My Art-Making Spaces
I have a unique process for my artwork, which I talked about in my past blog, “What’s On My Easel.” For this blog post, I wanted to talk about the various spaces in which I find myself working on my art. I don’t have an ideal set-up by any means. I live in a small apartment with my husband and 2 cats, but I make it work!
My easel is where I do the bulk of my work. I usually stand up to draw, but my easel is easily adjustable if I feel like pulling up a chair instead. You can see how my drawing is on a giant clipboard for support. I originally got this as a way to transport my giant 24” x 36” sketchpad in college, but I have found that it works very well for drawing on because I don’t have to risk damaging my paper by taping it to a board. I also have a smaller giant clipboard (haha) to use if I am working on a smaller piece. I have my most used art supplies on the easel itself and some lesser used ones on the bookshelf next to it.
The other place I find myself working on my art in my apartment is at my desk. I don’t work on big pieces here, but my desk is a great place for the idea and composition phase of my artwork. I typically do thumbnail sketches in my small 5.5” x 8.5” sketchbook at my desk. I also use my laptop here to plan out drawings digitally on Photoshop.
For life drawing, I go to the Dunedin Fine Art Center. It’s nice that drawing is a portable art form. I just need my portfolio with my sketchbook in it and my bag of supplies and I’m good to go. Here’s a picture of what I like to call “the figure drawing studio,” but in reality, there are many other classes in this room as well.
I monitor the Friday open studio that takes place in this room. When I set-up, I close the blinds and use a spotlight as the primary light source. I only turn on two overhead lights, which provides just enough light for everyone to see their easels. The spotlight works really well because it is bright and adjustable and provides a clearly defined light source, which I find adds a great amount of depth to my drawings. There is also a model stand which provides more of an eye-level view as opposed to looking down on the model.
News
- My piece “The Fleeting Image” recently won first place in the “Strike a Pose: Faces and Figures” exhibit at the Old Hyde Park Art Center, put on by Tampa Regional Artists. The show, in which I have two other pieces as well, runs until February 7th.
- I have a small painting titled “Ephemera” which won second place in the “Monochromatic Minis” exhibit at Dunedin Fine Art Center. This exhibit, which can be seen along with the annual Miniature Art Show, runs until February 9th.
- I will be participating in the Tarpon Springs Fine Arts Festival, which will be March 14th and 15th at Craig Park in Tarpon Springs.
- I will have a booth at the Mainsail Art Festival, taking place April 18th and 19th at Vinoy Park in St. Pete.
