By popular demand, here are a few shots of the new studio. The big window is a cheap patio sliding door. This is what we use in the old studio and it works beautifully. I can't remember the exact dimensions but it is something like 7' x 6'. When we got the big window in we realized it wasn't enough light so we added two small windows on either side. Although we could have fit another large panel -half of a sliding door- on the right side, Tom wanted to keep the light symmetrical and so, since only a small window would fit under the roof on the left side, we put a small one on each side. The argument for symmetry in the light source is to be sure that the light on a very large canvas will be even.

The windows are on the north wall so the light is cool and stays consistent throughout the day; the really great thing is that they start at about 9 1/2 feet and go up from there.




Something I have always wanted: a big wall to put my sketches on so I can see all of my ideas at once. I find that I can actually tape a piece of canvas to the wall and use it as a big easel. There are inset lights the ledge above so that I can work at night.

I did this in horrible conditions: high wind and, eventually, rain. My whole set up almost fell over twice - classic plein air misery. I slogged home in a very foul mood certain I was going to wipe out the whole mess but too tired to do it right away. Then something funny happened - the sketch looked pretty good from a distance. I worked on it for a few hours in the studio and went out and did a drawing from the same spot. One day I'll fix it up; shouldn't take much.

I'm back. Actually I've been painting for a few weeks but am just now getting back online. The studio is finished and is amazing - everything I have dreamed of in a studio and more. My only problem is having too many things I want to do: I want to be in the studio taking the new light out for a spin with a couple of still lifes; I built up quite a backlog of ideas for figures during the months of construction and am anxious to dig into them; we are having a spectacular fall in Vermont and I find myself wanting to do plein air for the first time in years. Everywhere I turn there is something to paint and I want to do it all at once. So...I've been doing a little bit of everything.

This is an plein air study from last week.