The blog of photographer Kim Ayres

Studios

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We picked up the key for Maggie’s new studio last week.

Although Maggie has been using the front room in our house as a studio since we moved here 5 years ago, it’s not always been easy for her.

The big problem, of course, is that it’s in the building we also live in, and this means there are a 1,001 distractions and demands on her time that are difficult to avoid. Additionally, it’s been too easy to use the room to temporarily store things, which then end up permanently taking up space.

Then, 2 years ago, I had to give up my study so my son could get his own bedroom – see Homeless – which culminated in me taking over a corner of Maggie’s studio with my desk and laptop. Not only did this result in less room for Maggie, but it meant that neither of us had a real space we could call our own.

So when WASPS (Workshop and Artists' Studio Provision Scotland) - put out feelers a couple of years ago about obtaining a pair of buildings in Kirkcudbright (the next town along from where we live, about 9 miles down the road) to do up as artists’ studios, Maggie registered her interest.

A few weeks ago the building work was completed and we went down to look round the 15 studios of various sizes to see if any were suitable, and Maggie fell in love with one room in particular.

It’s a little bit larger than the studio at home, and it has 2 large south-facing Georgian windows letting in plenty of light.

Additionally, it means Maggie will now be in a building with several other artists. One of the things many self-employed creative people bemoan is the overwhelming sense of isolation that can occur. But here, there’s a real chance for contact with like-minded people and friendships to develop.

So Maggie and I have already started moving in boxes and tables, and assembling shelving units. And at the weekend we took the kids down to see it.






Although the extra rental costs mean we’re going to have to tighten our belts more than ever, another benefit of all this is I now get the front room at home entirely for myself, which means I can set it up as a photographic studio.

Watch this space...


If you'd like to read Maggie's feelings on her new studio, pop over to her blog and read A Studio of my Own
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27 comments

Anonymous said...

Being a new follower I'm not too familier with Maggies artwork but it does look a lovely calm space to work in.

Jasmine said...

Wow. Good for her! It's a beautiful space and those windows do look gorgeous. I'm very happy for her and glad that she loves it.

savannah said...

as i said to maggie, a place of your own is a wonderful thing! great portraits of the family ayers. xoxoxoxox

Eryl said...

Look forward to seeing the results of Maggie's new independence from the home. I do think it's especially important for women who create to have a discrete space in which to do so, it generally seems less easy for us to switch off from home activity.

The space itself is lovely, great shots.

Ron said...

Kim, You have such an eye for composition......your photos of Maggies new space are fabulous! I continue to be impressed by your natural talent.

hope said...

I've already given her a "Good for you!" now you get one too!

I can't wait to see what you create after the masterpiece of turning a white space into 3 wonderful personal portraits...even in a group.

I am always mesmerized by the serene, peaceful expression of your beautiful daughter. Okay, Rogan's not hard to look at either...she said respectfully, not wanting to make Dad squirm. ;)

litzi said...

Everyone needs to have a space to call their own…to cogitate, create, dream and to have quality time developing your own uniqueness. This is a gorgeous studio! I hope Maggie thoroughly enjoys it.

Unknown said...

The studio looks great. I must say I love the crossed arms in the photos.

debra said...

I love the photographs, Kim, and kudos to you all. (o)

Unknown said...

Every time I click on Maggie's site, my internet shuts down. I can get into any other site. Do you think it is just me or do I have to do a trick to get it?

Lisa said...

It appears there are two artists in the family!! What great photos!! Congrats on this new acquisition for both of you.

Lisa said...

PS Love the Georgian windows!!

Pat said...

I'm so excited for you all.
What next? Meg's Place?
Rogan's Room?
I'm off to Maggie's.

Kim Ayres said...

Poppy - visit her site at www.maggieayres.co.uk and look a the gallery and some of the videos

Jasmine - it is a wonderful space and would be lovely for a photographer's studio too...

Savannah - thank you :)

Eryl - she's incredibly excited by the idea of her own space that can't be invaded by domesticity. Of course there are various domestic problems preventing her from getting there...

Ron - thank you :)

Hope - it's a fantastic space, and with all that liht would make an ideal photographer's studio, but Maggie's not prepared to swap...

Litzi - once everythings sorted out and settled in, I think it's going to make quite a difference to both of us

Carole - crossed arms, like faces that aren't smiling, I think make for much more interesting photos :)

Debra - thank you :)

Carole - I have no idea why your internet should shut down - I'm pretty certain there are no viruses on Maggie's site

Lisa - those windows are wonderful. I'd love to have them for my photography studio :)

Pat - Rogan and Meg got their own rooms when I had to give up my study a couple of years ago

A Daft Scots Lass said...

What a perfect space for Maggie. Congratulations!!!

Brindy said...

Fantastic light to work in. Working within a family space can be seriously distracting, the peace and tranquility this studio will give Maggie so much freedom to create.

Alan Richardson said...

Mmmm perhaps reading too much into the pictures but what do all the folded arms mean? "I don't know what to do in all this space?" . . . or ?

Alan

Amy Flege said...

so cool! and how exciting!!

Kim Ayres said...

Gillian - she's really pleased with it :)

Jacqui - we're hoping so :)

Alan - you saw my exhibition - you know I think smiling faces are much less interesting, and folded arms add to the mood :)

Amy - :)

Unknown said...

How delightful.....I can imagine the feeling she is having. I am dying for the time and space to start painting again.

I love the photographs of Maggie and children in her new studio. they are wonderful!

AA said...

New studio, wonderful!
Photographs, wonderful!
Folded arms, interesting!

;)

Jayne Martin said...

Okay, those photos of the kids' "enthusiasm" are a riot. Wasn't expecting that. Thanks for the giggle. Congrats to Maggie for getting her own space.

Kim Ayres said...

Tara Marie - make sure you start posting images of your work as soon as you start again :)

Adila - folded arms are always interesting - not everyone folds them the same way, for one thing :)

Jayne - thank you :)

Mary Witzl said...

Those kids look pretty impressed, don't they? :o)

Congratulations to both of you!

Anonymous said...

I realize that my opinion is based on only two pictures, but I love the light in Maggie's new studio. :)

Congratulations! I understand a creative person's need for that perfect space (which is largely why I'm renovating the apartment) so I'm super happy for you guys.

Kim Ayres said...

~:C:~ - long time no comments - hope you're keeping well :)

Anonymous said...

As it turns out, 2010 is not such a great year for me. But I'm hanging in there and hoping that 2011 will make amends.

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