#2 in our Studio Snooping Series

This week I will show you Shirley's Art Studio.

I think we learn a lot by seeing others work spaces.  Even though we always think our own spaces could be better and wonder how anyone could even want to see it.  Something we see could trigger an idea for our own spaces.  She was reluctant but she came through.

Here is Shirley's Art studio and what she has to say:

Here are two photos of my studio.

The first shows my taboret, an old printer stand on wheels that my sister bought at a garage sale for $5.00. The corner is the perfect place for the flat files that I have not purchased yet. The small table with paint and light on it is for Ashley. I forgot to mention my Ott-lites. Couldn't paint without them.

The second picture is self explanatory, I think. What I didn't take was the bookcase full of magazines and three ring binders or the closet full of supplies.  The floor is carpeted so it is covered with thick painter's drop cloths. Two deep on part of it. Makes a cushy floor and I don't have to worry about ruining anything.

I can't see how this will be helpful to anyone but might make people appreciate that I can turn out anything in this mess.

Thanks Shirley.  My space is just as messy, if not more.

I like your shelving in the corner and all the light you have.  I need to get all of my computer, scanner and stuff situated like you do.  

Shirley has told us that when there is something she is wanting for her studio or painting, she puts it on a wish list and her kids go in together and get her something for her birthday or Christmas that they know she really wants instead of guessing.  Good idea.  Christmas is just around the corner.  We better start making our wish list.  

If anyone has any good ideas or cool things you have in your studios or painting corners you would like to share, let us know.  We'd love to read your comments.

If you haven't come out to paint with us because you have hesitations about painting with other people around you may want to reconsider.  Its not so much a time to create a master piece every time we come together and paint on Thursdays.  Its more a give and take day.  We always give our opinions. Like Linney says" Here's my advice, I'm not using it!"  And Yes, you may need some thick skin sometimes.  We do honestly critique each other if asked, not to pick apart someone's work  but because we want to see each other do their very best.  We all learn so much from one another.  Here's what Vickie had to say and some photos of her work she sent me.

"I would like to thank you and all the other artists for the constant support and encouragement that you give me.  That's why I like to go on Thurs.  I definitely get more painting done at home, but being around all of you wonderful artists is a great help to me.  Plus, I love to see what everyone else is working on.  Its fun to see these works of art "evolve"  Vickie Voelz.

Watercolor

Watercolor

Pastel

 Great Work Vickie!!!  You are a quick study and have really made some progress in your work. It looks terrific.

I try to take pictures of all of your work as it is in progress but sometimes you may finish it at home and we never see the finished piece.  If you would, send me photos of them and I'll make sure they get on here so everyone can enjoy them.

Don't forget to start getting your artwork ready for our show on Nov 7th.  It will be here before you know it.  For some of you that have not entered our show before, it must be framed unless it is on gallery wrapped canvas.  No saw tooth hangers on the back, it must have wire across the back ready to hang.  

God Bless everyone.

"Where We Work"

This will be our first post of revealing our work spaces to you.  This whole series will be to share our ideas for storage, work areas, set ups and any other clever ideas we have come up with.  We want as many people to participate.  You don't have to be a regular Thursday Painter to send us your comments, ideas or pictures for that matter.  We want to hear from you.  I will post pictures and comments as I get them in.   It may not be every post.  I'll change it up every now and then more than likely.

A lot of people think that you have to have a big studio to be a legitimate artist.  NOT TRUE!  It's nice if you have that.  Even if you have the extra room, that may not be the way you work best.  Some of us work best being right in the middle of what's going on.  Not locked away in a secluded space.

Here is Vickie's photos of her set up.

We are already jealous of your Flat file Vickie.  I think this works great.  It looks like a nice piece of furniture and yet functions right where you need it.

"As you can see, its all together.  Two drawing tables, one easel, two sets of lights.  One chair and one stool."

Thanks so much Vickie for letting us into your world.  We still need to come out and paint the horses.

Send me your photos of your work area.  We'd love to see them.  I'll be looking for them.  Try to keep it to 5 because that's the limit of photos I can post in one blog.

Until next time.

This week Shirley set up another still life.  We just use a piece of foam core and score it in a couple of places to fold it.  Don't cut it all the way through.  This works perfectly as a still life back ground or if you want to add some interest, drape a piece of fabric along the back wall.  I'm sure there are better set ups to block out some of the light and control it better, but this works good for something portable and light weight.

Here is Shirley's painting of the still life.  Sorry its blurry.  Shirley I cut you out of this picture intentionally because I didn't want you to hate me forever.  Can't quite describe the look that was on your face???

This is Vickie's masterpiece.  Here she has sketched it out on watercolor paper and then masked off the areas to keep them white.

I just love this picture.  It is going to be wonderful!  It better be in our Fall Show.  I expect to see it there!

Vickie is practicing on the leaves before she puts them in.

Vickie, if you happen to finish it at home make sure you bring it so I can photograph it and post it.

O.k. Next blog I promise to have some photos of one of our studios.  Who will it be???

We're back.  Here's Carol working on another one of her famous girls.  Who is it this time?  Could this be Linney? Sally with a pony tail?  Or maybe this is Carol's daughter?  Who knows.  One time she told me that I was hanging in her bedroom.  Of course I had the most strange confused look on my face because that sounds kinda kinky.  Come to find out she was talking about one of her latest paintings that ended up looking like me.  I think she starts a painting and then chooses to make it look like one of us.  

Liz we keep telling you that this is going to be gorgeous!!!  Believe us.  

This is a painting she is doing from a picture of her mother when she was but a young thang.  She's beautiful.  Now we know where Liz gets her looks and long skinny body.

Linney is back from cruising around the UK.  Poor thing had to go on a cruise and suffer through it.  We should all be so lucky.  (Just messin with ya)  This is her new creation in the works.

Here is Shirley's rendition of one of the donkeys at the Bunkhouse, Dena Wenmoh's ranch http://denawenmohs.com  (your welcome Dena for the link).  We love coming to see you to recharge our batteries.  Everyone knows Shirley needs it every now and then.  She's got a lot on her plate.  But she's committed to painting and very rarely misses our Thursday therapy.
 

Shirley is going to drive herself crazy with this Jamaican drummer dude.  But it's looking terrific!

  

Send me your pictures of your art studios or closets or corners where ever you work.  We want pictures of your set up, what works for you so we can all steal ideas from you:-))  I'll probably start putting those in the next blog or the next.  Be looking for them.

Later