Welcome to the 317th edition of A View From the Easel, where artists offer a glimpse into their creative environments. This week, artists share how they create alongside their daughters and find inspiration in nearby cultural institutions.
Interested in participating? Review our submission guidelines and tell us about your studio space using this form. All forms of media and workspaces, including home studios, are encouraged.
Daniel McCoy Jr. from Española, New Mexico has been crafting his art in his current space for four years. His daily routine starts at 5:15 am, involving family and animal duties before a 35-mile drive to Santa Fe. After dropping off his family, he begins painting at 10 am, fueled by music and coffee, working until the afternoon and often late into the night if deadlines loom.
McCoy’s studio, connected to his home, benefits from the natural beauty surrounding it, offering views of majestic sunrises, sunsets, and mountain vistas. Living near Santa Fe, he frequently visits Hecho a Mano gallery and draws inspiration from the thriving local art scene. His studio is a treasure trove of beloved books, instruments, and ideas, although he wishes for more space and outdoor facilities for carving.
Keri Arlotta, based in Oakwood, Ohio, has been working in her current studio for a year. Her creative corner is nestled in her home, surrounded by her child’s toys and vibrant natural light from a large window. This serene setting allows her to delve into creativity, often standing while blending colors on her easel.
In Oakwood, a suburb of Dayton, Arlotta finds inspiration in the surrounding trails and is a regular visitor to The Contemporary Dayton, The Dayton Art Institute, and Rosewood Arts Centre. She cherishes the natural illumination and the personal history captured on her studio walls but longs for more space to explore different artistic techniques and larger canvases.
