ereisa wells gentile

a room of one's own: having a space to do your artwork

I have a studio space. 

It may not seem like a big deal but, for me, it's huge - it's everything. 

                  
 

                   

                   

It wasn't always the case that I had a real space to work in. Oh, sure, I had an easel and my supplies neatly tucked into drawers and a drawing table I could share with my husband but I didn't have a space of my own. I didn't have a place to lay out my materials and keep them out or a place to leave work in progress displayed so i could think over what my next steps might be. I couldn't tack up inspiring bits of art or photographs or little pieces of nature that inspire me. I didn't have light. 

                   

                   

                   

Believe it or not, in my previous apartment, I painted in the kitchen of all places. I can tell you, there is nothing more depressing (at least it was for me). Maybe it was the florescent-y light overhead or that my painting spot was the thoroughfare between the living room and the bathroom. But, for an artist suffering from long bouts of creative blocks, it was deadly. Frankly, I pretty much stopped working. Maybe it's just me but I think where an artist does her work is crucial. We are people who need to be surrounded by things that visually stimulate us (a pantry and the litter box don't count). We need, well, we need a little romance in our work space. 

It took me a long time to make the connection between my lack of work and my lack of space. 

 I think this is a common problem for artist living in the small, cramped apartments of New York. Apartments here are so expensive - even if it's just one room that houses your bed, your kitchen and a door leading to a tiny bathroom. It can be next to impossible to afford a place to live in with space leftover to accommodate your artwork. 

I also realize that it's not just city dwellers who struggle with this. I have heard from other friends and relatives about the struggle to find a place to call their own and how detrimental it has been to their work. 

                    

                    

If I can pass along one thing to other artists out there (especially those who are struggling with getting things done) - it's that you have to create a space... any space. Maybe that means sacrificing the spare bedroom or carving out a corner of the dining room. Even if you have to move to an area that makes your commute to work a little longer (but gets you that cheaper rent) like we did... it's worth it. Finding a place/space for your work often means sacrificing something else (whether it's a room, a corner, a neighborhood, or your time) but what will you value more when you look back at your life? 

Now get to work :)

-Ereisa

Back again :)

Remember me? 

I suppose I took a bit of an unplanned vacation from posting recently. I've been working on a pretty big project (which I hope to share with you soon) that has taken up most of my time during the past month or so. 

I do have a little something to share though... done in cut canvas pieces (yes, I am still trying to recycle those old paintings that were never really finished). I can't bring myself to get rid of them but I have to admit I'll be glad to finish with them as the cutting is far more labor-intensive than the paper cuts. 

                   

                   

                   

My goal this month is to be around more regularly. I just don't work as well without a deadline so I'm looking for one - but, in the meantime, I'll just have to try to be more disciplined. ;)

Have a great week,

Ereisa :)

almost april :) new paper cuts

It's been a hectic few weeks both at home and at work and I haven't been able to do as much in the studio as I'd like. I have my eye on a couple of other juried shows (with deadlines looming) so I really need to focus and get my new piece finished. I worked on a few of the small paper cuts last week (that together will make one large composition). 

                  

                   

                   

Though I'm not sure how I will incorporate all these little guys into something cohesive, I am having so much fun playing around with them... it seems like there are endless possibilities. 

                   

I'm so happy that April is almost here and even though I know to expect a lot of rain I am thrilled at the prospect of warmer weather and things coming back to life... and inspiration!

Have a great week...

-Ereisa :)

a day in Manhattan

FINALLY. Finally, it's Spring and the weather the past two days has been absolutely beautiful. I took a trip to the city yesterday with my husband to collect some much-needed vitamin D from the sun and in search of inspiration. Julia Cameron in The Artist's Way talks about the importance of "filling the well".  That it's important to take in other people's creative work and to have interesting experiences outside of the four walls of your studio. I feel like I have done quite a bit of work so far this year and it was time to get out and take in some art and the energy of New York. We had a plan of sorts (a trip to the flower district and on to the Whitney Biennial) but the thing about New York is, you have to be open to whatever comes up while you are there... interesting things crop up every other block it seems.

We began in the flower district so I could pick up some reference...

                    

                    

Randy made a friend in one of the shops... he has a thing for animals with jobs.

                     

We came across a flea market - I was pretty taken with these beads...

                     

                     

Of course, we had to stop for a hot dog... I know I know, but I can't resist.

                     

It's been awhile since we've been to the Whitney and we forgot that its far less pricey on Friday nights, so we opted instead for the Metropolitan Museum of Art. We spent most of our time looking at Asian art - we had never seen that section before. There are some beautiful things...

                    

                     

                     

Then, with our dogs barking, we went back to Brooklyn. I got some nice take home inspiration as well. These:

                    

                    

                    

                    

And this:

                   

It really does make me excited to work. Have a great week and enjoy this Spring weather. :)

-Ereisa

Wide Open Art Show

                   
Despite terrible rain, damaging winds and flooding in Red Hook, the turn out at the Wide Open Art Show opening was impressive. We arrived around 3:30 and had a great time sipping Champagne and discussing the artwork. Thank you to my husband for taking pictures so that I could enjoy the show. 

                    

Housed in a pre-Civil War waterfront warehouse, the BWAC art space is very special with a strong feeling of history.

                    

                    

                   
 

                    

My little brother recently moved to New York. It was so fun to have him at the show.

                    

                    

My husband and my youngest collector :)

                    

The award winners (above)...

Here are the pieces I submitted for the "Affordable Art Wall":

                    

                    

Afterwards, we went to dinner at L&B's (a Brooklyn Institution) for their famous pizza and antipasto... the perfect ending to a great day.

