I was able to see your work in person at the Pence Gallery in Davis last weekend. It was such a treat to observe every brush stroke and the way your paintings appear in person and under natural light. The way you capture the light and shadow in each piece was absolutely wonderful, and thoughtfully arranged in the room. I'm grateful I was in the Bay Area at the right time to take them all in. It really was a delightful excursion in general. Davis is such a charming town.
I lived in SF from 1992-93 and I used to carry large canvases on the bus. It was crazy! BTW I like your work more than Mitchell Johnson’s. Keep painting!!!
I've watched a few artists talk on RUclips and impressed when they make the leap to full time artist employment. However, further in you find out they are a dual income household which makes it a lot easier than being solo.
It all makes sense, especially when your paintings are getting larger. SOME people's perception of you changed, just like if someone says they are a part-time professional or full-time. The reality for most of us, though, is that artists are as serious and creative at home or in a paid studio as an amateur or part-time / full-time professional. I wish you all the best.
I have had separate studio spaces in the past and have lived in artist communities as well, and am currently sharing my living space with my studio space in an apartment. I believe I will again have a separate studio but for now this is what I have. Thank you for sharing your journey, Christina!
This is very interesting. I pant at home and I have always wondered about renting a space. These are all really good and interesting things to think about.
How did you build community before you moved into your new studio? I’m temperamentally a bit of a hermit but I know my practice and my life in general would benefit from making connections with other artists ( in non digital environments )I’m just not sure how to start.
That is a great question! I had to figure that out as well, coming from a non-art background. The long answer could be a whole video, but some things that helped me were finding artists similar to me on instagram who were in my area and reaching out to them, plus going to art openings for artists I liked and meeting them there. I've also met people at figure drawing classes in my area (Of course a lot of this is easier if you are in a big city as well)
This is such a great video! As another Bay Area artist with a home studio I really feel the growing pains and cost considerations you mentioned. It's increasingly becoming a big challenge to store everything! Subscribed
I didn't realize that the San Francisco area provided enough financial support that an artist could afford a studio in such an expensive city. I also wonder since most of the videos I see on RUclipsfrom artists, are either British, or Californians. I live in the midwest, have painted for thirty years and own my home, and that's where I work, in a corner of the basement. Despite doing lots of art work, participating in whatever art scene does exist, and even winning awards, I could never afford renting retail space on what I sell. At one time, my brother was going to pursue his art career on the West Coast, but he changed his mind. Sounds like it s a very thriving art scene out there.
Yeah, so on the west coast LA is the top art market, but the Bay Area also has a decent art scene, and I think it's a bit underrated. We don't have any of the most famous galleries, but we have quite a few high end and emerging artist galleries here, and I've been able to get by. Also it sounds like you've built a strong art practice regardless of the market, and that's awesome!
Great question. Before I had a studio with ventilation, I was painting at home and very concerned about harmful vapors from solvents and mediums. What I did then was paint without any medium, just oil paint. Some of the oil paints themselves are toxic, but only if you ingest them or get them on your skin. I would still use a toxic solvent (gamsol) to clean my brushes, but I would do that outside after painting to reduce my exposure to the fumes. You can also clean your brushes with vegetable oil or dish soap if you want to go completely solvent-free! If you are looking for a medium to thin the paint a bit and reduce drying time, I've also used Walnut Alkyd Medium by M. Graham and it's great!
I'm glad that your studio is paying for itself and providing you with the freedom you need to truly express yourself. it is funny that people would say you are not serious until you get a studio space. i am sure a future masterpiece is being made now in someones bedroom somewhere. i am glad that you know deep down that you have always been serious. i've always wanted to have the benefits of having a large studio space but also have it be similar to home in that, i am the only one there.
I love the natural light in your studio! Thank you for sharing your experience ✨ I still paint from my living-room, this video inspire me to start thinking about finding an affordable studio here in San Mateo, Ca.
