It’s been 2 weeks since the last Open Studios event at the Fine Arts Building-and a busy night it was!  

Each month, one thing becomes obvious as the evening progresses and it is that for most of our visitors, this is a new experience.  Yes, we have a few “regulars” who stop by to see what’s new (which we love!), but by and large, people are either finding us online or spontaneously dropping in.  The colorful signs on easels in front of the building do a good job of attracting more and more out of town guests.  In the lobby, guests pick up a program and take the elevator to the floor of their choice.  The elevator ride alone is worth the trip-one of the last manually operated elevators in the city!  It is suggested that visitors start on the 10th floor, where a plaque is posted outside of the studio once occupied by Frank Lloyd Wright, and work their way down the stairs.  The list of participants changes month to month and no two months are ever the same.

Like most people, I, too, am somewhat intimidated entering a gallery or art fair booth.  Am I expected to buy something or can I just browse and look at the art at my leisure?  Unlike some galleries I have been in, I think my studio mates and I do a pretty good job of warmly welcoming people into our shared space.  It is, after all, our personal space-where we plan and work.  It’s where we spend many of our waking hours.  The relaxed atmosphere surprises many but before long, conversations are flowing.

Because we clean up pretty well once a month, our space may look a little more like a gallery.   Work is displayed around the room and we prepare ourselves for “company”.  We occasionally get some visitors who stride in, pour themselves a glass of wine and stroll out-without a word of response to being greeted-barely glancing at the art.   Thankfully, that is rare.  I enjoy talking to visitors, explaining the process and doing spontaneous demonstrations.  Participating studios (artists, musicians, dance, voice, theater, yoga, a book store and a paperweight gallery) seem to have a similar approach- I often see guests laughing and lingering til closing as I make my way around the building.

While all artists seek to make a living with their work, my reason for participating in Open Studios is to engage people in conversation while exposing them to new ideas.  Also, as I work alone most days, the feedback is quite valuable. 

So, do stop by sometime...quietly look at the art or we can chat a bit.   I would love to see you.  
                                     “Only connect”.... E.M. Forster

 In 2004, a move to a condo in downtown Chicago created a problem I hadn't had before-SPACE, or rather, lack of it.  Prior to the move, I had a studio in a renovated tack room in an unused horse stable on our property out in the country.  It was cozy, comfortable, convenient and FREE!  And, I could work in my pajamas-anytime I wanted to.  Post move, I was hard pressed to find a corner I could spread out in and get some work done.   In a daydreaming kind of way, I started looking around online for rental spaces.  Surprisingly, an ad for a 180 square foot studio in the historic Fine Arts Building on Michigan Avenue popped up in the search.  Making an appointment to see the place was the next step, terrified as I was.  The ad stated the 7th floor studio faced north (great!) but it didn't have the skyline  view I had imagined as the one large window faced a brick building across an alleyway.  Still, north light is desirable for a painter and it felt right.  For 5 1/2 years I happily painted away, pinching myself-an art studio on Michigan Avenue!  Entering the building on any given day, I am welcomed by singing voices, pianos playing, the smell of oil paint- a banquet for the senses.  The elevators are operated by hand and so one is also greeted by friendly employees who are the eyes and ears of this special place.

Though I quickly bonded with my studio, after 5 years a restless feeling was settling in.  Working alone all of the time can be, well, lonely.   Several years ago, a network was formed within the building:  Fine Arts Building Studios.  The collective is made up of roughly 40 studios.  Visual artists, musicians and others provide a social network and Open Studios are held once a month.   Still, people need large blocks of time to work and so socializing or having meetings are low priorities.

Last November,  a large studio space became available on my floor.  A couple of friends (who also had their own studios in the building) and I had discussed sharing space if the right one came along and this seemed to meet our criteria.  With high decorative ceilings, the bright studio is located across from the elevators and overlooks a Venetian styled courtyard.  There is a bonus glassed in entry to hang samples of our work.  We three are all visual artists but have different interests, routines and schedules.  We moved in together over the Christmas holidays and worked quickly to settle into our separate corners .  Though we were a little worried we wouldn't fit everything in, all fell into place.  

We've worked though a cozy winter, a vibrant, pleasant spring and now  a hotter than normal summer.  Small adjustments have been made along the way but I am happy to report that things are working out wonderfully.  I am learning about encaustics from watching my studio mate, Karen, work her magic.  Oils and pastels are Kathleen's expertise, though she does beautiful drawings and watercolors as well.  I think they enjoy seeing how I use watercolor on nontraditional surfaces.  We seem to compliment each other.  On the occasion we are all in the studio at the same time, we enjoy quiet companionship-and  sometimes a glass of wine at the end of the workday....