The Kitchen Table Artist

A few years ago I met a young man who had decided to live out his dream and become an artist.

I was quite surprised by his decision because he seemed such a sensible and pragmatic person. 

I never took him to be the kind of romantic fool that chooses to become an artist – such as myself.

The first thing he did was rent an apartment room as a studio.

He thought this was essential. 

He even grew a wispy beard that made him look somewhat Amish. 

I must admit, that I was a little shocked by the change as before he’d been a smooth-faced, suit and tie man doing an office job at the local city hall.

At this point in time, I’d been painting seriously for quite a few years and all without a studio. 

I’d never even contemplated getting a studio.

I was also quite poor.

If I had any money it went on art materials.

I think this wannabe artist wanted the studio because it was free of distractions. 

In my opinion, this was already a bad sign.

And I was right.

I don’t know what exactly happened, either he didn’t go to the studio, or when he got there he wanted to return to the distractions, but either way it was eventually an expense he couldn’t afford and the studio went and so did the dream of being an artist.

For some reason, which I still cannot fathom, he had this notion that a real artist needs a studio.

I suppose as an artist who paints outdoors a lot I know that painting isn’t limited to a studio.

In fact, for a long time some of my best work was produced outdoors. 

Perhaps this is because there is a ‘charged’ feeling when you paint outdoors and this energy seems to mysteriously pass into the work.

But even when you paint indoors, you don’t need a special studio space in order to create beautiful paintings.

The painting above, for instance, was painted at my kitchen table. 

And I have a wife and children.

So this is not some solitary space in which I can be the Artist.

Yet, despite being painted in such a “humble” setting, I think the painting above is a beautiful piece of artwork.

And just in case you are wondering.

This painting is of a place called Sasebo in Nagasaki prefecture. 

It’s famous for having over 200 islands. 

For me, it’s a source of deep inspiration.

Anyway, I wanted to show that beautiful art can be created anywhere if there is the desire or will to do so.

Of course, if I ever got the chance I’d like a studio too.

Or at least I think I would. 

What I really want is for my brush and paper to be about 5 steps from my bed. 

And that’s what I have now.

What do you think, is a studio essential for an artist? 

Did it make a big difference in the quality of your work or in any other way?

Postscript

I originally wrote this story in April of 2015. 

I no longer paint at the kitchen table – much to my wife’s relief. 

There was a period when I literally colonized the kitchen table and permanently had my art materials on it. 

The family ate their meals on another table in another room. 

Sadly, I didn’t put any cover on the table and one area of the table became rotten. 

It was so bad that vivid green mold began to grow there. 

I must admit that I was a bit alarmed when I saw that.

And perhaps it was for this reason, although I’m not sure now, that I migrated to a room upstairs which then became my bedroom and my “studio”.

That was a much better arrangement for everyone. 

My brush and paper were about 5 steps from my bed!

Now I live in another house. 

But I still have the same arrangement.

In fact, some might consider it better.

As my brush and paper are now only about 3 steps from my bed. 

That’s all for now,

Gareth.