The Etiquette of a Studio Visit

Laura Moriarty holding a chunk of wax


Laura Moriarty's new work

Last January (09) I had on my agenda to get myself out of my studio and into other artist's studios. So I slowly began to do some local studio visits. Now, a year later, I am working on a presentation for the Fourth Annual Encaustic Painting Conference in June at Montserrat College of Art in Beverly, Mass.
It is called the:

Encaustic Studio
A digital look into artists' studios from around the country. We will be “visiting” artists in their studios and viewing their set up, ventilation, tools, storage, shipping, their creative process and, of course, their work. The next best thing to an actual studio visit!

I have done several studio visits so far with more to come.
In the process, I am learning the etiquette of a studio visit.
It is an interesting dance.



Marybeth Rothman at her thinking desk





MaryBeth Rothman's work on the wall: encaustic /mixed media




My "working" list of Do's and Don'ts:

Don't

Talk about yourself, your work,etc. (at least not too much)
If you don't know what to say, be honest and say you will think about the work and respond later.
If you are not in the mood, don't appreciate the person's work, or aren't interested. Don't go in!!
When you walk in to a person's space filled with their art and say nothing; that says everything and it's not pretty.

Do

plan to look and listen.
spend time.
drink tea (or something).
ask questions.
look at everything, the walls, the drawers, the floor, the work: all are clues to the artist's world.
leave yourself at the door and step into the artist's shoes.

Be sure to check out Joanne Mattera's blog for a great studio visit post.


Pam Farrell's studio wall and floor



Pam Farrell new work : oil on canvas