Behind closed doors

‘The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without the work.’

– Émile Zola (1840-1902)

Portrait of Émile Zola by Edouard Manet

Previously I have posted about my studio in the Mercator Building at the Abbotsford Convent.

In this post I thought I would give you a glimpse inside the studios of my talented and industrious neighbours.

Studio MG1 is the workshop of Phoebe Porter, a creator of stylish contemporary jewellery.

Phoebe Porter in her studio

When I dropped in to see Phoebe she was completing work on a pair of commissioned wedding rings.

You can see the finished result on Phoebe’s facebook page.

Phoebe Porter at work

Studio MG5a is the workspace of Pip Davey, who creates evocative pictures in oil paint and encaustic.

Pip Davey in her studio

When I visited Pip she was working on a series of encaustic paintings inspired by recent travels.

Pip is also organising a group exhibition that will take place during August and September 2012 at the Abbotsford Convent. The show will include paintings by Pip, jewellery by Phoebe and prints by myself, as well as work by other artists from the Mercator Studios. I will let you know more about the event in future.

Pip Davey at work

To finish here is what was happening in my studio on this day.

Rona Green's studio 17/04/2012

I spent the day hand colouring a linocut edition for an Australian + USA print exchange folio and exhibition project organised by artists and lecturers, Melanie Yazzie (University of Colorado, USA) and Rodney Forbes (Monash University, AUS).

Rona Green works in progress 17/04/2012

If you have a particular interest in artists studios and listening to artists talk about their work I highly recommend the PBS documentary series Art21.