Perfect timing! I have a home studio and thought about renting a space outside the home. An artist who is on vacation allowed me to rent her space for the entire month of March. This came as a great opportunity to see if I’m ready for an outside studio. My biggest concern is to pay the rent…so I’m holding drop-in sessions for portraits and maybe have a private class or two. Plus I’m treating this as an artist residency….since it’s next to the arboretum where I can do some plein air painting. I’m interested to see where this takes me.
Congratulations on reaching this phase in your career! I had a couple of great studios in an art centered old tannery. It was a great boost after a year of leaving graphic design and returning to my roots. The building owner had a high end gallery downstairs and I could just carry my large paintings downstairs and she sold them and included them in her 3 day shows in NY, Boston, LA and other cities. We moved to my life long dream of a small horse farm 2 hours from cities big enough to support art, but I have a large room in the house for my studio. I recently gave up using liquin as it made me sick. I use it when the paintings are dry, but have to open the window and leave for a few hours. It is much harder to connect with buyers, galleries and professional artists so far out, even with the internet. I graduated from CCA in Oakland and so miss my home state of California and especially SF! I enjoy your work and videos!
Thank you! That's cool to hear about the studios you have had, and your current farm studio sounds amazing! I also share your reservation about liquin... have you tried walnut aklyd medium from M Graham? I think it is a good non-toxic substitute.
My 'art studio' for years has been my rented bedroom. I would love the luxury of a home studio. I paint with acrylics, so no fumes. Paint with multiple layers so come back to the painting multiple times over several days. Due to lack of space, I am restricted to small to medium sizes. Also, my paints go away after a painting session.
@@christinakentart unfortunately I have moved to an even smaller room so less space to paint. So will be painting on smaller sizes. Need to keep in mind storing the canvases too.
@@soarpurposeAh I see, sorry to hear that. When I didn't have much space, I painted on flat panels or Arches Oil paper since they take up less space than canvases.
For OIL paint: I spoke to a graduate of the Gage Academy Atelier in Seattle, Wa. He showed me his brushes. They looked NEW! He cleaned them without using any solvent ! Here's how..... Wipe off as much wet paint from your brush as you can onto a cloth or piece of paper kitchen towel. ( if you like, you can dip the bristles into some plain cooking oil to loosen the paint more..then re-wipe.) Place a small amount of Dawn dish soap in your hand ( some people use the inside of the cut half of a tennis ball if they don't want direct contact with the paint ) Press the bristles down into the soap ...first one side, then the other. Rinse in warmish but not hot water. Repeat. Last, press bristles again on the surface of a bar of white Ivory Soap until no pigment shows. Rinse well. If you like, you can go through the same steps using Murphy's Oil Soap. Shape the bristles with your fingers and lay the brush on its side until dry. ___________________________________________________ I mix odorless mineral spirits with linseed oil in a small plastic squeeze jar as a medium for altering the consistency of my paints. Everything else is washed clean of paint with DAWN dish washing liquid. It is formulated to dissolve cooking oils and fats. It is a grease cutter ! I clean my hands, cloths..everything with just soap. But Dawn is the best.
![Tee Grizzley - Blow for Blow (feat. J. Cole) [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/wNLN5xsx5dc/mqdefault.jpg)
Is it more cost effective to have a one bedroom apt and a outside studio, than a two bedroom apt with the second bedroom as a studio (my set up)?
I think having a home studio is generally more cost-effective, that is one big advantage and the main reason why I kept mine for as long as I did!
I was able to see your work in person at the Pence Gallery in Davis last weekend. It was such a treat to observe every brush stroke and the way your paintings appear in person and under natural light. The way you capture the light and shadow in each piece was absolutely wonderful, and thoughtfully arranged in the room. I'm grateful I was in the Bay Area at the right time to take them all in. It really was a delightful excursion in general. Davis is such a charming town.
Thank you so much for visiting! So glad you liked the show.
يا الاهي كم احب هذه الفتاة
I lived in SF from 1992-93 and I used to carry large canvases on the bus. It was crazy! BTW I like your work more than Mitchell Johnson’s. Keep painting!!!
