Welcome to the 247th installment of A View From the Easel, a series in which artists reflect on their workspace. This week, artists work with the dry pastels of their childhood, fashion a darkroom in their closet, and transform scrap metal into spaceships.
Want to take part? Check out our submission guidelines and share a bit about your studio with us through this form! All mediums and workspaces are welcome, including your home studio.
How long have you been working in this space?
Four years.
Describe an average day in your studio.
I am an artist-in-residence in Delhi’s Dhoomimal Gallery, but I have the freedom to work from my studio in Bhopal. My day usually starts early, at the crack of dawn. Then I pluck some lemongrass to brew a cup of tea. I live in a housing complex surrounded by farmland with a sparse population. I’ve grown some herbs and flowers in the front yard garden. Pari, a dog I rescued and adopted from the street, hangs around while I stretch my canvases. When I’m not working, I take care of my plants.
I enjoy absolute quiet, and during breaks, I listen to Kenny G or Indian classical ragas. I can only focus on one painting at a time; I need time to connect and bond with it. In the evening, my wife and I take a walk, soak in the greenery around, and watch the sun go down.
How does the space affect your work?
I find emptiness very peaceful and liberating. However, sometimes there’s a lot of mess lying around in my studio. It’s inevitable. I believe in minimal living; my mind can’t breathe freely in clutter. My works are sensitive to their environment so I spend a lot of time tidying up. My studio is a very personal, meditative place for me.
I need to be able to move or walk around the canvas while applying, layering, or merging the shades so they do not collide or contaminate each other. I put the painting on the easel and keep the windows wide open to allow it to dry. In my studio, I have some artifacts, animal figurines, my own catalogs, mementos and awards, and personal things like a photograph of my mother whom I lost as a child.
How do you interact with the environment outside your studio?
We have Bharat Bhawan, a multi-art museum complex in Bhopal, a kind of cultural hub of the city. I was trained there during my formative years. The organization welcomed me as an artist when I was just a kid from a village with no resources. So, the city has been a warm and nurturing environment for artists to grow.
What do you love about your studio?
The serenity, the natural light. The laid-back, rustic atmosphere around it is often infused with chirping sounds of myna, bulbul, parrots, house sparrows, and at times, kids playing outside. Yes, sometimes we have to deal with power supply and other issues. But those don’t bother me as much as city air pollution, traffic noise, or industrial waste would.
What do you wish were different?
My paintings are usually four by four or three by three feet. I would like to extend my studio space for a larger body of work. Also, the pastel pigments take time to dry when aerosol fixative is applied. So more space means more air can flow, letting me dry my canvases naturally.
What is your favorite art material to work with?
Dry pastel. It’s the only medium I’ve worked with ever since I started painting. It reminds me of the broken pieces of colored chalk I used to paint or draw with when I was a child. It has a similar shape and feel.
I was born and brought up in a rural setting and come from Rao Samaj, a “backward class” (economically disadvantaged group) in Madhya Pradesh, India. I didn’t have access to other resources like expensive materials and acrylic. Even clean drinking water was not available all the time, let alone for painting. The dry color is something that is still with me today when a lot of other things have evolved. Dry pastel has somewhat become ingrained in my consciousness, my identity.
Tal Avitzur, Santa Barbara, California
How long have you been working in this space?
Fifteen years.
Describe an average day in your studio.
Each day is different. If not in the studio, I may work on the computer or go out parts hunting. In the workspace, if not creating, I spend a lot of time taking things apart, then cleaning and organizing. I often have multiple works going on at once, as I may be waiting for the right item to finish a piece. When I am working, music is always on. I still listen to the same rock bands from my childhood.
How does the space affect your work?
My studio is in a peaceful setting in the yard of my home, where I love to spend time. Days can go by when I never leave the property. It’s very conducive to working. Having many thousands of parts, I like to keep everything well organized. That way I can maximize the time creating, rather than searching.
What do you love about your studio?
Being in my studio clears my mind of any worries and body aches. It’s magic. Creating robots, spaceships, and creatures is like being a kid at play.
What do you wish were different?
Sure would be nice to have more space, but I am very grateful for what I have. Because of limited space, I do a yearly clearing of things I most likely would never use. That’s a good thing.
What is your favorite art material to work with?
I love old copper, brass and bronze marine hardware, vintage kitchen and home appliances, scientific equipment and tools.
How long have you been working in this space?
Almost three years.
Describe an average day in your studio.
Since I have a nine-to-five job, I do most of my studio work over the weekends. This means my studio days can be pretty long, so I try to get started as early as possible. I typically begin my day by making coffee then choosing a set of playlists and organizing my workspace as I drink it. Once everything is set up, I start working, taking only short breaks to let the ink dry between layers, have a snack, watch the birds in my backyard, and stretch or rest my body. Eventually, I notice the sun fading, and realize it’s time to stop for the day.
How does the space affect your work?
My studio is in my bedroom, and my darkroom is a closet. My art practice brings joy to my life and peace to my mind, so working in a room meant for relaxation, like my bedroom, feels very natural. Since the room is at the back of the house, it is wonderfully quiet and serene. I have a nice view of my backyard and plenty of natural light through a window and a set of French doors. I don’t think setting has changed the outcome of my work, but it has transformed the process. I love and appreciate the quiet calm of my bedroom studio, but it is very different from the active social environment and dedicated space I had at the print shop where I got started. While the solitude allows me to print more quickly, it is difficult to print without specialized equipment. It’s humbling to deal with a jury-rigged setup that requires regular troubleshooting.
How do you interact with the environment outside your studio?
I live within 10 minutes of many local galleries and just a couple of blocks from the university, which has a pretty active art community. It’s easy to walk there for lectures or to visit artist friends, and to drive downtown for gallery show receptions on a Friday night. Many artists also live in my neighborhood, making it easy to meet up with them regularly.
What do you love about your studio?
I love having immediate access to my studio at any time of day. There’s no need to coordinate schedules or drive anywhere to work. I can work day or night — whenever I feel inspired. It’s also incredibly quiet and free of distractions, allowing me to focus on my work for hours on end.
What do you wish were different?
I learned to print in a university print shop and really miss the community there. Some of the most important friendships of my life were built in that space. I sometimes wish I could print alongside people again.
What is your favorite local museum?
I always enjoy the exhibitions at the Albuquerque Museum and National Hispanic Cultural Center, but Harwood Art Center holds a special place in my heart. They helped me get started and are incredibly supportive of both established and emerging local artists.
What is your favorite art material to work with?
Lately, I’ve been working with glittery and metallic inks.
