Where Artists Create - The Studio

 Donna Sophronia-Sims' studio, is so small that it was difficult to get a wide angle shot. These detail shots will give you and idea of the delightful collection she keeps stacked on shelves on all four walls!


VJ: Tell me about your creative space

DSS: My creative space is a detached metal building in my backyard. I"m surrounded by found and discarded objects waiting to become something beyond their original purpose. I have to modify and join all of the pieces together. While I"m working one sculpture it is not unusual for me to glance over at another object on the shelf and  have an idea speak in my head. In addition, listening to lively music keeps me energized and drowns out other noises that could be distracting.

Where Artists Create - The Studio

 Today, we visit Emily's studio. It reminds me of a playhouse and inside this cute little place, located the Brown's backyard, Emily creates her wonderful portraits and exquisite botanicals. Let's have a look.

VJ: Tell me about your creative space.

EMB:I work out of the studio that my husband built for me in our backyard. I have this perfect little room with great light and I get to watch my girls play outside with a babysitter. The best of both worlds as a working mother!

VJ: What place inspires you ?

EMB: I have to say my studio. I definitely get inspired by beautiful places and nature, but I try not to get too caught up in the feelings or rely too much on inspiration in order to produce work. I fully believe in what Picasso said, "inspiration exists, but it has to find you at work." My best work and ideas pop out while I'm in my studio at 3 am after I feel like nothing else will come. 

In the Artist's Studio

I am so very blessed to have such talented friends all around me.  Last week I had lunch with very special friends at the home of our friend Barbara Morgan.  We started in  her fabulous basement studio. I could live there. I had fun as always taking pictures, then we adjourned to the dining room for lunch and laughter and fellowship.  Barbara is a painter, a photographer and does so many more creative things I'm in awe. Today her brushes. I have more.

Well Worth the Climb

My multi-talented friend Kevin Irwin has a fabulous studio on Birmingham's southside right up these stairs!

Let The Creative Juices Flow!

My multi talented friend, artist Kevin Irwin, has the most fabulous studio. Everywhere you turn you find more of her delightful creations.  Be it glass, pottery, jewelry or paintings, she does it all and WELL!

Shadow Series III - Kevin's Studio Revisited

SHADOW SERIES III

Look familiar?  Of course it does.  This is my friend Kevin Irwin's studio. We've been here  and here many times, but today it's all about her beautiful work and the play of shadows on them. The top figures are some of her fanciful clay pieces, and the bottom photo gives you a glimpse of the delicate colored glass jewelry and other baubles she creates.  They were sparkling in the afternoon sunlight.

I'll bet you think this is it for photos from her studio. Nope!

Let's Sit on the Porch!

Don't laugh.  It's almost porch sittin' weather down here.  I'm lucky enough to have a patio that is fine in the spring and fall.  Summer tends to be a bit "buggy".  Those folks blessed with screened porches get a lot of company in the summer months!  This little porch is on the back of Kevin Irwin's studio near downtown Birmingham.  Wednesday evening when we were enjoying wine and cheese there , it was nice enough to have the doors open.  I'm trying out that rocker on my next visit.

In the Artist's Studio

Visiting any artist's studio for me is like being a kid in a candy store. I crave the colored pencils, paints , brushes, clay,  ..... all the tools that a creative person uses to make the magic happen. On Friday I photographed one that goes over the top!  My very talented friend Kevin Irwin let me roam around her fabulous studio,  and it will take more than a day to show you everything. I am returning to photograph Kevin and some of her finished pieces in the very near future. For now,  I will give you a smattering of the tools of Kevin's trade.  MULTI-talented, she works in glass, clay and makes jewelry!  Her studio overlooks downtown Birmingham and the old building itself is so rich in character, I had a hard time deciding what to photograph first- the bare exposed old brick or the vibrant tubes of glass, bowls of colorful  beads or the whimsical clay pieces. Enjoy!!

The Tune du Jour is "At Last " by Etta James

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