Oh I can imagine how tricky that must have been! Good for you though! And thank you :)
I've watched a few artists talk on RUclips and impressed when they make the leap to full time artist employment. However, further in you find out they are a dual income household which makes it a lot easier than being solo.
It all makes sense, especially when your paintings are getting larger. SOME people's perception of you changed, just like if someone says they are a part-time professional or full-time. The reality for most of us, though, is that artists are as serious and creative at home or in a paid studio as an amateur or part-time / full-time professional. I wish you all the best.
Yes, great point! There are so many ways to live a dedicated creative life.
Being prone to burnout is the main reason I paint part-time. Have taken the plunge from hobby artist to semi-professional.
This is indeed A very positive step forward, & I am sure you will continue to make many more Positive Steps Into the future !
Thank you!
I have had separate studio spaces in the past and have lived in artist communities as well, and am currently sharing my living space with my studio space in an apartment. I believe I will again have a separate studio but for now this is what I have. Thank you for sharing your journey, Christina!
This is very interesting. I pant at home and I have always wondered about renting a space. These are all really good and interesting things to think about.
Glad it was helpful!
How did you build community before you moved into your new studio? I’m temperamentally a bit of a hermit but I know my practice and my life in general would benefit from making connections with other artists ( in non digital environments )I’m just not sure how to start.
That is a great question! I had to figure that out as well, coming from a non-art background. The long answer could be a whole video, but some things that helped me were finding artists similar to me on instagram who were in my area and reaching out to them, plus going to art openings for artists I liked and meeting them there. I've also met people at figure drawing classes in my area (Of course a lot of this is easier if you are in a big city as well)
Thanks for sharing your perspective.
For sure! Hope you found it helpful.
This is such a great video! As another Bay Area artist with a home studio I really feel the growing pains and cost considerations you mentioned. It's increasingly becoming a big challenge to store everything! Subscribed
Thanks Kelsey! Glad you found it helpful :)
I didn't realize that the San Francisco area provided enough financial support that an artist could afford a studio in such an expensive city. I also wonder since most of the videos I see on RUclipsfrom artists, are either British, or Californians. I live in the midwest, have painted for thirty years and own my home, and that's where I work, in a corner of the basement. Despite doing lots of art work, participating in whatever art scene does exist, and even winning awards, I could never afford renting retail space on what I sell. At one time, my brother was going to pursue his art career on the West Coast, but he changed his mind. Sounds like it s a very thriving art scene out there.
Yeah, so on the west coast LA is the top art market, but the Bay Area also has a decent art scene, and I think it's a bit underrated. We don't have any of the most famous galleries, but we have quite a few high end and emerging artist galleries here, and I've been able to get by. Also it sounds like you've built a strong art practice regardless of the market, and that's awesome!
Hi Christina, what do you recommend for non-toxic materials for oil painting?
Great question. Before I had a studio with ventilation, I was painting at home and very concerned about harmful vapors from solvents and mediums. What I did then was paint without any medium, just oil paint. Some of the oil paints themselves are toxic, but only if you ingest them or get them on your skin. I would still use a toxic solvent (gamsol) to clean my brushes, but I would do that outside after painting to reduce my exposure to the fumes. You can also clean your brushes with vegetable oil or dish soap if you want to go completely solvent-free!
If you are looking for a medium to thin the paint a bit and reduce drying time, I've also used Walnut Alkyd Medium by M. Graham and it's great!
I'm glad that your studio is paying for itself and providing you with the freedom you need to truly express yourself. it is funny that people would say you are not serious until you get a studio space. i am sure a future masterpiece is being made now in someones bedroom somewhere. i am glad that you know deep down that you have always been serious. i've always wanted to have the benefits of having a large studio space but also have it be similar to home in that, i am the only one there.
Thanks DeVerne! I agree, the studio does not make the artist - great art can be made anywhere.
❤ Best of luck and lots of from my family to yours
Oxfordshire 🇬🇧
Thank you!
i like brush works in the roses behind; you do this less on landscapes.
Thank you!
Brilliant! Thank you for sharing your insights, it's so helpful for burgeoning artists.
Excellent posting of your videos...very informative and inspirational. Thanks for sharing and your time...helps this beginning artist.
