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| Helen Frankenthaler in her studio. Photo by Ernst Haas. |
I need a real studio.
The house I’ve been in for these four+ years is utterly beautiful: thick adobe walls; radiant floor heat, glorious views and a lovely balcony from which to let your vision and imagination soar for miles to the east and south and west of Santa Fe. It sits on five pinon- and cholla-dotted acres, that are ideal for rambling with a dog. There’s a feeling of seclusion, and being close to Nature. Neighbors generally keep to themselves. I’ve see coyote, deer, even bear out here. And, of course, abundant crows, juncos, nuthatches, fly-catchers, jays, hawks and hummingbirds.
But there’s no studio, and though I’ve tried to make the best of it, the fact is the lack of a real studio has hindered my ability to create the kind of work I want and need to create.
Okay, okay….Never-mind that Jackson Pollock painted in a barn. Any serious artist will do whatever it takes in order to make their Art. I made do for many years in a mildewy vermin-infested basement, only to come down some mornings and find rat paw prints across my paintings and table tops. Been there. Done that. Ready to move on.
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| Jackson Pollock in his studio in East Hampdon. |
So…what do I mean by a real studio?
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| Studio designed by Olson Kundig, Seattle. |
— I mean a room with large expanses of bare, smooth walls, upon which I can tack and nail both finished works and works in progress.
— I mean a room with good light for an artist.
— I mean a room with a slop sink and running water.
— I mean a room with floors that it’s okay to get paint on.
— I mean a room with high ceilings.
And so…Time to focus my desire and put my intention for a new studio out there….and see what happens!
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| Cezanne’s studio in Aix-en-Provence. |