The Artist and the Studio

Artist Susanna Bluhm with one of her huge paintings, Inscape Arts, Seattle

Inscape Arts is an enclave of artists and their studios housed in an old historic building in Seattle’s International District.  On Sunday, more than 50 artists opened their studios, and it was a privilege to sneak peeks at their work spaces and an inspiration to see their varied and colorful work.

Making art is difficult.  Making a living at making art is even more difficult.

“Making art now means working in the face of uncertainty; it means living with doubt and contradiction, doing something no one much cares whether you do, and for which there may be neither audience nor reward.”
—  David Bayles and Ted Orland, Art & Fear:  Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Art Making

It was heartening to see the Inscape artists working in such a convivial atmosphere.  The studios and their inhabitants form a community of kindred spirits, one where art making is valued, and their efforts are validated.  This coming together seems like a workable strategy to keep the loneliness of the artist at bay.

“Artists come together in the clear knowledge that when all is said and done, they will return to their studio and practice their art alone.”
—  David Bayles and Ted Orland, Art & Fear:  Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Art Making

Poppy III by Alisha Dall’Osto (Inscape Open Studios)

Jen Mills, cups with dimples

Alicia Tormey, encaustic paintings

Chris Sheridan’s studio

Chris Sheridan portrait (with the model, too)