So glad you find them helpful!
I love the natural light in your studio! Thank you for sharing your experience ✨ I still paint from my living-room, this video inspire me to start thinking about finding an affordable studio here in San Mateo, Ca.
Hi bay area neighbor! Glad you got some inspiration - I hope you find a great studio soon!
Perfect timing! I have a home studio and thought about renting a space outside the home. An artist who is on vacation allowed me to rent her space for the entire month of March. This came as a great opportunity to see if I’m ready for an outside studio. My biggest concern is to pay the rent…so I’m holding drop-in sessions for portraits and maybe have a private class or two. Plus I’m treating this as an artist residency….since it’s next to the arboretum where I can do some plein air painting. I’m interested to see where this takes me.
Oh that sounds amazing! Good luck!
Congratulations on reaching this phase in your career! I had a couple of great studios in an art centered old tannery. It was a great boost after a year of leaving graphic design and returning to my roots. The building owner had a high end gallery downstairs and I could just carry my large paintings downstairs and she sold them and included them in her 3 day shows in NY, Boston, LA and other cities. We moved to my life long dream of a small horse farm 2 hours from cities big enough to support art, but I have a large room in the house for my studio. I recently gave up using liquin as it made me sick. I use it when the paintings are dry, but have to open the window and leave for a few hours. It is much harder to connect with buyers, galleries and professional artists so far out, even with the internet. I graduated from CCA in Oakland and so miss my home state of California and especially SF! I enjoy your work and videos!
Thank you! That's cool to hear about the studios you have had, and your current farm studio sounds amazing!
I also share your reservation about liquin... have you tried walnut aklyd medium from M Graham? I think it is a good non-toxic substitute.
I’m happy the studio space worked out for you!
Thank you!
This was full of useful insights -- thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
No. Get a rich husband that has a mansion that way you can have multiple rooms to dedicate to your work. And then you don't have to pay for anything!
My 'art studio' for years has been my rented bedroom. I would love the luxury of a home studio.
I paint with acrylics, so no fumes. Paint with multiple layers so come back to the painting multiple times over several days.
Due to lack of space, I am restricted to small to medium sizes. Also, my paints go away after a painting session.
I feel you, I used to paint out of my bedroom as well. Glad to hear you are able to make it work! I hope you can get more space soon.
@@christinakentart unfortunately I have moved to an even smaller room so less space to paint. So will be painting on smaller sizes.
Need to keep in mind storing the canvases too.
@@soarpurposeAh I see, sorry to hear that. When I didn't have much space, I painted on flat panels or Arches Oil paper since they take up less space than canvases.
@@christinakentart yeah I considered that as an option but displaying can be a bit of a pain. Plus the boards tend to warp.
For OIL paint:
I spoke to a graduate of the Gage Academy Atelier in Seattle, Wa.
He showed me his brushes. They looked NEW!
He cleaned them without using any solvent !
Here's how.....
Wipe off as much wet paint from your brush as you can onto a cloth or piece of paper kitchen towel.
( if you like, you can dip the bristles into some plain cooking oil to loosen the paint more..then re-wipe.)
Place a small amount of Dawn dish soap in your hand
( some people use the inside of the cut half of a tennis ball if they don't want direct contact with the paint )
Press the bristles down into the soap ...first one side, then the other.
Rinse in warmish but not hot water.
Repeat.
Last, press bristles again on the surface of a bar of white Ivory Soap until no pigment shows.
Rinse well.
If you like, you can go through the same steps using Murphy's Oil Soap.
Shape the bristles with your fingers and lay the brush on its side until dry.
___________________________________________________
I mix odorless mineral spirits with linseed oil in a small plastic squeeze jar as a medium for altering the consistency of my paints.
Everything else is washed clean of paint with DAWN dish washing liquid.
It is formulated to dissolve cooking oils and fats. It is a grease cutter !
I clean my hands, cloths..everything with just soap.
But Dawn is the best.
Such a great tip!
Love your work, and thanks for sharing. 🥰
Thank you!