I've now had the chance to visit several studios of local artists in Tracy. Each of these studios was unique. Seeing the different qualities of these studios has raised questions in my mind about how studios reflect the personalities of their "owners." Susan Richardson's studio was welcoming and cozy with carpeting on the floor, scented candles, and natural light. It was the kind of place I would want to go to cuddle up with a book and my tea. It seemed to fit Susan's gracious manner. (see post from April 17th) Gayle Knize's studio was organized with an efficient design for different types of projects. Her books - all kinds of art books and manuals - are arranged by subject and alphabetically. It is not a surprise that Gayle worked for the library for many years. She has separate workspaces for card-making and painting, with her supplies right where she needs them. The Knize home was originally built in the fifties by local builder, Franklyn Cole, for his own family and business. Gayle's studio is what used to be an office area. As a result, she has these amazing flat files and shelves built into a closet along one wall. And, since Mark is the kind of guy who just builds whatever he needs, he added a giant "easel" that rests in front of the closet storage. When Gayle needs to access the storage, she props up the easel to get it out of the way. Otherwise, in it's down position, it provides a large workspace for painting. You might think that this focus on organization would make Gayle's studio a little on the impersonal side. However, her personality is reflected in many ways around the room. She has several bulletin boards full of family photos and mementos. And, she has works featuring her family on the walls. Her display of paint brushes is beautiful - almost like a flower arrangement - while still being functional. Gayle's husband, Mark, has his studio on the same property but is separated by a courtyard area filled with plants. Mark's studio was a shock to me. It seemed pretty much like chaos - in a good way. It struck me as the kind of place kids (and those who still believe in finding buried treasure) would love. Pieces of things were everywhere. Who knows what you might find behind those boxes or hiding in that pile of wood? A foot, for example. I believe Mark said it was a cast of his own foot, made for a project whose time has passed and thrown randomly on a top shelf. The reason all of this surprised me is that Mark strikes me as such a calm person. He is so serious in his work - studying the bones and muscles in the human face so that his sculptures will be accurate, for example. I assumed that his studio would reflect this careful and considered approach. Mark's do-it-yourself ingenuity is reflected in his studio. When he needed a stand that would allow him to raise and lower his sculptures, he built one himself that includes a pneumatic lift. When he found that too much dust was collecting in his wood-working area, he designed a vacuum system to suck out the sawdust through a series of ducts as he worked. Gayle's studio was a model of organization with plenty of personal items and family photos. From talking with her and seeing her studio, I've come to understand more about the importance of her family as an inspiration for her work. Mark's studio was pretty much the opposite, and I don't really know what it says about his work. It was wonderful, nevertheless, and made me smile to think how he creates meticulous likenesses of people among the random tools and sawdust. It's even more fun to think that these two are married. Although their studios are so different, the two of them share a love of learning about art, take art classes together, and support each other's growth as artists.
Special thanks to Gayle and Mark for opening up their studios.
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April 2022
AuthorTiffanie Heben is a photographer who has been inspired by the artists in her community |