Karin Taylor

Some studio…awesome!!!

Karin; your studio is heaven! (and it’s white ;) )

Hehe, I sometimes hold my pencil in my mouth like that too :P

Karin its lovely to see you and the place were you come up with all your beautiful creations! Thank you for sharing! Mwa xxx

Looks like a perfect place for a cup of tea and some brainstorming

wow, your studio looks amazing! (I could put up photos of my kitchen table :))

yeah my parents built theirs for it too. its got actual sunlight window things for the roof and almost the entire thing is glass… so you can get as much (or aas little) light as needed..

what better reason to build a house or extension! it is lovely Karin, love all the shelving to store your work.

Well all I can say is that us writers do not need a studio we can still type with carpet snakes in the toilet.

What an absolutely AWESOME space! I’d give my right leg to have such a great creative space… mmm… one day maybe!!! When we make our “seachange” the only things on our wishlist are space for Andy to set up his gym and an inspiring space for me to work in! :o)

cool. looks liek you have fun there.

figured the book and back bit, and i was going to poke some mild fun at you but well, you know how it is with the timezones and artifical preservatives and the speed in which kids grow up.. its all so busy busy busy..

Great to see your studio. Looks lovely!

I need my studio now.

Oh we all have to dream hey!!! I have a mental picture of what it will look like… the tranquility and how relaxing it will be and how it will look and the wonderful art work I can hang on the walls… we will be living by the beach somewhere… LOL – only a dream at this stage!!!!!

Wow Karen – your studio is fantastic – and it’s great to see photographs of you in it beavering away. Feel as though I know you even more now. Thank you so much for sharing. xx

Awesome space, Karin!!

it would be a dream to have a studio like that!

Ohh, I would so love a studio, love yours!!!

Love your studio, can’t wait until I’m able to set up my own :)

waaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!! NICE!!!! i’d give BOTH my legs for a studio that big!!! XD i don’t need big glasses though.. i work in the dark.. give me bright sunlight, and i’d react like a vampire~ AAAARRRRRGGGHHHH!!!! hehehe…
Love your studio, Karin!! can’t wait to be there.. i see 2 new brown paper paintings in progress… ooooO!!! they look cute!! =D i love your studio.. so nice and white!! i love whites… how come there’s the metal thingy on your ceiling? are they for heating purposes during winters? n_n”
Madonna & Child really stands out beautifully in the cafe, Karin!! Wow!! makes me wish i can be there.. it will be so fun seeing all these~! =D

Oooooooh! I’m so envious, I love your space!

Great creative place, Karin! Very cool to see you working!

Ooooo, love your studio. Looks like everything is in arm’s length. :)

beautiful studio karin, great pics!

I want to know how big this studio is – it appears massive! I just bought a house because it has a big shed in the garden, much like this, and it’s going to be converted in much the same way as what you have done. Fantastic, I love your studio Karen, no wonder you produce such awsome work having a space like that : )

your studio looks great karin!! wish I can have such a big studio my own too!!

Hi, Karin!!
Your studio looks great!!!
Oh, it’s a dream studio!!
I want to visit there one day!!!

I haven’t been to Manly yet. : (((
Some friends had opening for their shows, kids parties, weekend shows and my group show…
Well, I hope I can get down there this week!!!!

Gosh! That must be great to have a studio! When I was doing paintings non-digitally, I generally ended up sitting on the couch or standing at the kitchen table with the canvas or paper out flat.

Recently, I bought my first (and really cheap) easel, ever.

Thanks for sharing. It’s interesting to see.

I love your studio! It’s so spacious and inviting! Doesnt matter if it’s a bit messy, it shouldnt be neat in the first place! :D Most of the studios I’ve seen look kinda darl and gloomy, yours looks happy and full of light which is something I really like and think it shouls be :DThanks for showing us these pics…leaves so many of us in awe and makes us aspire to create a space like this someday! :D

what a great studio..you have it all wahini.

So cool Karin. Love your paper lattern thingy’s and all your books and magazines and everything all around. Specially lots of brushes too. When I work sometimes I have four brushes in my hands somehow and one in my mouth lol. I have a ladder in my lounge room set up as an easel. We always have to move everything off the kitchen table so we can eat and well my room is covered in paper and canvas’s. I love all the shelves and how you have stuff hanging everywhere. Sometimes I have a friend come over and paint and we paint outside as I have a cement area out there. It’s great to see how you work so organized and professional. Madonna and child looks wonderful what did you win?? and congratulations. It’s funny you know I’m always buying fashion magazines and have all these beautiful womens faces that I want to draw, I have a Japanese arty fashion mag out from the library atm and a Klimt and a designy one. Love books and magazines and material, inspirational things around me. Thanks for sharing Karin xxoo

Wow, i am impressed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is such a magnificent studio Karin, its so beautiful and big and bright. Thank you so much for sharing, its so Awwwwesome and so you. Love how you are able to leave your works in progress out so you can start where you left off. So wonderful. Such a wonderful space where you create your magic, :O)))))))))

Very cool to see your studio!

Lovely studio.. Lovely YOU.. and lovely Madonna & Child!

): I dont have that kinds of pencils to hold it with my mouth.. and my Camera is just too big to do that! but I kinda want it! I should try some painting again!!

Thanks for sharing these photos!

The master at work!! :) I love your studio! It’s really cool, thanks for sharing the photos Karin!

