Tuesday, March 29, 2011

New Studio

I have not written here since end of January...I have been incredibly busy the past 2 months moving into a new studio. After 15 years at least, working in and around my house in West Marin, I finally decided to move to a studio space that is more centrally located, one that has other working artists in it, a harbor complete with sailboats, seagulls and a general feeling of happy activity. I think, no I know, that many artists deal with feelings of isolation. Of course making art for most people is a solitary activity. This actually is a good thing. The difficulty comes when your left to work alone for ever and ever. I know for myself that staring at my own work for too long or maybe just working alone for too many days in a row starts to wear you down a bit. I remember when I worked in NYC in a small apartment, (If your not going out and your not seeing anyone all day then there really is no reason to get out of your pajamas...see how bad it can get?) and how, when the fed ex guy would come to pick up something, I would just talk his ear off. I would just try to keep the conversation going as long as he would stand there. When the only human contact you have is with the UPS or fed ex guy then it probably is time to change your working environment. This studio, I originally was going to share with someone and then greedily kept all 1,300 sq ft for myself, is located in the ICB Building in Sausalito, California. It is an enormous 3 story building that originally was used to manufacture sails for sailboats. There are literally hundreds of artists all piled in the building. I now work with one door open and have all the pleasant interruptions I want all day. Anyway, once I got here I wondered why I had waited so long. I never could justify a move for so many practical reasons such as having to drive, the cost, etc. But I possibly overlooked the one reason that should of trumped all others...I would be happier! Duh...

studio

14 comments:

Itaya Art said...

What an awesome studio you have to spread out in now! Love the high ceilings. Very happy you took the leap so now you can have interactions with other artists and probably accomplish more work than if you were alone. :)

david weir art said...

Now that a studio,
Keep on Pushing your work

Tim McFarlane said...

Wow, what a great space! It's amazing what can happen when you take that one step off of the cliff. I hope you get many years of use out of it.

Carrie said...

I'm green with studio envy! That looks such a great space.

Leslie Avon Miller said...

Wishing you great enjoyment of the studio, your work and the good company.

William Hall said...

What a wonderful space. Congrats! I have been missing your posts and am excited to see what new work comes from your new space.

Unknown said...

Wonderful! So much space... in my dreams.

Hannah said...

Gorgeous space--looks like you have room to spread out--and it makes me wonder how the change of space will affect your work--particularly the internal sense of space within a painting.

Diane McGregor said...

Congratulations on the new studio space, Nicholas. I must say, it sounds very tempting....

Nicholas Wilton said...

Thanks everyone for your generous comments...Even though many of us never meet in a way we are all part of the same conversation and benefit from each others efforts...

Anonymous said...

Hello Nick! So glad to see you are expanding your space, perhaps this will expand your work in some different way. Funny, the part about the UPS/FedEx guys! I wish you many encounters within your building, and farther even. Good bye solitude, hello happiness! Have fun.

Diane McGregor said...

Nick, it's 3pm and I have paint all over my pajamas -- see what you're missing?

Anonymous said...

Hi, I really like what you are doing - the work is beautiful! Do you accept studio visits? I am coming from Italy to Sausalito for the holidays and would love to see your work in person and meet the artist!

Kesha Bruce said...

Nicholas, have I already commented on how much I love it when you post photos of your work space? This new space just makes it that much better!

More please!