Building a Studio

For metal artist, Kate Silvio, the best part of her job is the idea that someone would want to wake up everyday and look at something that she’s created. What a motivation! That drive and hustle have to live somewhere. After the birth of her second daughter, Kate is setting up a home studio. She’ll now be able to pop in and out, keep her creative thought process rolling, and tackle the rest of the day with greater ease.

As Kate is designing her creative work space, she’s “found it crucial to figure out how you are most productive and happy. There is no ‘a shop is supposed to look this way’…shops look however you want them to look.” Metal working is a particularly expensive art form to pull off in a home studio. Keeping that in mind, she’ll slowly build her stock of tools and equipment. The key is determining which items are indispensable and higher up on the ‘to buy’ list.

Save

Artist Elysia Vandenbussche Kelly

Expression through a nice lump of clay rolling around in your hands, cool and malleable to the touch, seems quite romantic—enough to sweep you away into an artistic frenzy. Your clothing would be ever sprinkled in bits of dust and smudges of slip. Few may know the amount of labor that goes into each piece of handmade ceramics. It’s not all carefree and straightforward. It’s the kind of work that continually breaks a sweat and demands your dirty sleeves be rolled up to accommodate.

In the photos below, you’re getting a peek into Elysia Vandenbussche Kelly’s studio, ElysiaVK. It’s an inspiring spot, even more so when she’s hard a work. Although Elysia may make it appear effortless, she’s accomplished a heck of a lot. She’s set up shop in downtown Detroit and keeps the art work flowing from her personal kiln. Her advice for any other young women hoping to follow in a similar path is:

“Work hard, but don’t hold what you do too tightly. Be open to change and evolving. Embrace your failures, it’s an opportunity to grow. If you’re scared, keep going. There’s no guidebook, so make choices that work for you, not what you think you should be or what’s accepted. Take a risk, but if something isn’t working remember whatever you’re doing is not worth your happiness.” —ElysiaVK

Elysia is wearing: Force Performance Quarter Zip & Series 1889 Double Front Dungarees.

Butter Projects

Alison was on a mission to expand her studio space in the Detroit area, and soon realized how many empty store fronts were available. This opened her mind to the possibility of finding a location to accommodate her needs and then some.

That’s when Butter Projects began. It’s a place for Alison to do her own work, host exhibitions, events, discussions, etc. This open door to the community has done a great deal of exposing the area to the arts. The Butter Projects has sparked dialogue and brought folks together.

It’s also interesting to note that Alison’s gorgeous, tremendously detailed driven paintings and drawings revolve around love. She appropriates “imagery of animals, environments, and objects from popular culture that are suggestive of and stand-ins for two lovers.” Love drives Alison’s artwork and the artists outreach she does in her community.

Find out more about Butter Projects here. If you’re in the area, look for the yellow flag–that means come on in!
Alison is wearing styles from the Carhartt Women’s Spring 2016 Collection.
The large blue wall hanging is by artist, Nick Mayer.

 

Clare Fox of Mutual Adoration

Detroit native, Clare Fox, has undoubtedly left a beautiful mark on her hometown. Using the Motor City as fodder for inspiration and a great place to salvage wood and other building materials, the products Clare makes for Mutual Adoration have a rich feeling of history and stories past.

Symbolism and hidden meanings play a huge role in the creative process for Clare. Each piece she crafts pays homage to the backstory of the sourced materials and often relates to a message she hopes to portray though her labors. For instance, the Union Table Clare is working on in the photos above was first designed as a gift for friend’s wedding. These two tables function as one in a variety of ways, much as a couple does.

Take a look at what else Mutual Adoration has to offer.

(Claire is wearing the Carhartt Women’s Minot Shirt & Soft Hands Glove.)

Anne Bujold of Riveted Rabbit

Those of you who have ever wanted to learn a trade or a skill know that it seems quite daunting. There’s so much to master and it can feel like you’re putting yourself on the line. Take some advice from Anne Bujold, welder and blacksmith. Start small and work your way up to the big stuff.
Anne’s interest in metalwork started in jewelry making. As her skills grew and she became proficient at fabricating bigger and better things, the possibilities continued to grow in her mind. The knowledge she gained in classes and from mentors led her to expand the concepts of what she considered herself capable of doing.
Knowledge is power. The saying may be old and trite, but it doesn’t make it any less true. When you want something, get your feet wet. Learn as much as you can. Keep an open mind and open ears to hear advice and encouragement. Being a woman in what is typically a man’s world may take a little more elbow grease in the long run. Don’t let that dampen your spirit. Use it as fire to fuel the flames of your passion.
One of Anne’s favorite aspects metalwork is the rush she feels as she wields her hammer. Forging hot metal is dangerous and powerful. Keep that in mind as you view some of her finished work above. Don’t let the fanciful nature of her art fool you into forgetting the labor and ingenuity behind each bend and curve.

Anne’s workwear: Carhartt Women’s Zip-Front Sweatshirt, Carhartt Women’s Calumet Crewneck T-Shirt, Carhartt Women’s Clarkston Cami Tank, Carhartt Women’s Relaxed-Fit Canvas Cane Dungaree, & Carhartt Women’s Quick Flex Glove

Where To Get Stuff Done: ADX

 

ADX in Portland is a makers’ dream. It’s a 12,000 square foot facility filled with tools, space to work, and other like-minded folks. There’s a wood shop, metal shop, factory floor, and design lab; all equipped for pretty much anything you can dream up. All you have to do is get a membership, much like you would at the gym. That membership gives you access to the space, help from the staff, and the chance to sign up for on site classes. And when you need to a break or a caffeine fix, head on over the the cafe for a pick me up. 
Meet Yelena Prusakova. She’s an artist and member at ADX. Take a look as she puts together a frame for a poster in the wood shop. With her background in Industrial and Interaction Design and access to whatever she needs at ADX, Yelena can bring her inspirations and visions to life.

Check out Yelena’s work wear here: Carhartt Women’s Dunlow Sweatshirt, Women’s Calumet Crewneck Shirt, Women’s Relaxed Fit Canvas Kane Dungaree, & Women’s Quick Flex Glove.