#in the studio
Arctic Monkeys recording their third album, Humbug with Josh Homme at Rancho de la Luna, Mojave Desert.
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Studio Pantyhose
IN THE STUDIO | RACHEL KATSTALLER
We’re checking out the creative haven of artist Rachel Katstaller who lives and works in a small shared studio space, located in Innsbruck, Austria. With a view of the mountains and lots of natural lights, Rachel not only finds inspiration in her surroundings, but also in the things she keeps in her studio! Take the leap and find out more about her space, what inspires her and what her typical studio day is like.
Learn more about Rachel Katstaller in our Art School feature!
Photographs by Ulli Hoschek
Where your space is located: Innsbruck, Austria. Right in the middle of the Alps.
Can you describe to folks a little about your studio or creative art space?
I have a small shared studio within the design forum of my city, which means I share a building with other creatives. My studio is on the second floor, with a window towards the mountains and lots of natural light. I love how it’s my little creative haven, and it’s filled with books, small memories from my tropical home and all the art supplies I can afford. Because it took me two years to finally get it, I still can’t believe how lucky I am to have such an inspiring space to call my own!
What’s a typical day in the studio like for you?
I’m not a morning person, so I usually get in late. Before that I’ve already answered all urgent emails from home and then try to carve in an hour of sketching out ideas for myself. Then I normally get started on client work, have lunch with my studio mate, and continue on whatever projects I’m working on until around 6. That’s when I wrap it up and go skateboarding with friends.
What type of things do you keep around the studio to inspire you? What art are on your walls?
I have several things that remind me of my tropical home, like a typical sorpresa of Ilobasco (the tiny figurine made out of clay), pictures of my friends, cool commissions and art from friends. I also have tons of picture books that I always refer back to when I’m in need of some inspiration. The cool thing of being in the design forum is that I have access to interesting exhibitions and books to get inspired.
If you had to listen to one song on repeat forever in the studio, what would it be?
Know What I Want by Kali Uchis
If you could pick anyone in the world, who would you collaborate with?
Since it’s such an open question, I’d love to collaborate with Vans again!
Lastly, what’s something not many people know about you?
It might come as a surprise to some, but I rarely listen to any music at all! Not that I don’t like music, but I find it very distracting and I just love a good audiobook or podcast while working.
FOLLOW RACHEL | WEBSITE|INSTAGRAM
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IN THE STUDIO | BOSS DOG
Artist Mike McKennedy aka Boss Dog recently moved from the comforts of his Portland, OR studio to a new creative space situated in Twentynine Palms, CA. We’re stoked to check out what his newly set up studio space is like, what his typical day in the studio is like, and what projects he’s currently working on. Find out more about Mike McKennedy in our more in depth –Art School interview with Boss Dog!
Photographs bySamantha McKennedy
Where your space is located:
On the border of Joshua Tree National Park in Twentynine Palms, CA
Can you describe to folks a little about your studio or creative art space?
Well, it’s weird because I just moved in. I moved from Portland, OR to Twentynine Palms, CA just outside of Joshua Tree National Park. My old space was covered in artwork and posters by my favorite artists, but I haven’t put much up on the walls here yet. I am excited for a new beginning and just want to accumulate new stuff naturally. My wife Sam helps me run Boss Dog and we do most of the work that pays the bills from home. It works for us. We like each other and our dogs and kinda just like to chill and do our own things so it’s nice.
What’s a typical day in the studio like for you?
Right now I fluctuate between balancing commissions, working on my own stuff as Boss Dog, contributing to the animated movie The Planet of Doom, and being a part of a new restaurant called Black Seed Burger Cult. I use the word balance lightly because I don’t know if I have figured that part out yet. I am way behind on deadlines for Planet of Doom, but I am getting close to finishing my part.
Check it out @theplanetofdoom –This year I am trying to do less commission work and focus only on Boss Dog. I have stuff coming out with Zumiez soon and Boss Dog is ramping up more and more. I am currently trying to figure out if I am more of an artist or a graphic designer or what they call a “brand” or some permutation of all three!!!! It’s all growing pains. I am also super busy with Black Seed Burger Cult in Portland, OR. Myself and a gentleman named John Black (@barelyhumanart) are doing the design and there are two other owners named Mikey Williams and Donovan Collins who are the creative chef geniuses who will run the joint. So, I bounce around between all that. Whatever is causing the most stress at the moment is what I try and put some work in to!!
What type of things do you keep around the studio to inspire you ? What art are on your walls?
