Welcome to the 228th installment of A View From the Easel, a series in which artists reflect on their workspace. This week, artists who have all worked in their studios for over a decade revel in the solitude it affords them on one hand, crave the company of fellow artists on the other, and use a sand clock to mark the passage of time.
Want to take part? Check out our new submission guidelines and share a bit about your studio with us through this form! All mediums and workspaces are welcome, including your home studio.
Karin Lijnes, Noordhoek, South Africa
How long have you been working in this space?
Twenty-four years.
Describe an average day in your studio.
My studio is my safe space, my sacred space. It holds the extraordinary and ordinary. I look for those elements in my work. I am in my studio often after a swim in the cold Atlantic or in False Bay. That is around 10am. Then I am there for most of the day and write, as well. My practice is mainly clay and that’s what I will focus on, alternating with writing. I have a garden outside with free-roaming rabbits, cats, peacocks, and lots of birds and squirrels.
How does the space affect your work?
The space provides the emotional and practical containment for me to make things.
What is your favorite local museum?
We have the Iziko South African Museum in town, and that is worthwhile.
What do you love about your studio?
I love the solitude and quiet.
What do you wish were different?
I wish that I could spend more time there than I do.
Melissa Godoy Nieto, Brooklyn, New York
How long have you been working in this space?
Thirteen years.
Describe an average day in your studio.
I usually hop on my bike or catch the G train to my studio, where I arrive after lunch, though if a deadline demands it, I’ll head there right after breakfast. I usually work on several pieces simultaneously, often belonging to the same series, allowing ideas to cross-pollinate and evolve together. I avoid working on silence, and when the pressure is on, music helps me with a rhythm, pushing me into a productive flow. When I can take it easy and have more mental space, I listen to podcasts. I also have a record player so I love the ritual of choosing records. I like using a sand clock; it helps me not get as distracted with different tasks.
How does the space affect your work?
Having my studio in the basement has a noticeable impact on my creative process. I have to take advantage of every surface I can, so I work on the floor and on the walls at the same time. I also find that my work tends to be more vibrant and colorful when I’m in that space. When I create art in other locations, such as while traveling, I observe a shift in the tones. Also, the low ceilings in my basement studio can be challenging when I try to create large-scale pieces. Now that I’m making more large works, I see myself struggling with limitations of space. I have to work on only one at a time, and I have to clean and organize right after using each corner of the studio.
How do you interact with the environment outside your studio?
My studio is in the neighborhood of Bedstuy in Brooklyn. I lived there for my first decade in NYC, it holds a sense of familiarity, but there have been many noticeable changes over time. When I step outside for breaks and crave a bite or a coffee, I realize I’m not as familiar with the current shops in the neighborhood. But I still encounter some of my long-time neighbors from the block occasionally, and that’s a pleasant reminder of the community that remains.
What do you love about your studio?
The sense of sanctuary. I can fully immerse myself in the creative process without distractions. Being there for so long, I love that all my history and the materials I’ve collected over time, as well as those left by artist friends, are there for me to use at any moment. This abundance of resources encourages me to experiment and explore constantly. It’s where I feel I can play, make a mess, and make mistakes. At times I just sit and have a tea and go into my thoughts for a while; I don’t allow myself to do this at home or anywhere else.
Pat Millin, Des Moines, Iowa
How long have you been working in this space?
Nineteen years.
Describe an average day in your studio.
I start painting in the morning, after coffee. I paint with oils so I’m usually working on more than one painting at a time allowing for drying time. I say a prayer while laying out my paints, sort of a ritual to help me in my creations, and give back to others through what has been given to me. I sometimes listen to music or podcasts but also enjoy the silence of me and my easel.
How does the space affect your work?
I love my studio, going from organized to chaos, depending on what stage of the painting I am inhabiting, sometimes even stepping on reference photos and rulers during my session. I look out of the north windows and see the change of seasons following the light and shadows.
What do you love about your studio?
The solitude, it’s just me and the canvas.
What do you wish were different?
Painting can be a lonely sport. Sometimes I need more eyes, like when I was in class or workshops.
