ARCHIVES - President’s Message - June 2005
Studio Spaces and Other Stuff
By John Muhler
As part of my stay at home therapy I have been awarded the task of replacing some or rather most, perhaps even all of our windows. Our house suffers from the consequence of inexpensive electricity when it was built forty years ago. And with approximately six hundred square feet of uniquely sized and shaped windows the task is a bit intimidating. But, with a little help from my friends, by the end of the week I’ll have about half of the job done.
Now the bonus to all this labor and expense is a wealth of 1/4” plate glass perfect for my wanna be studio.... and of course along with the materials comes the challenge of designing the space to accept the various sized and shaped windows. As the dream advances so does the size and height of the imagined studio. My mind wanders to studios past and present- of close friends’ and perceived master’s. The funny thing is I have always managed to define my art space judiciously with regards to living with other people and the confines of the house. Some of my requirements are dancing space—I need to have space to move—to be able to express physically as well as on canvas. It’s a chance to limber up stiff joints, get a little cardiovascular thing going and find a fast way to the kitchen!! One of the other advantages of this movement is to see the piece from different angles and distances. Really. This is a must and is highly recommended to artists of all ages (you may want to see your doctor before any prolonged periods of dance therapy). My studio space tends to be the center of the house, with all the issues that comes with that choice. You can spend a minute or two pondering that aspect I’m sure! In truth I kind of spread the stuff around. Our spaces are defined by creative work areas, storage space, framing sections, and business areas. For some artisans this can all happen in one large room. Others find ways of dispersing the activities in many rooms—that would be me.
So as I imagine my new studio space adding to and replacing my current arenas, I am hoping that it can evolve into a place that will serve all its perceived functions. And of course, filled with all these odd windows, I can only hope that I won’t have to replace them for the same reasons I’m replacing them now. After all, moving six by seven foot 1/4” plate glass once seems to be plenty—twice is foolish—and that would be me too! Why didn’t I just stick to building that driftwood wall... Don did you get it... stick to the driftwood....
Oh well, see you soon at Art by the Bay and other places too.
- Johnny D.
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