Making a Statement with your studio

[Julie Deane]

I thought it would be fun to start a new thread - on how a studio can make an impression on a potential client. Please feel free to add whatever examples you want.

Here's a picture of the studio of a famous artist from the 20's and 30's, Tamara de Lempicka:

[Julie Deane]

Note how the style of her painting matches the style of her studio. This lady knew how to make an impression, and was definitely of her times. Not that I'm necessarily endorsing this route, merely observing how she marketed a product.

[Enzie Shahmiri]

Julie, this is a pretty cool studio. I wish mine would be that spacious.

A while back , I decided to have clients come to my studio to pick up their paintings and have had to take a good look at my studio to see what type of impression it would make on them. Finding space to hide everything one needs has been a challenge and it seems an ongoing project.

Bills are hidden in a drawer, supplies if not used daily are in closets and anything that could be visually messy has been neatly arranged in containers. I have 2 stand alone easels, one of which holds WIP pieces that are drying, the other holds the finished portrait and is immediately viewed upon entering the studio. I have a very comfortable chair placed at an angle, so that the client can see the portrait or watch me do something on the computer. Next to the chair is another table that holds brochures, my portfolio and my postcards. This is done, so that the client can browse through stuff, while I might be busy doing something for them.

My problem are my books. I have to arrange things by artist, art epoch or art how to's, which means that different size books are placed next to each other forming a visual hodge podge.

After reading an article about studios, I took every painting that was not done by me off the wall. The author said nothing is worse than if a client sees such a work and falls in love with it, just to realize that you were not the artist.

My next investment will be a gallery style hanging system, so that paintings can be easily moved for shows and arranged without pock marking the walls.

As I said an ongoing project in a regular bedroom size studio. I hope more people join in and we can discuss ways to improve our work environments.

[Julie Deane]

HI Enzie -

Thanks for the response! I know that the other posts concerning artists like Sanden's studios show some beautiful spaces already.

My walls in my living room are now a warm gray, which looks nice behind my drawings and paintings. It's more of a living room with pictures on the wall at the moment, though, because my son wants to enjoy the room too, not just mom. My workspace is adjacent, in the former dining room. I always have to clean up before anyone comes over! There is just too much stuff for the space.

That's one thing I like about the studio above - loads of clean empty space with beautiful light.

[Cynthia Daniel]

I really like the studio of Shane Neal. He also happens to be a big Teddy Roosevel fan and has a plaque for him installed in his fireplace mantel.

[Enzie Shahmiri]

I agree, this is a very nice studio. I love the fire place and all the room to maneuver in.