Wednesday 9 May 2012

studio treasure .....

There is something incredibly special about buying something  directly from the artist who has made it and just lately I have had a bit of a splurge buying small treasures from the UK, from USA and from 'just around the corner'.  Such fun.  It made me realise how much I love having a collection of these treasures around me in the studio ..... little bits to inspire, remind and bring joy.


I have been setting up studio once again, having not had a proper base for a couple of years, and it has been fun.  Not there yet, but I am beginning to find things (still have a removal booked from a storage shed next week with MANY more boxes to unpack) and set up home for some of my clutter.  My favourites in the studio would certainly be those precious objects and works from artists I have known for some time, and those that I have just discovered recently.  Thought I would share some of my studio treasure in this blog - seeing we have been having a good look at some of the studio stacks and bundles in this blogging tribe .....



I collect white porcelain, amongst other things and have pieces by Shannon Garson, Mel Robson, Molly Bosworth, Jan Dunlop, Robin King, Julie Shepherd, Chris Bell and most recently, from almost around the corner, Kim Schoenberger.  The written piece below was inscribed by Chris Bell and is called October Snowballs.  The writing begins ...... the sky is full of the wandering snowflakes.  They do not fall as one might expect, but fly, like white butterflies, weightless in the restless, cold air ...
Little by little the landscape becomes hushed in the soft embrace of snow. All sound is muffled .... 
Ahhhh - how beautiful is that.



I love mixing handmade wonders with those of the natural world ..... this hand painted piece of porcelain is incredibly tactile.  I bought it in Steamboat, Colorado early last year when we were over there skiing.  I could not find out much about the artist but it is signed J Lewis, Acoma.  Delicious.


This is my most recent purchase from Kim - just love the piercings ........ actually think it photographs well with the fossils. 


Here is one of Shannon's nests (I have been addicted to them and have given many as gifts) sitting atop a piece of tiger's eye which is on top of a tea bag book given to me by Adele Outerridge, in 1998.





Here is one of Fiona's books, in fact two of them .... the little metal book in the front is also one of hers.  In the background is one of Patti's teabag drawings.


More work here by Patti and Fiona, and couple of other artist's books.



A lovely mix of rusted pagers and crystals - angels hair within so I am told.  I don't really understand anything about such things but do love these crystals.


This is part of an etching of mine and a rusted piece of Barry's work - I have a few of those around the house too!


 Some more work by Patti awaiting framing and a gorgeous textile fragment by Jackie Bowcutt called Snow Writing which really appealed to me and she kindly let me purchase.


These two busts, one in bronze and one in porcelain I bought from my South African cousin Rosamund O'Connor who had studied in Goldsmith's in London.  I bought these and other pieces from her exhibition in the 70's. Probably the very first personal pieces I ever owned and very dear to me.  In the background there is another of Shannon's porcelain vessels.



I consider myself most fortunate to have these treasures keeping me company in the studio.  Of course I have paintings and etchings too .... but that is another story!

16 comments:

  1. What a wonderful studio! It looks huge. I oohed and ahhed and even drooled a bit looking at all your treasures from other artists as well as from the natural world. Not to imply that us artists aren't part of the natural world, but you know what I mean. Need to take another look at those beauties. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. I am lucky to be able to collect and also to work in a lovely large studio Jennifer. Truth is, one can always fill a bigger space and when I am working on large pieces and not books - the studio seems rather small. Not complaining though - I love it here. I look through the trees and down through our ten acres, and in the distance is the sea ..... glorious.

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    2. It sounds heavenly! Right now the view out my studio windows is a wall of green from the leaves sprouting out on the trees. It will stay that way until fall...when the view will lengthen a bit, but still be of an over-abundance of tree limbs and trunks. Connecticut is huge on trees. Me...I love them in moderation.

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  2. S-the artist world needs more artists like yourself - willing to support by appreciating and buying; and then of course you get to be surrounded by uplifting beauty. B

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    1. Thanks Barry, it certainly is lovely to be able to support artists but I know how much pleasure I get from owning beautiful things to which my heart responds .... or maybe something even deeper still ... my soul? Sounds trite when written but I swear there is an actual physical response when I am able to see and touch something I find intrinsically beautiful - whether I am in a position to own it or not - it strikes me deeply. It can be anything from a beautifully wrapped pebble to a masterpiece - the value is not important, my reaction to it is what counts. The masterpieces can hang in the galleries and bring us joy when we visit, but the personal treasures form the home around us.

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  3. Hi Susan
    What a beautiful studio and I drooled over your porcelain collection, I also collect porcelain and I am particularly taken with the Chris Bell piece with the script, it combines my two loves, porcelain and script. Could you send me a link to him as I would love to buy a similar piece. Your photographs of your treasured pieces are works of art in their own right, an inspiring post.

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    1. Hello Eithna - thank you for coming by my blog. I spent quite some time in the middle of the night looking back through months of your posts and enjoying all I saw thoroughly. This time two years ago we were probably driving past your door. We had seven weeks travelling and the first two were on the west coast of Ireland. I have been trying to find out more about Chris Bell - actually think he may be a photographer and was asked todo thatwritingon the porcelain as a project. I will investigate further and send the info - failing that, will take a few pics, write out his prose and forward those toyou to drool over!

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    2. Thank you Susan I look forward to getting getting that. Lucky its not now you are touring the West, it is cold wet and gray here but we are hoping that summer will come shortly!

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  4. Hi Susan, I am just catching up with your posts. Thanks for sharing all your gorgeous treasures. It must be wonderful to at last be in your studio. Love your reference to mark making as opposed to drawing - implying a mysterious link to something quite primeval- oooh, gives me goosebumps XX

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  5. Susan, what a joy and delight to be able to see all this wonderful work you have. I am also very happy to see my pieces among them....how fun to see them transported from my studio in South Dakota to yours halfway around the world! I love a space like yours filled with art....what a wonderful place to be!!! Thanks for supporting the work of artists and sharing your own beautiful work with us as well! Cheers! Patti

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  6. What fun to be 'invited' into your studio...it's a lovely space, and all the richer - and more inspiring - for all of the pieces by other artists intermingling with your own creative energy. Good luck with sorting out your next load of boxes. It seems that one's studio is forever in a state of flux (at least mine is always changing, and rarely orderly!).

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  7. Thank you Noela, Patti and Lisa. I think studios are our favourite places ...... a place of creations and collections. I am glad you saw your pieces in the photos Patti - they will be framed soonish and Noela, the artist's book I bought from you will be in one of those many boxes I will be unpacking on Thursday ..... can't wait to find lost treasures amongst them. Lisa, lovely to have had you peek into my studio. I have just had a wander around your blog and am just a little envious of you living in Florence. Such a beautiful city and I have many many happy memories of the few times I have been there. Sigh.

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    1. Yes, Florence is a wonderful city...It's nice to hear that you have happy memories of your visits. I don't manage to get out of the studio as much as I probably should, but somehow simply being here - hearing the sounds of the city, looking out the window across the terracotta rooftops - can be enough. And every 'outing' is such a pleasure...
      I have never been to Australia (though my brother and his family's recent move to Sydney has presented a great 'excuse')...I am enjoying these new connections to the many talented Australia-based artists.

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  8. What a beautiful 'calm' space. I am honoured to have my piece in such company!

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    1. I am completely delighted to have your work in this company. Love it!

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  9. Hi Susan
    THANK YOU so much for all the trouble you went to for me, writing out the text etc. I have sent of an inquiry so hopefully an Ice bowl will be on its way to me shortly. Renewed Thanks
    Eithna.

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I appreciate your comments - thank you!