Art Making & Studio Spaces: Unleash Your Inner Artist: An Intimate Look at 31 Creative Work Spaces Paperback – January 1, 1651

As I study the results of Lynne Perrella's and photographer Sarah Blodgett's national tour of, as I think of it, Places Where Art Happens, I can't help but consider what a long, strange trip it must have been. Yet strange in the sense of non-ordinary, wonderful, unexpected; strange as differing from same-old and ho-hum. Good strange. Magical strange.Having loved making stuff out of other stuff for many years, seeing where artists work and what they work with has a strong component of inspiration. That is overshadowed by simple awe.The detailed, vibrant photos take us into what I believe to be the heart of each artist who willingly allowed voyeurs behind the doors of their creative lives. This is not the compendium telling seekers where to find IT, how to do IT or what to store IT in. Like the panoramic Easter eggs of some of our childhoods, we peer through the window at a world within and create our own stories about what may be happening on that planet.While we are not left puzzled about each artist and each space, for there is plentiful and revealing narrative to keep us from losing our bearings altogether, we may not find all of our questions answered; for that we would need (1) to visit each space personally, (2) unlimited time to wander therein and (3) a textbook procedural grilling of the artist, who would, of course, explain EVERYTHING.Each entry produces a unique admiration for the perfect matching of individual and environment. The rooms (spaces is a more accurate name) range from blissful order to what we outsiders might think of as, let's face it, chaos. Yet each has evolved or been carefully designed to match the needs of each artist's process, glimpses of which we are given. We are permitted to gaze upon their meaningful objects, some defined, some more enigmatic.What I take from the many visits I have already made to the tables, floors, walls, shelves, drawers, hooks, layers and piles that are the riches of ART MAKING AND STUDIO SPACES, is that dizzying reminder that we are at our best when we are most authentically ourselves. Each location, private lair of a truly creative soul, reminds us that as diverse as our forms of expression are, the laboratories in which every small step or great leap is refined is equally so. And aren't we lucky to have been invited?

We all wait with breathless anticipation for a new Lynne Perrella book and this one was, as always, well worth the wait. Once again Lynne takes a subject that has been written about before in books and magazines, and instead of merely adding more of the same, she turns the dial to a new channel, gives the subject that inimitable Perrella tweak, and produces a volume that stands alone. This is not another "here's how to make your studio - complete with measurements and purchasing instructions", this is a beautiful, intimate, colourful view into the studios of 31 incredibly creative people.The photography is wonderful and the layout as well - I especially love that on one page you see a shot of a large area of the studio and then there will be an extreme close-up of a small section of the same shot. It's like being in the studio, seeing something you love and then walking over to get a better look. Lynne's writing welcomes you into each space and makes it come alive. You leave feeling a deeper kinship with the artist -not necessarily knowing the dimensions or location of each closet, but definitely knowing a bit more about their creative spirit. A wide spectrum of the arts is covered; mixed-media, photography, quilting, print making and others. Who among us can pass up a chance to peek into an artist's studio?

There will always be something endlessly fascinating about getting a look at other peoples "stuff" and peeking into where they live and work. It's never more so when those folks happen to be immensely creative artists and the person taking you on these journeys is the very talented writer and artist herself, Lynne Perrella. Lynne is a superb guide to these intriguing spaces filled with works-in-process and oddities of every sort. She's also dug deep and drawn out thoughtful quotes about the emotions of art making and importance of sanctuary from the artists themselves. I think there is a really great mix of studios here; orderly and refined, crazy and chaotic, indoors and out and many of my favorite people are represented. Tons of great photography is essential to a book like this and Sarah Blodgett's is truly outstanding. We get a fine feel for the studios and their overall atmosphere and the close-ups of inspiration boards, cherished objects, and curiosities are beautifully done. The subtitle of "unleash your inner artist" is well deserved as it's impossible to tag along on these revealing tours and not get your artistic impulses fired up to fill a space or just a piece of paper with urgings from the far reaches of your own imagination. A wonderful addition to my Lynne Perrella library!

I pre-ordered this book a long time ago because I knew it would be beautiful and well done. Yes, I know the author, have even contributed to one (or 2) of her books and several of her collaborative projects in the past, but that does not influence my opinion of this book.It was everything I was expecting and more. It is a book about artists' studios as viewed through another artist's eyes, intended for anyone who wishes to enter into the mind of an artist. As the title says, this book is an intimate look. It catches what your eye would, details, the trees, not the forest. An artist's studio is the closest we can get into the head of an artist. it is an extremely personal space. Creating and filling a studio is a work of art in itself. The photos are more telling than any words could be. If there were no words I would not miss them.As the title suggests, this book unleashes your creativity by appealing to your right-brain. If you want a left-brained approach on storage, organization, how-to, tips and tricks, I recommend Studios magazine by Interweave.

Je n'ai jamais été déçue avec les livres de l'éditeur Quarry. Beaucoup de belles photos, et un vrai bonheur de visiter tous ces ateliers d'artistes, avec leurs ambiances, leurs petits fouillis, et leurs recoins aménagés de façon si personnelle. C'est le genre de livre que j'aime feuilleter de temps en temps pour piocher des idées.