Welcome to the 318th edition of Inside Artists’ Creative Sanctuaries, a series where artists share insights on their workspaces. This week, artists reminisce about their fervent creative sessions in basements and celebrate their progress with dance.
Interested in participating? Review our submission guidelines and tell us about your studio through this form! All creative spaces and mediums are encouraged, including home studios.
Maxine Davidowitz, West Shokan, New York
How long have you been in this studio? I’ve been here for three years.
Describe a typical day in your studio. I arrive around 10 a.m., courtesy of a simple commute down my driveway. My Spotify playlist with over 2,000 songs sets the mood, featuring female singer-songwriters and harmonies. I often sing or dance when inspiration strikes. I open my iPad to Procreate sketches, working on multiple pieces simultaneously, allowing layers to dry overnight and capturing their progress for contemplation.
How does the space impact your creativity? The surrounding nature profoundly influences my work. My studio overlooks a meadow bordered by woods, with stones and branches in view. The organic scenery inspires me, and I often take moments to appreciate it, feeling fortunate for this setting.
How do you engage with the surrounding community? The vibrant art scene in Woodstock and throughout Ulster County and the Hudson Valley is a major influence. I have served as board chair for the Woodstock Artists Association and Museum and remain actively involved there.
What do you love about your studio? It’s located in a 120-year-old barn with exposed original beams. Large north-facing windows offer breathtaking views. Collaborating with my contractor, a neighbor and friend, we tailored the space perfectly for my needs, including a ledge for canvases, a collage-making desk, and a rolling cart with a glass-topped palette.
What would you change? Occasionally, I wish I could have installed running water. Instead, I transport dirty brushes to my kitchen. Nonetheless, I can’t complain—it’s paradise.
Favorite local museum? The Woodstock Artists Association and Museum, with its contemporary juried exhibitions and historic collection, is a treasure. Woodstock boasts numerous excellent arts organizations.
Preferred art materials? For smaller works, I prefer wood panels, and for larger pieces, portrait-smooth canvases. I use Golden Open Acrylics and favor silicone color shapers, combining the qualities of spatulas and paintbrushes.
Robert Mango, Tribeca, Manhattan
Since when have you worked in this studio? I arrived in New York City in November 1977. I initially worked as a nightwatchman and carpenter/builder in the evolving Washington Market, now Tribeca, securing a storefront for rent in exchange for maintenance work.
Describe your studio routine. I wake early, read newspapers, respond to emails, and engage in physical activity. The solitude before starting work is empowering. My studio routine involves implementing ideas often conceived during runs, whether starting new pieces or modifying current ones. I listen to diverse music genres, though sometimes prefer silence for focus.
How does your studio space shape your art? After my children were born in the mid-1980s, I moved my studio to the basement, a former walk-in freezer. Despite its starkness, the isolation fueled my creativity. It was an intense artistic process, where ideas materialized into art over 35 years, astonishing even myself.
How do you connect with the outside world? New York’s vibrant, unpredictable environment is a constant source of inspiration. In the early ’80s, I formed the Neo Persona gallery with local artists from job sites, which thrived for a decade before my focus returned solely to my art.
What do you cherish about your studio? My studio mirrors my mind, where possibilities are limitless. It fosters unexpected visions and energy, unlocking deep creative potential, and embodies the essence of ‘stream of consciousness.’
What would you alter? Nothing. My current balance of studio, family, and professional life is fulfilling.
Favorite museum? The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Preferred materials? I favor oil on canvas over sculpted foam, often starting with graphite on paper.
