Artist Studio Online Tour and Giveaways – A Blog Carnival


   Go BEHIND THE STUDIO DOOR and see where real painters work!

Have you ever wondered about the mysterious artist's studio? Now you can get a glimpse of their working spaces in this online tour!

Visit the links below to see the participating artists' photos and descriptions of their studios. Some artists are offering giveaways or special prices for the Artist Studio Blog Carnival.

Marla LaubischCarol SchiffKaethe BealerJo MacKenzie
Michael ChamberlainCharleen MartinSally BinardJacklyn Karabaich
Sharon GravesSea DeanJohnna SchellingTaryn Day
Julie Ford OliverSarah SedwickKim RempelCindy Michaud
Joanne GrantCarmen BeecherCindy WilliamsCathy Engberg


"Around the Neighborhood" 8x10 oil.
Painting Giveaway:
See instructions at the bottom
of this post to enter to win!
MARLA LAUBISCH. 
Welcome to my studio! I'm very fortunate to have a large, airy space for my painting—an upstairs bedroom with running water nearby. I can't say it's very well-organized (it's not), but with this much space it doesn't really matter.

Although I paint almost exclusively in oils, I still have a few other paints and mediums cluttering the studio. In the other part of my life, I'm a graphic designer, and I've got a lot of equipment and tools from the pre-computer days: drawing board, triangles, French curves, rapidographs, etc. Also cans of housepaint, tools, shipping boxes, craft supplies, and art books. And of course my plein air kit—paintbox, tripod, umbrella, backpack...

I know a lot of artists said this Carnival was a good excuse to clean up their studios, but I decided to let everyone see mine in its natural state.

Here's a photo tour (you can click on the photos to see larger images):

The panoramic view.



This is the wall where I hang my "50 Starts" - small, quick studies focusing on composition, value, and temperature.
You can see I haven't reached 50 yet.

The nerve center: Easel, Laptop, Palette/brushes. That easel is a workhorse! The laptop is for photo reference and music. The beer fridge, alas, is empty and not even plugged in. It's just a good height for holding the computer. The window is just to the left of the fridge; I get nice north light.

The only concession I made for neatness is hanging that pretty curtain up behind the easel, to cover the mess in the closet. It came down as soon as I took the photo :-)
These are inspirational (but somewhat stern!) quotes I keep above the computer. Also Christmas lights. Because it's festive.

Oh, there's all kinds of stuff on this shelf. Reference material, product sheets, solvents, tape, glue, ink, waxed paper, drafting supplies...
Also you can just see the plastic shower curtain liner I use for curtains, on the right.
The view out the window. Isn't that gorgeous?

The much-abused drafting table. Those color mixing charts on the wall are the smartest thing I've ever done. Great reference.

I used to have dropcloths covering all the walls and the entire floor. Except for one square inch where they didn't overlap. Guess where I spilled paint? After that, I decided to let the drops fall where they may, and I'll just replace the carpet if I ever sell the house.
Portrait of me that one of my drawing class students did. Not a bad likeness!

For some reason, Igor LOVES to eat in my studio.

This is what you see when you enter the studio.

And this. I'm not sure if she's supposed to be the model or the artist. She's nude, but she has a palette and paintbrush in her hands. I don't like to paint naked, myself; oil paints are kind of toxic.


The King of the Studio, napping right where I have to step over him every time I move.


HOW TO ENTER TO WIN THE PAINTING:

Subscribe to my weekly newsletter—instructions here—between July 1 and July 15. If you already subscribe, you're automatically entered. Winner chosen at random on July 16.
[Frame not included.]


Comments

  1. Hi Marla, I have just come across your blog...it's great!! Love your paintings! What a fantastic idea to have the Artist Studio Online tour and what a lovely light space you have in yours!

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  2. Hi Marla - your studio is much neater than mine and I loved seeing how well organized you are. Several neat ideas - the galvanized bin for one. You didn't write about it but I saw it in the back. Going to get one. Great safety tip for my trash.
    I enjoyed being included and I appreciated your help. Thanks for showing the photo of me painting.

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    1. LOL! Originally the trash can was featured in its own photo! Then I decided it wasn't worthy of such attention. But yes, it's a great thing to have - spontaneous combustion is a real thing.

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  4. Marla,
    Thank you for inviting other artists to join your Artists Blog Carnival. I had fun getting my "studio " organized so I could take part in the carnival.

    Your studio is so nice! I love your artwork AND your cat! :)

    Thanks again for letting me be involved with this, it was so much fun.

    Cindy Williams
    http://www.cindysartblog.com

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    1. Thanks Cindy! I'm so glad you participated.

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  6. Well, this is such fun! Great idea Marla. Your studio rocks.....I am going to show my husband what great spaces everyone else has! That picture of Julie painting is adorable. :)

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    1. LOL, it took me forever to understand yours and Julie's comment - I'm like, WHAT picture of Julie?

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  7. Wonderful studio! Looks like you have a space for everything. I loved looking at your paintings also.

    Thank you for sharing!

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Cathy. I really enjoyed seeing everyone's workshop, and I got a lot of good ideas for my studio.

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  8. I love your studio! Beautiful work! Especially the Christmas lights and the incense ; ) I've done incense a few times and it was so nice. Must buy more. And thanks for all you did with your organization and ideas.

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    1. Yes, sometimes I need to calm down and concentrate - the incense helps put me in a creative mood.

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    2. By the way - this is the brand of incense I use. My favorites are Cinnamon, Green Tea, and Lavender.

      http://www.nipponkodo.com/

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  9. Marla - thank you again for including me. I love the "editorial" part of your tour, feel like I'm getting to know you even better despite how virtual it is.

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    1. There's probably a lot of revealing clues in an artist's studio! Thanks for visiting.

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  10. Such fun and such a great idea! Thanks for including me in the tour. I really like how you put in text on your photos. You have a wonderful studio!

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    1. Yep, Photoshop is my friend. I even erased the laundry tag that was still on the temporary curtain :-)

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  11. I hope I win your lovely painting. The view from your studio window is very like my painting `Rain Forest Trees` on auction at Daily Paintworks. Small world.

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    1. It's a great view - on the second story, I mostly see green leaves.

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  12. I love that you have a beer fridge in your studio! That's so wonderful. It's definitely on my list for my dream studio.

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    1. Unfortunately it's an EMPTY beer fridge - I need to rectify that! Thanks for visiting.

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  13. Marla, thanks so much for organizing this studio tour--I thoroughly enjoying every one! It's interesting to see how artists create wonderful works from such different environments. Even on a boat! :)

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    1. Thanks so much Paula! All the studios were great, but that boat definitely wins most unique, don't you think?

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  14. Ha! A fabulous studio!
    I stumbled upon this because of Sarah Sedwick and Carol Schiff.
    Thanks so much for organizing this and it's nice to "meet" you!
    Best,
    Annie Salness

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  15. Marla, I LOVED touring your studio. Your labels on the photos and your comments are so funny, inspiring too. That is a great panoramic shot. Love the 50 starts too.

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  16. You know what else I like? That it was so easy to comment! Thanks for turning the spam detector off.

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    1. I hate that stupid Captcha! HATE IT. I suppose I could just let the spam occur, and delete it later.

      I really loved seeing everyone's studio - I got some great ideas for improving mine. You know, I don't spend much effort in making it look nice, because it's a working space, but I realize now that it's important to have a pleasant visual environment.

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