleteHi Marguerite, thanks, just so folks know what all is entailed in making a piece in clay and then there's the kiln area in the garage a whole other can of worms so to speak.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda,
ReplyDeleteReally nice to see you in your studio, it is almost like being able to actually visit! How wonderful that the internet can build such big bridges right across the globe so I don't even have to get my feet wet crossing a few thousand miles of sea! We have been enjoying catching up with your blog. Sorry to have been out of touch for a while (things were a bit "up and down" here). I'm busy bisque firing a load of small bowls, mugs, and small vases and pots for crystalline glaze tests. It is nice to have a warm kiln and something going on. I read your post about selling prices of work with interest, I've just been going through all the September sales figures at the Co-op that I am a member of, and the reality there is that sale prices average about NZ $21.60, which is probably around US $17. Bowls are the best sellers, followed by mugs. Really tough times economically here, we're essentially living on savings and hoping to make a few sales in the summer months to help stem the one way flow! I do commissions, and find that they keep a little money coming in, even though they usually work out as very time consuming. Commissions always teach me a great deal, as I usually have to learn a new form or technique to make what people want. Anyway, must dash and check the kiln. Keep up the good work! P & L xx
Loved your studio tour, Linda. You look soooo happy!
ReplyDeleteForgot to mention, there were tile portraits in the shop I wrote about. They're selling like hot cakes. Also, birdhouses. Simple red clay with colored stones for accent, and emblems of local football teams, for $30.00.
Thanks for the tour. I enjoyed seeing your creative cave. I was quite impressed with how neat everything is. You aren't the messy artist at all.
ReplyDeleteYay Linda...what a fabulous post! Beautiful photos...and gorgeous set-up..how lucky to hear the hawks and such you describe...all that nature...awesome! everything looks fab..thanks for this wonderful tour!
ReplyDeleteHappy Creating!
Victoria
Hi Peter, thanks, nice to hear from you again, been a bit up an down here too so I know what you mean. I am surprised bowls sell better than mugs and the prices well, what can we do, at least working in clay keeps me out of trouble and out of the mental doldrums, keeps my hands and mind occupied. The commissions I assume do the same for you. I try to keep my mind on the up side. I have packed up three boxes of work to take to that show I mentioned with lesser priced items, forty pieces, so we shall see how many sell there, hopefully enough to at least make back the cost to enter the show. Later this week I have a jury at a gallery so hopefully they'll like my work.
ReplyDeleteHi Kittie, thanks, mostly happy, but I do have my ups and downs, I am curious about those tile portraits, are they hand painted like mine? or decals? would love to see a photo of one the next time you go to that shop.
Hi Patti, thanks, well I try to keep that little area neat, just don't look in my dresser or some of the closets and the paperwork that's another story. ha.
Hi Kiki, thanks, yes I am so lucky and am glad I can be close to nature as I work.