Robin Reece: Studio and Community
Where do you work, and what is the space like?
I have a handful of spaces that I create in. I have a great little studio with amazing light in a space downtown. I am usually there painting my lessons for upcoming classes and recording my tutorials for my Youtube channel. That being said, I also teach classes at BellinghamART every week and love the space there. I also frequently hold sip and paint events at some of the local breweries. Every so often I meet up with Michael Heath and we go out and paint en plain air. For the days, when I don’t feel like going outside, I have a space at my kitchen counter where I can paint if the mood arises.
How long have you been in this studio/workspace?
My wife actually rented my cute little studio space downtown for me and paid for a years worth of rent as a gift because she wanted to encourage me to paint more. It was such an amazing gift! I have been there 1 year in September.
Has your relationship with your studio space (or the idea of having studio space) changed over time?
There are so many factors that play in to how I work as an artist. Much of my work is done in my head before any paint ever hits the paper. Sometimes talking myself into going to my studio can take a lot of work when I don’t know what I am going to paint. I will often come up with all sorts of excuses why “I will go tomorrow” - finding parking, there’s no AC, it’s too cold, there is no one to talk to, it’s too loud, etc. But ultimately, the ability to have a space where I can create things, uninterrupted, without someone looking over my shoulder, no judgement, and having all of my supplies within arm's reach and ready to go, is priceless!! Aside from the silly excuses, it has truly been amazing having this space. I actually always poo-pooed the idea of paying for a space because I figured I could just do the same thing at home. But, I can attest that there are FAR more distractions at home than at my studio and that’s one of the biggest draws!
What does your studio reveal about you that your artwork doesn't?
Many other artists have come into my studio and talked about how organized it is. I do tend to be a fairly organized artist, which I have learned is not common. And it’s not to say that my artwork feels chaotic or disorganized. But I think that many people think of an artist’s studio and think there are easels and paints and all sorts of things just strewn about. That is definitely NOT my studio. I like a little bit of chaos but not too much.
What does being part of an artist community make possible? What does it bring to you/your practice/your business?
Being a part of WAST has been great thus far. I am a new addition, and the support I have felt from other artists I have met has been really amazing. It’s almost like a secret club where we all have something in common and we “get it.” The WAST community feels very welcoming versus some other communities I have been a part of where it’s felt like there was competition on a certain level - a little cutthroat, if you will. At the end of the day, all art is unique, and each person’s uniqueness should be celebrated.
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Want to see more of what Robin's up to? Check out her latest tutorial on YouTube, follow along on social media, or head to her website to sign up for a watercolor class and see her full event calendar.
Visit Robin and other WAST artists' studios the first two weekends of October! https://www.studiotour.net/map-2
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