Tag Archives: Ginger Burrell

Studio Planning: Art Making and Studio Spaces

Posted on March 7, 2012 | Leave a comment

We’re on the last leg of a long journey towards our new home and my new studio. With any luck at all we’ll be moving in the next couple of weeks. In between packing (and wondering where all this stuff came from) I’ve been looking at books about studio planning.

One of the books I’ve been enjoying was lent to me by one of my students, Viveca. The book, Art Making and Studio Spaces, by Lynne Perrella, features beautiful and inspiring photographs. Somehow the studios look both organized and yet creatively chaotic at the same time. Since my studio has, up to this point, been more chaotic than creative, I was interested in how other artists organize their spaces so that they are neat but usable.

I was thrilled to see Pam Sussman’s studio. Pam makes artists’ books and the photos of her 1,800 square foot studio show display spaces for her books as well as functionality such as a cart with wrapped bricks to move weights wherever she needs them.

My studio will be just a small portion of that space at 400 square feet, but I’ve been thinking a cart for my Kutrimmer might be just the solution for being able to cut different sized papers – move the Kutrimmer next to a table when I need the extra support, tuck it in a corner when I’m not doing any cutting.

Some of my other favorite studios are Sas Colby’s, with it’s big doors that blur the boundaries between indoors and out, Faye Anderson’s with her large workspace wall to tack up work in progress, and Melissa Zink’s with the rich wood tables, bookcases, flat files and apothecary cabinets.

I can’t do anything about opening up the walls, but a working wall to tack up ideas and artists’ books in progress sounds wonderful and a must add to my new studio. I’d love to add some of the rich woods, too. Most of my studio furniture is white, very functional, but lacking history.

This book is certainly eye candy for artists. The studios themselves look like works of art. You may have to stay up all night redecorating your studio after looking at this book.

~Ginger

www.gingerburrell.com

Studio Update: It’s Almost Done!

Posted on February 28, 2012 | Leave a comment

We’re quickly reaching the mild panic stage as our new home and my studio are almost finished. What seemed like a dream for so long is finally coming true. For much of the last month we’ve been taking our moving prep a little bit less seriously that we should have been. (Don’t even get me started on Downton Abbey!) So now I’ve got boxes in one hand and a marker in the other. Tell me, is there a trick to this packing tape that doesn’t include wearing it?

Here are photos of my studio from today:

The open door is into the main part of my studio. The closed door is to the bathroom (there is an inside door, too) so we can take cyanotype, paper making supplies, and messy kids straight to the water sources without tracking everything through the rest of the studio. I think I know just the climbing rose for that pretty little porch.

Inside the studio, the kitchenette and desk area. Yesterday my friend Don Drake mentioned that it takes a while to reach critical density in a new studio. I wonder how long until this new space will feel like home? There is something so appealing about the emptiness of the space and yet I can’t wait to fill it with my tools and get to work.

With a few final details and a lot of inspections we’ll be ready to move in. I’ve been measuring and doing a lot of virtual shopping for what will fit where and how to organize the space. I don’t know about you but the planning is half the fun!

This week I’ll be finishing up artists’ books for some orders and shows and then it’s time to finish packing up my old studio. I’m worried about not having access to my tools and supplies. I think I’ll make a travel kit with my essentials so that I can get to them when everything else is still in boxes. If you were making a travel kit of essential art supplies, what would you include?

~Ginger

www.gingerburrell.com

Happy Valentine’s Day: Instructions for an Origami Book with Polymer Clay Mosaic Covers

Posted on February 10, 2012 | 1 comment

I’ve found that artists are kind and generous people. They happily explain techniques, help with technical problems and give tips about supplies and suppliers.

So, in that spirit, I’d like to share with you the instructions for an Origami Book with Polymer Clay Mosaic Covers. We made this book in the class that I teach at Palo Alto Art Center last week and it is always fun to see what my students come up with. They are a very creative group of people! In fact, I’ll ask them if I can photograph their books and post in a future blog.

This book can be a Valentine gift or fit any other theme. While my mosaic is a heart, yours can be any kind of image. It is fun and relaxing to do the mosaic, but trust me, it takes longer than you think! If you are a patient person you can also make your tiles smaller. Mine are about 1/4.”

I’d love it if you would email me photos of the books you make using my directions. Consider it a trade – free instructions for a photo of your finished project.