Thursday, December 22, 2011

Studio Views

I've been working this month on a new series of oil landscapes in preparation for a show this August at West Branch Gallery in Stowe.

This is my new easel from David Sorg, which will be helpful for the larger canvases I'm about to begin. No cranks to raise or lower--it's counter weighted, and slides up and down easily. A boon to my posture!

Mia likes to lounge around close by my brush while I'm trying to prepare canvases. I've been gluing linen to wood panels, then applying Art Board's excellent acrylic gesso. (That's a painting by Euan Uglow in the open book.)

Still life props and favorite postcards: Tom Thomson, Vincent Desiderio, Gerhard Richter, Catherine Murphy, Vermeer, Linden Frederick, John Sell Cotman. (Like most painters, I have eclectic tastes.)

New paintings I'm working on are images of New England summers--and not so far removed from our December weather, which has yet to see a lasting snow. Hopefully this week the cold white blanket of Vermont winter will arrive, and be the view from my studio hibernation until a Bahamas workshop in February.

12 comments:

  1. Susan, that's one beautiful, furry studio assistant you have!

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  2. I love seeing your art. studio and kitty (who is an identical twin to my Fiona). The new easel looks amazing. Being able to change the height of a painting in progress would be so helpful. I'm also remodeling my studio and have been considering a new easel. This looks like a fantastic option and knowing that you recommend it (and it being on sale for another couple days on Jerrys/ASW) helps to make my decision. I'm curious about what the material is on your wall on the left in the first two pictures. It appears to be large white panels mounted on the wall. Is it just sheet rock or something designed to work like a bulletin board? Now that I have brand new insulated painted sheetrock walls I kind of hate to start hanging things and making a mess of them so soon.

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  3. Vous possédez un très bel atelier spacieux comme je rêve... le mien me plaît mais il est un peu trop petit.
    Je suis très intéressée par votre chevalet...
    pensez-vous qu'en France je puisse trouver ça!
    Gros bisous

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  4. Thank you for writing, Phil! I've enjoyed keeping up with your painting and exhibits via your newsletters.

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  5. Hi, Jana, thanks for writing. That's homasote on the walls, which is a study type of bulliten board. I have it up on three large walls, and can screw nails in to hang paintings while I'm working. Larger paintings are on the easel.

    So far I am really liking the Sorg easel. If you haven't purchased yet, you can also buy it directly from David Sorg, the designer, for the same price. His directions for assembly are a bit clearer than when purchased through the store. Either way, David will answer any questions you may have--an artist, and very nice guy. His website, which has more info on the easel, is http://www.studioeasel.com/.

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  6. Thanks, ontheroad. I've worked in many types of places over the years--rented rooms in suburban and country houses; in cities in a derelict studio over a porn shop and an office space in a commercial building; the living room and a bedroom in our family home; a custom built space I built over a swimming pool--and now this studio that I designed as an addition to our 1860's farmhouse. Each studio had it's pros and cons. The main thing is to have a private place to work, that is all your own.

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  7. Thanks Susan! I ordered through Jerry's on supersale but have the better directions from David. Was assembly difficult? Thanks for the info on homosote too--I'd never heard of it but seems like a great solution.

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  8. Sharyle Doherty12/30/11, 7:06 AM

    Susan, thanks for sharing your studio pictures. It helps to see how a professional does it. I hope to join one of your workshops in 2012. It would be great to see you again.

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  9. Hi Susan,
    No need to reply to my question about assembly. My easel arrived and I was able to unpack and assemble it myself in one (long) afternoon. It's wonderful!

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  10. Sharyle, nice to hear from you. Hope to see you again soon!

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  11. Sorry, Jana, was just about to write and say that the assembly was quite simple--I think I only swore twice...it is a really good easel, and I'm enjoying how easy it is to adjust when I just want to go up or down a few inches.

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