Artist Name: Lisa Congdon
Shop Name and Url: lisacongdon.etsy.com
Website: lisacongdon.com
Blog: lisacongdon.typepad.com
City: san francisco
Where in your home/apartment/city is your studio located?
My studio is located in the Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco. It’s an former and current industrial area near the waterfront off 3rd street that is becoming revitalized. There are many art and media studios in that neighborhood. I share my studio with 7 other artists and they are all amazingly kind and talented. It’s a huge space and we each have a chunk of it.
What equipment/tools do you use?
• sander
• glue gun
• hairdryer
• paintbrushes
• paint
• lots of glue
• varnish and self leveling gel
• pens, India ink
• pencils, erasers
• circle templates
• the trusty electric pencil sharpener
• scissors
• sewing machine
• let’s not forget the Exacto knife
Do you have an inspiration board, and can you tell us what is inspiring you now? (please include picture) I have an inspiration wire.
Right now I am inspired by:
• egg forms
• old used envelopes
• text
• vintage flashcards
• a new color palette
• vintage photos
How do you create best (e.g. do you listen to music while you create and if so what?)
Actually I create best when my studio mate Jamie is there. She is right next to me and there is no wall between us and we talk the whole time and listen to music or books together. The reason this is best is because having her there keeps me out of my head about my work. I feel more relaxed and less alone. We also critique each other quite a bit. She’s got her MFA, so it’s nice for me to get her opinion about where to push my work.
Are you working on anything new and if so, can we have a sneak peek? (even if it’s just a corner of something)
I am working on a series inspired by California. You can see all three of them here at The Beholder …and there are more to come!
List (3) of your favorite artists (with links)
Marci Washington (http://www.marciwashington.com/)
Rex Ray (http://www.rexray.com/)
Thomas Campbell (http://www.thomascampbell-art.com/)
If yours isn’t, what would be your perfect studio?
Right now my studio is perfect for me. I have dreams about someday having more space and tools and cool storage but for now I am quite happy where I am.
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Artist Name(s): john booth and arounna khounnoraj
Website(s): www.bookhou.com
Blog(s): http://www.bookhou.com/journal.htm
City: toronto
Where is your studio located?
our studio is located at dupont and lansdowne - it is upstairs from where we live which is ultra convenient
What equipment/tools do you use?
john uses a variety of woodworking hand tools and his reliable steam box. I do a lot of printing and sewing and favour hand sewing more than the machine - I find embroidering and hand stitching meditative.
Do you use an inspiration board or can you tell us what is inspiring you at the moment?
john’s inspiration board consist of images that are found, photocopied and own images - any sort of image or mark that spurs his imagination. my inspiration board consist of objects and images that I’ve collected from other artists and my own. I try to change it often, but find it hard to give up certain works. we both find the inspiration board helps to remind you of things and helps to build a context - I know that I forget thoughts if it’s hidden in my sketchbook
How do you create best (e.g. listening to music, etc.)?
I find that I create best when there is music or white noise. John and I have different taste in music and when were both in the studio at the same time we both agree on CBC radio. I also find if I’m working in the studio late at night I like it quiet and find it helps to concentrate.
Are you working on anything new and if so, can we have a sneak peek? (even if it’s just a corner of something)
John and I try to split our design work with our artwork. John is finishing up some designs for furniture that he is making for kids (prototype for a rocking horse) and I am working some new embroidered pieces for upcoming shows.
List three of your favorite artists (with links please)::
arounna
-kiki smith http://www.moma.org/exhibitions/2003/kikismith/
-ellen gallagher http://www.gagosian.com/artists/ellen-gallagher/
-ansuya blom http://www.galerievangelder.nl/artists/blom2.html
john
-enric miralles http://www.mirallestagliabue.com/
-willem de kooning http://www.zappa-analysis.com/kooning/
-charles and ray eames http://www.eamesoffice.com/index.html
If yours isn’t, what would be your perfect studio?
we can’t complain - we have a beautiful and inspiring work space, but we would love to have a retail outlet as part of our studio space
