“Before my friends entered the studio, they always had to wait. That was nice to give me time to tidy up, to put on my clothes, for I worked in the nude.
Marc Chagall (1889-1985)
The Artist’s Studio
The need for one’s own studio is a great motivator to become quite creative with the use of space. Before my lavish present studio I had transformed a walk-in closet into a formidable studio space. Since it had a tall ceiling I maximized space by designing overhead storage where I kept mostly canvasses and frames. With some resourcefulness one will find ways to claim studio space. An artist friend of mine transformed a garage into a lovely studio, while another, remodeled a section of her basement and with clever usage of partitions created an innovative work space to suit her needs. As an artist your need for a studio is more than a necessity, it is your right.
Practical strategies can further help to keep expenses low while installing your studio. There are really only a few basic needs such as a sturdy work table, good light, an easel, a tray table, ventilation and some shelves for storage. My own workbench consists of a thick rectangular piece of plywood on top of adjustable sawhorses underneath which I store canvasses. One short side of the workbench is set against a wall where I hang tools for easy reach, while the remaining three sides are free standing such that I can walk all around it. Storage shelves can be very basic and inexpensive such as boards on top of plastic bins or recycled crates. Most of what one needs can be purchased at a large discount hardware department store including drop clothes and cheap commercial style rugs.
The meaning of one’s own studio goes far beyond the need for a work space. For me the studio is perhaps foremost a sanctuary; a place where I paint and meditate, a place where I find respite and solace, where I seek inspiration and solitude as well as companionship. Surrounded by many art books, soothed by heirlooms, alluring music and aromas, moved by symbolism and quietude, it is where I can replenish my creative well when I am not outdoors in nature. And while unlike Chagall, I have not yet painted in the nude, the studio is however, where I feel truly unencumbered and free to experiment.