I loved my studio in Brighton (above), it was perfect. There was plenty of space, plenty of light, and I had the room to myself. Above is a biog' photo taken by my agent, whilst working on the picture below; the originals didn't have the nasty flash glare, obviously.
I really should try to organise a new space for myself. My present studio is filled with rubbish and I can no longer work there.
The only alternative is to give-up painting and concentrate on drawing, but I'd miss throwing paint around.
Maybe I should make a determined effort to clear out all the rubbish; it might take some while, but it'd be worth it (for my sanity).
I like the photo of you in your Brighton studio! You were a handsome guy. I like the painting, too.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure about handsome, but thank you.
DeleteObviously the photographer forgot to say cheese! Or perhaps artists are supposed to look serious. I am very taken by your painting which seems to have a hidden story.
ReplyDeleteIt was called 'Apres la Fete'. He loves me, he loves me not, etc.
DeleteHave same space problem...
ReplyDeletenow converting half the grenier into studio space.
But also...
just discovered the "Joy of Digital"...
using ArtRage....
as used by the Son of Bradford himself...
no water, no mess...
size of iPad or touch-screen tablet is not a problem...
you choose the canvas size...
and I bought a real brush with "bristles" that works with it!!
I have also acquired [thanks, love] a Slate...
this transfers your sketches on paper to digital form as you draw...
it can allow for a sketchbook up to half-an-inch thick...
I am having FUN!!
But they doesn't replace the feel of the real thing!!!
However, I currently only need a couple of square feet to work in...
and I do like the ability to hit the "undo" button if the paint doesn't mix properly on the "paper"
I like to work quite large, but I'll have a butchers at ArtRage. What I really need is a big old warehouse. The barn would have been perfect, but now it's a house.
DeleteA5 is my usual maximum...
Deletemore often A6 or A7...
all down to cost of materials mainly...
but I can now print my new part-finished "digitals" onto 300gsm A3 NOT paper...
I can feed flat, stiff sheet into the A3 printer from the back....
and continue in watercolour pencil, graphite and charcoal... and possibly now a bit of pastel...
as I picked up an almost virgin high quality set of 60 sticks in a wooden box at a recent vide-grenier... standard price... 2€!! So I bought the other, older set as well....
I used to use pastel a lot... it will be nice getting back into it.
Our barn is a workshop and utility area... part finished... with an indoor eating out area!!
I always say that a covered outdoor eating area (the au vent) is the most important room in the house!
DeleteThere is a lovely one in town....
Deletetwo exposed sides,right at the top of the house under the roof...
must be half the floor area of the house.
The openings face South and West....
perfect for Apero time....
but I covet it not...
honest!!
There's one exactly like that just behind my baker's house. It's stunning.
DeleteI like the painting! The colours are lovely, pity for the flash light which most probably altered the painting's true colours in the picture. You're not smiling in this photo either - I agree you're a handsome man. Was there not a teeny-weeny little place left in the barn for you to make a studio there? Greetings Maria x
ReplyDeleteThe colours are pretty much as they are, the flash is because I took a photo of a photo of a photo etc. The barn is now full, mostly house but also storage.
DeleteAgree with Maria. It's sad that there isn't a space in the barn that you could use as a studio. Love the painting, and good to see a younger Cro, but where's the beret?
DeleteI love big canvases too, but most of mine so far have been fiddly little things due to lack of space. There's really nowhere here to turn into a studio, without a major upheaval. I've had my eye on the garage for sometime, but it's full of all those things that really need to be thrown out. Some have recently gone, but I'm sure other things have crept in to take their place !
Will have a look at ArtRage too - I'm sure I read about something similar on another blog.
I imagine that there are lots of us out there who haven't the space to work as we'd wish. Too much clutter, not enough daubing.
DeleteHave a clear out.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll have to; it's become untenable.
DeleteI like the painting. i remember you said that you love trees and i see that there are trees in almost all of your paintings that you show here.
ReplyDeleteI've had a life-long love affair with trees. They appear everywhere.
DeleteWas it north facing Cro? I hadn't realised until I saw the studio in Leighton House that this was preferable because of the light....I went with my friend who was an artist which made the visit a great deal more enlightening!
ReplyDeleteArilx
The Brighton studio was East facing, and my present one (the rubbish pit) is north facing. The only thing that is a real nuisance is direct sunlight.
DeleteI reallywould like to see a selection of your work Cro. Can't you give us all a treat?
ReplyDeleteMost of my major work is in the UK, and I don't have pictures.
DeleteWHAT?????
DeleteI only have very few photos of my work. I should have made a web site years ago, but...
DeleteClear out a space and give yourself a treat to paint, I'm sure Lady M would like you to be occupied there rather than wielding a chainsaw/rotivator or whatever. As to the painting itself, I'd not want it on our walls but then we are all different!
ReplyDeleteDon't worry, it was sold years ago! As far as Lady M is concerned, I think the opposite is true.
DeleteBetter get on with clearing the space that you so desperately need for your artistic outlet.
ReplyDeleteIt is important.
I've already started, this morning. It's tough!
DeleteWhat a wonderful photograph of you Cro ...... so romantic.
ReplyDelete... and what a shame that you haven't got space for a large studio ...... could you not use the Pump House or isn't that practical ? XXXX
The Pump House is full of all the pool filter sytem, pump, etc; as well as all our outdoor stuff. The little 'tower' would have been perfect, but it's a bedroom.
DeleteSounds like a pre-built building needs to be bought and set on the property. It would be better than rooting around for a place. My fear is that while I wait to be settled in the new city house more time will pass and then there won't be any more time.
ReplyDeleteIn an ideal world I'd build a €100,000 studio in the grounds, well away from the house; but.....
DeleteRight, time to pitch and toss. If you haven't used in two years you don't need it.
ReplyDeleteRuskin said that a home should never contain anything that isn't either beautiful or useful. I never listened to Ruskin.
DeleteI thought that it was William Morris who said that ? XXXX
DeleteI think you're right... I confuse them. It was Ruskin who talked about beautiful things often being the most useless. Thank you for pointing this out.
DeleteRuskin still 'lost' Effie Grey though, so which wasn't she?
ReplyDeleteEffie Grey gave up on Ruskin. No consummation, no marriage.
DeleteWonderful photo of you and the painting.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, I have been cleaning my studio for several months. Projects keep getting in the way but I am determined to finish by the first of February.
I will be so happy.
cheers, parsnip and thehamish
I've started, but there's so much stuff; we need at least two more rooms.
DeleteI read somewhere that artists never lose talent...it's in your brain forever. BUT as you grow older experience can only add to the projects..think that's true?
DeleteProbably, but at the same time 'use it or lose it' comes to mind.
Delete