I recently moved into a new studio space with two dear friends and artists Judith Tye and Victoria Drakeford. I have shared studio space since I gave up my big, old house in 2005 and moved into an apartment. Other artists I have worked closely with, in shared spaces are Alison Watt and Michelle Contois.

By working creatively with others, we can develop supportive relationships that powerfully enrich our art practice. Making art is a solitary and sometimes confusing experience. To have people we trust and admire to laugh with, talk to, problem-solve and commiserate with, makes all the difference. It moves us from lonely, to inspiring and mainly just fun! This gives us the confidence and energy to stay with the hard work of making art.

So welcome to the new studio in Victoria and David’s lovely old house and garden…I will be sharing more about this in the future. It is a fairytale, creative environment and I feel so lucky.

The garden outside our studio door.

Making the new space…starts with lots of paint…which covers anything and everything.

Ready to go….

Victoria in her spot.

Looking into Judith’s place from mine.

MORE ABOUT CREATIVE COLLABORATION

While cleaning out my old studio to move, I culled lots of small drawings and paintings on paper that just didn’t seem to have any life left in them. They were going to burn (metaphorically:-)). Judith grabbed the pile and proceeded to make the collage below.

“Saved from the Bonfire” by Judith Tye and Darcy Johnson,
Collage, Framed 24 X 36 inches, 2020 (Available For Sale)

I have collaborated with Judith before. In nearly every joint art show we have had featured one or more pieces we both worked on. These paintings have always been the first to sell.

Me and Judith at our art show in November 2017. We were planning a show for 2020 which of course, didn’t happen. This has encouraged me to move my art practice more online. This may in the end be a good thing. I have a lot of inertia around the digital world:-)

Victoria and I have also collaborated in a different way. We have passed sketchbooks back and forth in a “call and response” visual conversation. You can see the accordion book we did together with Victoria’s new “tiles” which reflect her love and commitment to the natural world around her.

Judith, Alison Watt, and I have had two “Triptych” shows where we framed three paintings together… one by each of us. We would start each series of three in various ways that we took turns initiating. Below is a screen we did.

Alison Watt, Darcy Johnson, Judith Tye (from left to right). Five-foot screen, acrylic on wood panels.

I encourage you to find and nurture a community for whatever creative work you do. We need this for ideas, feedback, confirmation, and critique. It is so essential for my enjoyment and growth as an artist.

Reaching out to you for advice….

I would also like to add something of special interest to you in my newsletters. I have some ideas but would love some feedback. I could …

- Offer advice on gathering ideas and inspiration for creative work
- Talk about my own artistic process and where I get my ideas
- Advice on drawing and painting such as the materials and techniques I use
- Feature other artists that I have discovered and admire

Please let me know at darcyjohnson@darcyelisejohnson.com or darcyelisejohnson@gmail.com

I look forward to staying in touch with you. Contact me anytime.

Darcy