Open Studio Tour: selflesh

FrucciDesign

Story by FrucciDesign

Published on July 22, 2009 in Read

Photo by selflesh

In this Open Studio Tour series, we’ll be snooping around Etsians’ creative spaces to find out the story behind the drawing table. We want to know all about our artists, and in the process, perhaps get a bit of inspiration for our own workrooms!

For today’s post, I found selflesh‘s research-friendly workshop through the Etsy Open Studios flickr pool. Add your images to the group to join in on the community inspiration!

What’s your name and what kind of craft do you do?
My name is Shannon Rankin and I am an interdisciplinary artist living and working in Rangeley, Maine.

I create embroidered map collages, small paintings and drawings, as well as intricately detailed site-specific installations. I incorporate the use of a variety of materials such as vintage maps, thread, paper, gouache, pins, and vellum.

For my Etsy shop, I typically create small affordable originals, and I also offer archival prints. My focus lately has been on creating simple, graphic pieces using anatomical and bird forms cut from vintage maps that are hand embroidered. For these pieces I create patterns of each form (for example, heart, head, bird, etc.) in various sizes out of a heavy paper, and then trace and cut the maps by hand and glue them in place. I use vellum to map out the lines for the embroidery, and then pierce each hole and stitch away!

What are you working on right now?
Right now I am in the midst of creating some small originals for a few map collage subscribers, some commissioned pieces, a series of small originals for the new Craftland store, a 5’ x 5’ “Germinate” piece, a series of 20” x 20” abstract map collages for an upcoming exhibition, and preparing for a couple of large site-specific installations that I will be creating at the end of August. In addition to all this, I’m attempting to create A Handmade Moment video for Etsy!

When did you decide that you needed a studio and how did you set it up?
I have had a studio ever since college. Once, I even lived in my studio for about a year, which is where I met my squeeze, artist Justin Richel.

Justin and I moved here in May of 2007, and when we first arrived we lived in a shed while we helped build a woodshop for his dad, with a live/work space above it for the two of us. So, we’ve shared this studio (which is also our living space) for almost two years now.

Did the studio set-up have an impact on your crafter budget?

I have had a variety of studios over the years so I have places for most things, which makes it easy to keep relatively tidy. I keep it pretty simple by using a hollow core door with a couple of sawhorses so things are somewhat modular if I need to move stuff around. Since I’ve settled in a bit, I now have a light table, drawing table, bookshelf, and a small table (where I keep my maps). Many of these pieces were either found, or were very inexpensive. Carving out a small studio space doesn’t have to break the bank. Keeping it simple works for me!

How big is your studio?
My portion of the studio measures approximately 12’ x 10’.

Which is your favorite tool in your studio?
I don’t think I could choose any one tool as my favorite simply because I love them all! I will however, tell you what tools I use the most: pencil, scissors, x-acto knife, ruler, awl, and a needle.

Do you want to share with us one secret of your studio?
One secret about my studio is that I still haven’t painted the floors, and it’s been almost 2 years! Shh…

How many hours do you normally spend in your studio?
I spend anywhere from 4-12 hours a day working in my studio. It all depends on how busy I am, what else I have to do outside of the studio (emails, packing and shipping, listing items, etc.). It also depends on what the weather is like, because if it’s nice out I should be out there gardening!

Is there anything you would add to your working space?
The one thing that I want to add to the space is a wall, and that is currently in the works. The wall will divide the space into two separate studios, and offer much needed wall space for finished pieces, sketches, as well as installations.

 

If you had to choose one synonym for your studio which one would you pick: atelier, family room, lair, lodge, nest, playroom, retreat, sanctuary, shelter, darkroom, or showroom and why?
Atelier or library — it’s a pretty serious place in there where I try my darndest to maintain focus. I use the space to make art as well as research, but there are definitely times when the space feels more like a playroom. It all depends on what’s going on in my head at the moment!

 

 

And last but not least how often do you clean it?
Because everything has its place (for the most part) I tend to keep it pretty tidy. I have a ritual of getting things back in order once the day is done, or at least at the start of a day. Otherwise, it’s total chaos in there, which leads to a foggy head.

 

 

 

 

Thank you, until the next studio snoop, ciao!

If you have an interesting studio or workspace and some tips to share, comment below or add photos to the flickr group, and you may be next in our Open Studio Tour series!

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