Welcome to the 324th edition of A View From the Easel, a series where artists introspect about their creative environments. This edition features artists experimenting with papier-mâché and seeking natural light. Interested in participating? Review our submission guidelines and tell us about your studio through this form! We welcome all mediums and workspaces, including home studios.
Ileana García Magoda, Acatitlán, Mexico
How long have you been working in this space?
I moved here just four months ago.
Describe an average day in your studio.
My studio is in my home on a ranch, surrounded by nature, on the second floor for optimal light. My day is a mix of studio work and household duties, including garden chores. I start my day before 7 am with coffee in the yard, basking in the morning sun. My husband and I then have breakfast and do some cleaning or gardening tasks.
Before noon, I enjoy more sunshine before dedicating my afternoon to studio work, breaking for lunch around 3 pm. Sun exposure helps me focus and serves as a warm-up for painting. The ranch is serene, so I rarely listen to music, but when I do, I prefer Ravi Shankar, medieval guitar, or meditative tracks. For a heavy workload, I opt for chill UK garage mixes or drum and bass, and sometimes listen to Alan Watts lectures. I wrap up my work at sunset when natural light fades.
How does the space affect your work?
My studio features large windows with forest views, offering relaxation after painting. Nature surrounds me, influencing my work as I spend time in the garden, which fuels my creativity. Nature inspires my imagination and reflects in my art. A nearby natural spring is also a source of inspiration. Living in the countryside has improved my health, making my work feel more focused and enjoyable.
How do you interact with the environment outside your studio?
In this small town, I’ve quickly met people and found a strong community of creators, including artists, ceramists, chefs, architects, landscapers, and writers. We’ve all left Mexico City for a more relaxed lifestyle in nature. The local community is welcoming, and I admire the hardworking locals. At the ranch, city dwellers and community workers coexist, learning from each other. I have much to learn from them!
What do you love about your studio?
I love the light, view, and tranquility, despite limited space for my large works. It occupies what was a “family room,” centrally located with no privacy, which suits my preference for impersonal work focused on nature. Being close to the kitchen is convenient for processes like heating rabbit skin glue, washing brushes, or preparing paper for sculptures.
What do you wish were different?
I dream of a spacious studio with large windows and skylights, allowing me to work on multiple pieces amid an aromatic garden. More space would suit the scale of my work.
What is your favorite local museum?
Local museums focus on anthropology and local crafts, but my favorite is Museo Tamayo de Arte Contemporáneo in Mexico City. Its presentation of contemporary art is accessible, and the building is beautiful. I also admire the Museo Universitario Arte Contemporáneo at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, my alma mater. These visits have kept my artistic aspirations alive.
What is your favorite art material to work with?
I love raw fabric, cotton, and linen, materials I’ve known since childhood. My father was a textile engineer, and my mother a seamstress, so fabric was always available. I find more creative freedom with raw canvas than pre-primed. Ceramics also interest me, but I feel limited when clay hardens. Thus, I’m exploring papier-mâché, enjoying the tactile experience. Working with my hands is integral to my art.
Renee Levin, Rumson, New Jersey
How long have you been working in this space?
About two years.
Describe an average day in your studio.
I start early, post-run or yoga, around 9 am, working for five to six hours on one painting at a time. Though I multitask in life, the studio is where I slow down. Music sets the tone as I paint. I also enjoy nighttime painting when it’s quiet, spending evenings sketching or creating at home.
How does the space affect your work?
Like my home, I believe surroundings impact mindset. A minimal, uncluttered space keeps me focused and calm, allowing ideas to flow.
How do you interact with the environment outside your studio?
The local art community is small but growing, and I’ve connected with other creatives. Proximity to Asbury Park and New York City provides broader artistic communities and opportunities for gallery visits and inspiration.
What do you love about your studio?
The openness and high ceilings uplift the space, while raw floors keep it grounded. It’s unpretentious and supports my practice.
What do you wish were different?
I wish for more natural light, currently substituted with artificial lighting mimicking daylight.
What is your favorite local museum?
New York City’s museums, like the Guggenheim and Whitney, are nearby favorites. The Whitney’s Biennial offers fresh perspectives. Gallery hopping in the city immerses me in diverse art and contemporary works.
What is your favorite art material to work with?
I exclusively use oil on wood panel. Oil’s richness and blending capabilities align with my deliberate process, while panels offer a sleek finish.