I like tchotchkes. I’m not Jewish but I sort of believe in Golems. I like having things around that symbolize protection from another realm. My wife would tell me to cut the crap and just admit that I love toys. But, if you come to our house every room has a golem in it somewhere. It’s usually a M.U.S.C.L.E. figure haha. They are protectors. My brain is usually preoccupied with a world that has strong magical protectors in it. So my art room has a lot of stuff in it I see thru that lens. As far as art goes I love old He-Man, Snoopy, old biker shit, Frazetta, and of course the millions of current day artists who inspire me! As I type this on the wall behind me is a huge tapestry by Jason Cruz. That dude rules.
What are you currently working on in your studio space? What are you jammin’ to while you work?
Today I am doing a hand drawn font for the burger place I mentioned. The magicians behind @kern.club are going to make it a working font. They are rad. I listen to an equal amount of music to podcasts. The last five bands I played on Spotify are: 2 Chainz, Nipsey Hussle, Credence Clearwater Revival, The Band, and Megadeth; last five podcasts I listened to are: Jalen & Jacoby, The Jump, The Nod, Heavyweight, and Reply All.
What art materials would we find on your desk?
I usually do a lot of messy gestural drawing in non photo blue pencil. Everything I do is with the intention of eventually transferring it over to a computer. So, I use a lot of blue pencil or use a light table to ink over my pencil drawings so there’s no graphite. I don’t know how to use an iPad. So I draw on paper, use a light table to draw and redraw my images on new pieces of paper to my eventual liking, then scan the final in. I clean the linework up in Ai and then switch over to photoshop. I am too stubborn to try it any other way so that’s just how it is for me now! So besides non photo blue pencils I use almost exclusively sharpies, regular pencils (nothing fancy, just whatever I can find at the grocery store) Micron .08 and Micron .03 and Uniball white pens from Japan. Those are all my jams. When I paint – which I haven’t been doing too much of lately – I use liquitex acrylic paint and Molotow acrylic paint pens. Also he’s not a material but my dog Bud is always at my feet when I draw. He says he wants to be an artist too but all I ever see him do is sleep. So we’ll see about that one.
Whose studio would you like to peek into?
I absolutely love Skip Class as an artist. I think his process is rad. I can never figure him out and that’s a good thing. He’s present as fuck and just lives it. Check him out@skip.class. Also John Black (@barelyhumanart) isn’t just a friend he’s a co conspirator and just someone whose process I really enjoy. Lastly I think Matt Kerley is one of those genius minds that inhabits weird places and does a ton of different things well. He’s an incredible fine artist, tattooer and he makes rad clothes. He is on Ig as @mattituder.
FOLLOW MIKE | INSTAGRAM|WEBSITE
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Our team of volunteers paid visits to our storage facility this week to photography a wide array of objects related to the history of the RA and the practice of making art. One highlight was this set of fire buckets complete with RA branding! Before the age of fire extinguishers, these proud red buckets were dotted around Burlington House and the RA Schools.
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It’s true when they say “inspiration finds us when we are working”, it sure does! Jotting down ideas & doodles in my sketchbook so I can keep track of them all. I love to create bold stylised botanical drawings in my sketchbooks. Do any of you keep Sketchbooks? What are your go to things to keep you inspired whilst working on an art project? xx
Find me on Instagram @colleensamanthaparker
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Tea break!
My favourite way to relax is to chill in the studio with a brew and have a doodle in my sketchbook. Anyone fancy a cuppa? xx
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Rock painting has fast become a real love of mine. It’s so much fun! This is a little Russian Doll I finished a couple of days ago. Happy Saturday! xx
Instagram: @colleensamanthaparker
I love a good old fashioned Garden Tea Party. So much so that my latest painting has been inspired by them. Here’s a sneak peak!
Anyone for tea & cake? xx
Instagram: @colleensamanthaparker
I had an email from someone yesterday who told me that they loved my Poppy Watercolours so much, they used them as inspiration for their wedding cake!
It looks fantastic & what’s even more amazing is that all of the flowers are edible & made from florist paste!
What an honour! Thanks guys for sending me the photos! xx
Instagram: @colleensamanthaparker
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A small watercolour inspired by all those wondrous little birds out there.
Happy Sunday Everyone! xoxo
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‘Like Wildflowers; you must allow yourself to grow in all the places people thought you never would.’ - Erin Van Vuren
A splash of colour for this dreary Wednesday! x
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Spring is always full of promise & inspiration. No matter how long winter is, spring is sure to follow! Looking forward to being able to spend time in the garden painting again. xoxo
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Happy Valentine’s Day!
There is nothing on this earth I love more than making art. x
Create a life that you love! xoxo
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Sometimes inspiration comes from a single ray of sunshine. It’s beautiful outside today, the sun is shining and the air is crisp. Spring is just around the corner and I can’t wait!
Having fun painting abstract florals in the studio today! xoxo
#feelinginspired
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