Inspirations in the studio

This week I am returning to my paints and textures, working on several projects. I am loving it! I don't know about you, but my work output is greatly increased when I am inspired and there is nothing like peeking into other artists' studios to motivate me!

There are as many studio variations as there are artists. Here are a few:

-a studio with an elegant Aubusson carpet sample in the planning

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-Studio of Carine de Marin in France

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-Various painters at work

Traditional Home

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-Jackson Pollock at work in his studio

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-Studios that are more organized or elegant

The World of Interiors

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Wow!

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-Paint palettes

Details

Details

Then, there is my studio! OK, I admit it. It IS messy, especially right now, in the middle of projects. If I had to clean up after every session, I'd get nothing done!

 

my drying brushes

 

pigments and colors

my work and class area

For those of you who know me, I always have to have a few plants and flowers around! Above, you will find birds-of-paradise and jasmine vines. This is an oleander passing the winter indoors.

Tell me about your favorite place to work and be inspired!

Such potential!

When I first saw these ceramic pigment samples on decorative artist Lynne Rutter's website, I was intrigued. These were samples made in 1773 by Josiah Wedgwood I during his quest to create a new ceramic material that would be compatible with the delicate shades of the interiors of the day. These ceramics later became known as Jasperware.

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There is something about the process of creating samples that holds so much potential. It tries your patience when you cannot quite get to where you want to be. The recording of this journey is very important to the process. It is in looking at your work and studying your mistakes that allows you to take the next steps... hopefully to success.

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In Josiah Wedgwood's case, it took five years and nearly 3,000 samples to achieve his goal. These colors are just so vivid and rich. If I had permission, I would recreate this sample board below and hang it for inspiration! 

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This trial tray was Wedgwood's documentation of his potential cameos and intaglios for the Jasperware.

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For the homeowner as well as the artisan, it is necessary for success to record your paint samples.  Choosing the paint color can't be done in the paint store! It is best to display the choices with a large swatch in the room you are choosing for. It does not need to be actually on the wall; painting a standard piece of paper and hanging it in the room is adequate for deciding. You can also move it around the room to look at the various levels of light on each wall.

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 The artist often creates a sample board of various colors before beginning a painting or project.

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This is a sampling of metallic plasters on canvas that I made when I first received the products to see how they looked when dry.

I used this sample board to eventually get to the finish I wanted on a commercial job. Here is the final finish.

Often, it is the process that is most interesting!

Weekend Favorites

 I just completed a trade show last Thursday with ASID and was so excited about the fun display unit frame that my husband created for me. The 8' by 8' back panel wall is covered with aluminum leaf (which looks like silver leaf but doesn't tarnish) on one side and a textured aluminum leaf and stain on the other side. The front panels can be turned to either side during setup. The four 2' x 7' panels in front actually swivel so that each panel shows both sides by a simple turn. I prefer showing wall finish samples in a larger size as it makes it easier to imagine on the actual wall.

After I finished the show (and standing all day), I wish I could have soaked in this tub.

Photo by Lucas Allen

Isn't the color fabulous?

This couch really caught my eye. Besides loving the color, it looks lush and comfortable.

Beaumont Fletcher

Now I just need to find a few throw pillows...

Lastly, I came across this cool mosaic. Mosaics have been on my mind (Mosaics a la Venice). It's so happy!

Photo by John Lawton      Tile by Sicis

Happy May 1st!

The Studio in Photos

For those of you who have asked to see what the Great Lakes Decorative Arts Studio looks like, here it is!

The Studio is located in the former Lake Erie Screw Factory in Lakewood, Ohio. It is a 2  minute drive from I90. The wonderful old factory houses over 50 various sized artisan studios. We hold an Open House twice a year, which is when most of these photos were taken. The studio is divided into two areas, the classroom and the work room. I keep the work room private; it is filled with products, works in progress, tools, ladders and anything else you can think of!

When I moved in...

After a little lime plaster and rust

Welcome to the Open House!

Coming into the classroom area

Here is the wall of finishes... in several pics

Finishes...

Wall of finishes- two

Wall of finishes- three

Wall of finishes- four

The other long wall

In an upcoming post, I'll tell you a bit about that gorgeous Art Deco screen that you see in the first photo.