-Ereisa :)

seeds

I spent this Sunday working on more paper cut studies - this time inspired by seeds. My husband found some kind of spikey seed from a tree outside and and gave it to me sometime last Fall and I've been wanting to do some work inspired by it for some time. The warm weather this weekend got me thinking about Spring and the possibility for new life contained in these amazing little structures. 

                   

                   

                   

                   

                   

Have a great week,

- Ereisa :)

yet ANOTHER snowy day in Brooklyn... :)

What is going on this Winter? Maybe my memory is foggy but I don't recall nearly this much snowfall last year. I know I've said before I'm a snow-lover but even I am starting to tire of it. I'm ready for Spring... open windows... longer days... flowers and budding trees. Still, I wasn't going to let a 16" snowfall pass without getting outside to enjoy it. 

My husband and I took a long walk to the store for emergency supplies: like butter for biscuits and cabbage for coleslaw which will accompany the barbecue spareribs that have been slow cooking for bout 6 hours now. When you're still in the heart of Winter you must have comfort food.

                   

                  

                   

                   

                   

We came across a feeding frenzy... these guys really hit the jackpot behind the bakery.

             

And then this guy showed up...

             

He looked pretty impressive among the poor Rock Doves... (don't you just love that fancy name for pigeons?)

             

Then my husband caused some trouble with a snowball:

             

Back at home the sun came out. Finnian found a nice spot...

             

...and I went to do some studies. I so enjoyed photographing them against some of my wood canvases and in the strong sunlight. It's making me think about how I might combine my wood pieces with my paper pieces in the future. 

             

             

             

            

            

            

I really have missed the sun. :)

-Ereisa

remembering alex

A little over a year ago I lost a friend.

You may think it odd but we only met twice.  Alex was a young designer and artist who worked with my husband Randy.  Long before she and I met, Randy told me about her.  He told me about her art, her strong political views, how she was always smiling and that she and I would almost certainly hit it off.  He also told me that she had been sick but that she had recovered and was doing just fine.

The first time I met Alex was brief.  I had stopped by my husband’s office and he introduced us. It was a typical first meeting - cordial but unremarkable.

Then one week Randy and I decided to go away on vacation.  We had just moved to Bensonhurst and our cat sitter from Bay Ridge was too far to make the trip to look after our cats.  Alex, unprompted, asked one day who would be taking care of them. When Randy told her the situation, she insisted she make the inconvenient trip to our apartment to feed them while we were away.  She also refused to let us pay her.  This was my first real introduction to Alex and her generous nature.  She came by to meet the cats and get our keys.  We chatted for a while and she left.  And that was the last time I ever saw her.

Several months later, Alex got sick again.  Randy watched as she deteriorated and became unable to work.  Within months she needed hospice care.  Throughout it all Randy told me about how she carried herself with such grace and, even as she struggled, managed to still find that smile.  Then, Alex passed away.

Alex’s family and friends held a memorial in her honor.  It was warm and informal and very, very sad.  But this was the day Alex became my friend.  Her fellow art students and teachers talked about what a gift she was to them… how rare a person she was, how much she was loved.  But over and over again, they talked about her connection to art… to her own creativity and to the creativity of others.  How much she was involved in life.  How, especially after she had been sick the first time, she had relished every second she had on this planet.  Alex made her art.  She didn’t have the luxury of putting things off for another day or procrastinating because she felt insecure about her work.  She just joyfully did it.

I wholeheartedly believe that Alex was my friend even if she never knew. She taught me that it is a privilege to be an artist,  and that our precious time here is to be valued.

At the memorial, Alex’s family displayed her paintings, her elephant collection and a table full of beautiful glass beads she had made. They asked that each one of us choose something to take with us.  At first I felt odd taking something made by someone I had barely known but I felt strangely connected to her and wanted a small reminder of her. Together, Randy and I chose a small bead...

              

                   

                   

                  
 
Now this bead hangs just outside my studio… a constant reminder of Alex, her life, and her creative spirit.  She keeps me honest on those days I am tempted to procrastinate or nights I find myself zoning out in front of the television.  She beckons me back to the studio… and to my work.

Thank you Alex.

-Ereisa

a new (and larger) paper cut

It's President's Day and I'm off from work today. It's been pretty productive - a day spent cleaning, cooking and art-making. I could get used to this. :) Thanks George!

I mentioned recently I wanted to tackle a larger paper cut and was able to finish my first one this afternoon. This piece is about 2 1/2 feet tall. I am really excited to try going even larger. 

                    

                    

                    

                    

 
                       

I have been experimenting with papers lately - trying to find something substantial enough to hold paint but thin enough to cut. The Arches paper used here is a bit thick so I had to struggle some to get it done. I think another trip to the art store is in order before I get a nasty case of carpal-tunnel.

Below is a quick study for a new piece I'm thinking about...

                          

                    

                    

A happy day in the studio...

                    

-Ereisa :)

snow day in the studio

                   
 

Everyone in my studio is enjoying the snow storm outside... including me. :)

                    

                    

                    

                    

                    

... and the snow :)

the cats took the opportunity to catch up on some much needed sleep...

                    

                    

and someone was none too pleased about my disturbing her nap by the radiator...

                    

Several of the bloggers/artists I admire have been making jewelry as of late so I decided to give it a go today using paper clay. It's great stuff - very easy to work with and needs no firing once it's done. After it hardens it's easy to sand and paint and I understand it's carvable which (of course) I am going to do. ;) It's a little porous which I'm not sure I love (you can see it in the photos). I may move to wood later on since I prefer a smoother surface. This one is painted with acrylic and the drawing is done in waterproof felt-tipped pen. 

It was a lot of fun to do:

                     

Here it is with a bird pendant I love made by brightcolorart on etsy.

                      

I'm looking forward to doing more.

-Ereisa