Easel and carts with Taos and Sepowet paintings
Shelf with plein air paintings and books
Me and two visitors
Last night was the opening of an abstract show at the Capitol Arts Network (CAN) and the first time for me in my studio. I signed the lease on Thursday and we moved in an easel, two carts, the card table and a shelf that we found in the basement. John spent all day yesterday getting the shelf up. I placed four of my most successful plein air paintings on it (actually, I have very few others!). This week he made a pastel box for me that will be placed on top of the cart to the right of the easel (a chef’s cart from the Container Store that I got marked way down!). I had to steer people into the studio as it is somewhat hidden. But I’ll be getting a window to the corridor installed that should make a big difference. I hung my painting “Yellow House in Winter” in the hall just outside the door and that was a good draw. Most importantly, I had very positive feedback from the people who came. They loved the Taos pictures and the two Sepowet paintings. This is a new undertaking–and an expensive one!–but I’m hoping it’s going to work. I want to teach more and I can give small workshops or extensions of my classes in my studio. I will be ordering two long tables and the Walker hanging system. At last, paintings that have been hiding in my basement can be on the walls here in public view. And it’s really, really nice to be able to show unframed brand new work, something I’ve never been able to do. So I’m excited. I hope the place will really take off and I hope that I’ll enjoy painting and teaching in this new space. But for today–a rainy, quiet day–I’m going to begin a new Sepowet picture in my home studio.
Congratulations Jean, am excited for you and wish you much success.
Looks like a great studio space!
Have bought and enjoy your pastel book. Was wondering how you’re displaying your pastels….are they taped on black mat board or black foam core/gator board with black tape? They look great!
Best of luck to you,
Kim
Thanks Kim. I’m doing the painting on a thick white sheet of foam core. When it’s done, I tape it to black foam core with black masking tape. It really gives it a lovely appearance. The tape doesn’t stick very well, but it looks good enough to present. I tried painting it on the black foam core and that was a big mistake and it dirties very easily! So, now I have a method and I just use the same “working” board each time for the 16 x 20 sheets.
Hi Jean:
The new studio sounds and look just wonderful. I am so happy for you! I completely relate to your being able to display unframed new work easily where you and other people can enjoy it. The thought of you having your own teaching space makes be SMILE! Please keep us posted as you figure out your hanging and student hosting system. I am interested in how you will display the unframed art, too.
Susan
Susan–I’m going to be purchasing the Walker hanging system and will hang paintings on two walls. I want to put up some type of cork board or just a large piece of foam core (which is what i have at home) that I can attach small studies and other stuff to. The shelf doesn’t really give me very much room for the unframed pieces. BUT–when I get the two folding tables, that I’ll use for students, I can put them against the wall during openings and stand up unframed work on them. I think that will work It’s going to take awhile to figure this out and a lot of trips going back and forth, I’m sure. But I think it will be fun to paint in a place where others are doing all kinds of artwork–pottery, jewelry, painting, etc. We’ll see! Right now enjoying my home studio on a cloudy day.
Congratulations, Jean. It’s a brave effort to open this new studio, so all your friends and fans are pulling for you. I look forward to joining you for class or instruction there if the timing is right. Will definitely drop in to see you.
S
You’ve been busy! Wish we could all be there with you taking lessons. Beautiful paintings as usual.
Congratulations, Jean. I am so glad that you have the new studio. Taping unframed paintings to black foam board is a great way to show off paintings and better when you photograph them also so camera isn’t registering a white board.
Good luck with working there (like the rolling cart) and teaching there, too. How big is the studio? Are the bulbs lighting the space color-correct and temp. correct?
All my best – Elizabeth
Thanks Elizabeth. The studio is 800 sq.’ The overhead lights are very nice–bright but a little cool.No need for extra light that I can see. I got the foam for my new box yesterday and have spent the morning filling it with pastels! Fun but I hate doing this on a truly gorgeous day. Will send photo of pastel box when completed.