Thursday, January 22, 2009

Inspiration or Working from Home

Bee and Sarah have had recent posts about their work spaces/studies. Gretel showed a picture of her table scattered with fascinating objects. Dave King discussed responses to paintings.
(You can see how much time I've spent recently in the Blogosphere since the weather is so beastly cold and I've been pretty much winterbound.)
Robert and I both work at home.
This is his very old chair and a painting in progress.

This is the tray he mixes paints in - a sort of accidental painting in itself.

A photo, a painting, lots of bits of paper that have spray paint and stuff on.

"When oft upon my couch I lie in vacant or in pensive mood/they flash upon my inward eye which is the bliss of solitude...." 
Wordsworth had it pretty much right.  Quite a lot of lying on couches required when trying to be creative.

An unintentional ode to red on my desk. A jumble of things. What resonances each each sets off. 

24 comments:

  1. How fun to see something from your home, esp R's workspace..I like what you said..the lying around needed to be creative :D

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  2. Husband works at home too, as a video editor his space has taken over our 'dining alcove' and turned it into an editing bay ... sigh.. lucky for us both he wears sound eliminating headphones when I am home while he is working ...

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  3. Interesting to see inside your home elizabeth, rather than out of the window. It gives your readers an insight into your personality, I think. Really enjoyed your pictures.

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  4. Your workspaces are far more elegant than mine! I do wish I had room for my own couch or daybed, an essential creative aid, I think. :)

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  5. Wonderful to see the elements of Robert's work. Only in NYC can you find things like the ones pictures from your windows. Lori

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  6. WT also works at home. His office was originally the master bedroom on it's own little wing of the first floor. Nice and quiet back there and has it's own bath. Works well for us.

    Robert's new painting is brilliant!!

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  7. Oooh, covert those cushions! Your ode to red should be blown up and framed and maybe hung above the couch? Gorgeous.

    Does R. miss his Moroccan studio, or is he happy painting anywhere, I wonder. Awesome, awesome to see his work in progress here, too.

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  8. Another fun post! Thanks for the inspiration.

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  9. There is nothing of accidental about Robert's work. Cant' wait to see his latest creation :)
    I bet all that red color on top of your desk reminds you of your Marrakesh. Love the Wordsworth quote, my dear.

    xox

    Isabel

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  10. It's nice to stay inside, especially if it inspires creativity! As much as I enjoyed seeing the tools of your and Robert's trade, somehow that last picture ("ode to red") captured my fancy! Are you about to go for a visit, dear E?

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  11. Mmm, so interesting. Nice to see your workspaces. I have realised that you are right about lazing about to be creative, that will give me the perfect excuse this weekend!

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  12. oops, I'm sorry - I just drooled on Robert's chair! - how extremely cool is his chair! I love the arms with paint smears and your couch by the window looks like a place of contemplation and musings - thanks for the peek! - it was fun...

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  13. I love seeing little glimpses of people's homes and studios. There is a great article every week in the Observer called Writer's rooms which I love. Your husband's painting looks amazing-would love to see the finished thing. I would love to work from home but I couldn't fit 50 children in here!

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  14. Lounging about is so necessary to creativity, you have to get a bit bored and empty for something to fly in. the French playwright, Eunesco (I know I have his name spelled wrong, it's the guy who wrote the play "Rhinocerous") said something to the effect that every day he had to be bored (J'ai ennui) as part of the creative process.

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  15. Hello Elizabeth,
    I love NY and I love your blog...and I love your name :)
    Many blessings,
    ~ER~

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  16. Does my serious interest it lounging and sleeping mean I'm VERY creative?

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  17. What a creative family you are.
    I love thinking on couches
    See you still have a British pasport.

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  18. I love peeking inside studios, I like the idea of a cozy place to sit and contemplate in the space, must try to find room to add a chair in mine.

    I may have walls tomorrow :)
    OHHHHHHHH, the word verification is books!!!

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  19. Hello Elizabeth,
    So sorry to have missed your visit today.
    Looking through these photos on your post, I spy a familiar sight.

    I also worked that starry needlepoint pillow, and years later ... have yet to block it, sew on a backing and stuff a soft little pillow inside it. Where does the time go.

    Hoping to see you soon. xo

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  20. I do believe you like red. And lying around. How creative you must be! :)

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  21. wonderful glimpses, thanks Elizabeth.
    funny, I also came across this neat blog today, you might like it.

    http://dailyroutines.typepad.com/daily_routines/

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  22. what an interesting peek into your world. your spaces are very humble. it's interesting to me how simple robert's workspace is, considering the complexity of some of his work. i need a quiet couch to lie on some days. LOL

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  23. Robert’s painting just flows across the page. It was fun seeing your creative spaces. Those pillows are divine.

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  24. I just visited Robert's website. He's veeery good!

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I look forward to hearing from you!