Studio build: Through a mirror darkly

I've always wanted a circular mirror for these studios; they're great for self-portraits, creating space and they bounce light around but most importantly they're indispensable for posing in front of.

Pontification about this lovely Ikea Stockholm mirror aside, this marks the final element completing our studios / summerhouse / offices.

Documenting this build through this blog has provided justification and an objective during a lengthy construction period. It has been somewhat of a diversion of my talents but these studios have always been integral to my practise, providing much needed immediacy and accessibility, as well as a financial investment; saving me studio fees.

So yeah I am very pleased with how its all turned out, considering the time and budget restraints.

In the next couple of months I'll be beginning new art work returning to 'Just Waves in Space'.

A solitary candle, an inspiration

© Steve Shapiro 1975

© Steve Shapiro 1975

© Steve Shapiro 1975

© Steve Shapiro 1975

© Steve Shapiro 1975

© Steve Shapiro 1975

© Steve Shapiro 1975

Book ideas

Some great inspiration for a future book design for my 'Just waves in space' - cloth bound book with a gold embossed cover (design to be confirmed) but this is a good starting point.

Just to confirm I am still thinking about publishing; but that's a long way off, building my own studios first; as well as full time work and of course making art are my primary concerns. But this example embodies how I imagine the finished article.

Carlo Rovelli’s Seven Brief Lessons on Physics (book design by  Coralie Bickford-Smith).

www.sevenbrieflessons.com

www.sevenbrieflessons.com

Ritual glyphs

Sketching out ideas for hand drawn backdrops...

In keeping with the 'Man who fell to earth' / 70's films / occultism theme I was thinking of star glyphs...

The drawing of these will form part of the performance; either sat in the circle or it framing a backdrop...

A solitary candle

Loving the bandaged eye get up in Black Star.

The next series in 'Just Waves on Space' will use sellotape to create masks...great minds think alike!

© 2015 Black Star - David Bowie

Studio build: Expressionist bookshelves?

Studio furnishing begins... a few free moments utilised to install some new KALLAX bookshelves...

OK its a picture of a bookshelf...I know exciting right! but its an achievement to get these in when time is in short supply, this is why I appreciate this blog which has been invaluable during these arty doldrums, validating and documenting the studio build, which is integral to my practise moving forwards.

The interior of these studios have been designed to be spacious and multi-functional. It is literally a white cube dedicated for photography but can double as an office or summerhouse. The entrance being more homely with a sofa and this bookshelf, that now groans with all our art books, a record player and my entire vinyl record collection.

Of course I still continue to sketch book and have a schedule of work planned; but not until these studios are finished and I have my time back...all I can say is it involves sellotape.

Studio build: The black lodge

New rug for the studios...channelling a little bit of Twin Peaks.

Black lodge - Twinpeaks

Studio build: The blinding whiteness of the tundra

I've finally completed the interior construction and white-washing of our new studios / office / summerhouse and I seem to have replicated the white room from THX 1138.

Time restrictions created delay after delay and the winter made drying off of plaster especially difficult.

Admittedly it is a little stark; well actually very stark, walls surprisingly blending in with ceiling and floor... the effect is gloriously disorientating but I've still to install some home comforts, paint one entire wall orange, put in some book shelves, mirrors, rugs, a big red sofa; all of which will eventually provide much needed colour and kill the feeling of an infinite expanse.

Time is as always limited hence the delays and intermittent schedule. However once finished this studio will unfold new horizons. I've been critical of myself during this time for pouring so much of what free time I do have into this build; when I could be making art.

To that I remind myself that my time (for art) is limited; many others do manage it but not without some sacrifice. For myself that's unacceptable which is why I've built these studios as they will allow me more immediacy and flexibility.

Studio build: Mirrors maketh a studio

A weekend break at Birmingham's Rotunda hotel and I find our room reflects my plans for a circular mirror for the studio.

This will look fabulous...

I can't wait to get started on this but there's still lots left to do before I can begin on decor.

Studio build: Night painting

Its been a busy couple of weeks in our new studios as interior construction continues.

As I'm doing all this work myself I have had to take time off work, my leave consumed obtaining materials, putting in insulation, plastering, electrics etc and to be able to complete on time and with all my leave gone; I've had to resort to building at night.

All easy work just deceptively time consuming...

Its at times like this that I wish I had paid out more so that everything would have been built months ago,  however I keep reminding myself that by doing all this work I have saved thousands... but it is taking forever as time is something I don't have a great deal of, thanks to full time work.

Frustrating.

I've now begun white-washing after installing the ceiling, walls and floating floor, backbreaking but satisfyingly affordable. Walking around this white cube at night I'm surprised by how incredible it now looks, there's so much potential here.

It's also surprisingly warm inside and on these starry nights I can see us relaxing in here at some point with a nice bottle of the old splishy-splashy.

It's all bleeding coming together.