Just like any job, there are some really irritating aspects of being an artist, even though nonartists just think all we do is sit around and drink wine and perspire great paintings.

Here’s my list of Stuff That Annoys Me.  What annoys you?  Post your list in teh comments.  :-)

1. Cleaning brushes ($20 bucks says we ALL hate this)
2. Deadlines (internal/external… they are made to be missed)
3. Mid-painting critiques
4. Paperwork
5. Interruptions (like lunch.  or phone calls.  or the end of the day.)

I used to hate doing studies too, until I figured out the Secret of Studies, which I will lay on you next week.

Tell us what bugs you!

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 Loading ... A small, quick alla prima painting demonstration of peaches and a silver cup: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtzYMyBN_jA The peaches are a study for a larger peach painting that’s still in the planning stages.

This is not a new theory.  People have been thinking that the Mona Lisa looked a lot like Davinci’s self-portrait for a long time.  But, to support a theory that he was painting himself deliberately in “drag”….  well, OK, I guess it’s a theory.  But to propose actually exhuming the corpse to do DNA testing?  Huh?  Seriously?  Where exactly is the “drag” gene?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/27/mona-lisa-a-self-portrait_n_439108.html

Please don’t forget to check out the “related news” features at the bottom of the page.  ;-)

If you’re interested in participating in figure drawing/painting sessions in Aurora, please sign up for email notifications. Dates, Times, Locations, TBD – just getting a group together at this point.  http://lisagloria.com/about/figure-drawing-group/

Actually, I’m not sure how I feel about the corporateness of this, but since it exists….  Disney apparently put out a pamphlet helping lil folks understand/appreciate art.  http://www.boingboing.net/2010/01/18/disneys-looking-at-p.html

OK, if that doesn’t thrill ya, here’s a nifty game to soothe you from the same guy (as far as i can tell): http://craphound.com/?p=2566  Neat blog!

Shhhhh, this isn’t out yet, but the preview is so good I just had to share.  David Kassan’s new drawing video is ALLLLMOST here.  I’m pretty psyched.  Watch this preview - it’s like a whole new genre of art instruction video….  Badass.  http://dvd.davidkassan.com

What’s a good studio look like to you?  Please help me prioritize the amenities for the studio project…  If you could answer a quick poll I’d be appreciative, thanks!

http://foxriverarts.com/2010/01/04/help-us-design-the-space/

Happy New Year Everybody!  :-)  I trust you all whooped it up in style.  Now back to work! 

This year, it seems I have outgrown my 168 ft sq of studio space (formerly a bedroom) and have started to look for commercial space near my home.  There is no established studio/co-op here, but an abundance of Victorian shopfronts and factories along the lovely Fox River.  So I’ve started (just barely) looking at spaces and considering leases.

My dream is a large space with 10 or so studios averaging 150-200 sq ft, arranged around a shared gallery/classroom/performance space in the middle.   Ongoing collaboration with artists/musicians/performers in the area.  Monthly cultural parties/events to keep us on everyone’s mind…  Weekly figure painting sessions and monthly workshops.

This has been a dream for going on 15 years now, but always I had to consider my inherent laziness and the fact that an in-home studio was way cheaper and way more likely to get used.  The tipping point was that locally, I just could not get anyone to let space for workshops or figure drawing. 

I would love to hear about your experiences with this sort of arrangement. So, have you ever rented a studio with other artists?  What were the benefits and pitfalls?  Anything you would do differently?  Have you ever leased a large space to divide into studios?  Advice for that sort of project?

We wish you a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous New Year. May all your dreams come true in 2010.

Thank you for your support this past year - we appreciate every one of you.

Now go paint!

Lisa and Cindy

Marc Dalessio has a rather fabulous post (2, actually) about both natural lights in the studio on his blog.  http://www.marcdalessio.com/studio-lighting-part-i-natural-light/  Don’t forget to check out part 2 also, on electric lights. http://www.marcdalessio.com/studio-lighting-part-ii-artificial-light/

Excellent tips, Marc!