Hi Karin,, Knew this wood be a hit.. Every corner has a story,, Now I can picture where and how you work…well done …thanks for the awesome pictures :)

Yep I think we are lots alike cept for touching the snake no way…...oh and I am seriously way more messy

WOW! on a scale of 1-10, how jealous am i of this studio?? at least a 25 ;D fantastic!

haha, my shelves would only be full of sleeping cats anyway! wonderful space :D

LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!!!!!! What more can I say apart from I really really want one too!! One as big as yours!! One day I’ll get one. It’s a bit hard to fit something as wonderful as an artroom in a 2br unit so I’ll just have to be patient and be happy with what we have. At least the kitchen isn’t little and doubles at the artroom sometimes as well as my bedroom (storage) and all my books live in the lounge with the workspace (computer and stuff). And the lighting outside can very inspiring (especially as the garden is growing now and not dying off so much!!). So I’m not complaining nor am I jealous.
Just very happy that you have such a wonderful space and I love it!!!! Did I say that already?

I bought our kitchen table just so it could double as a light table… it’s a round glass table. So much more useful than a wooden one (cheaper too!!). Really nice to draw on too (with paper inbetween… not on the glass!! although, painting on glass can be fun!!).

I bet it feels awesome ‘going to work’ each day!! and it’s great that your family is supportive of you. ;D

aww… that’s beautiful!!! Scott sounds really nice!!! Not many blokes have a dream that’s not about themselves (maybe there are and I just haven’t heard of them before) and it’s obviously been a long wait. And very generous of your family to do this for you (all of them).
It’s good that you’ve done a schedule… even if it’s only an hour a day. Much better than going to the gym for an hour!!! Sometimes it takes a while to take yourself as an artist seriously. I’m so looking forward to seeing all those new creations come to life!!!

I know I always put my art/photos after Zac, family, work and tafe (in that order!!). Last year I told myself I’d do something creative every single week… but I haven’t done it all that often. But tafe is only till the end of this year and I’ve promised myself that I’ll use at least one of the tafe days to draw, paint, photograph or embroider. (draw and paint both in real life and on the computer!!!)

Being happy and positive is very important. Life is so much easier now, being happy, than it was when depressed and ready to leave our planet. Not nice, but it does serve as a reminder to live life as well as you can, being with people you love and doing many things that you love. For me those things are Zac, family, friends, work and of course, our beloved RB. Everyone at RB has been so encouraging to me and it really does feel like my home in the virtual world. So maybe I’ve turned slightly geeky, but its not all bad!!!!

I’m so glad that I’ve ‘met’ you!! All your masterpieces put such smiles on my face!!! Speaking of smiles… don’t you just love Fa’s new friend!!! Schmoooooo!!! Love it!!

I guess I should have sent this in a bubblemail… oh, what the hell. I’ll just click the little AC button now… it’s just there!!!

hmmmm… that’s a bit long… oh well!!! I hope you like reading ;D

i just realised something!!! that’s baby me on the lines in the second photo, right?! AAAAA!!! i’m there!!! HEHEHEHE!!! XD

Love your space Karin!!...wish i had that much space :).....you remind me of me…pencil in mouth and chaos with order hehe…..its great seeing your workspace…right now mine is being renovated….adding a floating desk…can’t wait…btw…great taste in chairs…i have the same one in pink….:)

A floating desk….no legs….anchored to the wall….up against my pink wall to match the chair lol :).....the kids and i chair the family room so i declared one wall to me haha..they don’t mind…i have toys all around that i yes i do share :) I wanted the floating desk so i could have storage room underneath and try my best to keep it tidy :) and organzied ,more like protect it from the cats ..i have one who loves to lay on my sketch books and the other goes after the wires and toys :)

Photo 7 is my absolute fav, you look so happy and beautiful and in your element, brill!! :))

Great space, and wonderfully organized too…I love to view your beautiful works on the table. :)

enjoyed looking around your studio, looks like a great working space , lucky to have it my stuff is in all different drawers and cupboards ha ha,

I am sooooo jealous. Would certainly help with creativity to have a purpose built area. Great to see your space in the world Karin…now we can picture you there bringing your wonderful characters to life!

Yeah your are lucky to be so wonderfully creative :))

I had a lovely time indeed, so sunny in beautiful surroundings, I spent my last day there visiting a castle at the top of a hill, a stonethrow from the airport :)

This is a small one, built in 1310, inhabited by the rainier – Grimaldi before they fled to Nice at the Revolution, and are now in monaco as the reigning family as you might now…
Much bigger ones all over in France, but this one is very cute and you have a fab 360 degree view from its towe, you can see the sea, the Alps, the valleys around :)) Great stuff, check out my flickr sometimes, it will pop there at some stage :)

Wow! Awesome studio!

Ooh, I am so glad I found this journal entry again. I thought you had deleted it, can you believe it… I only just discovered that the journals are archived monthly. the amount of work you produce, the quality and your subject matter and working environment are all inspiring to me Karin!

So Neat and organised.

Looks like a great place & peaceful too!!!!

WOW neat!!! thanks for sharing!

awesome karin!

I’m so glad you re-posted a link to this!! thank you.
What a little haven you have. Mum has her own studio too. A portable weatherboard outside and it’s her little haven. I think it helps artists tremendously if they feel they have their own little creative place all their own.
I’m so impressed with all the research, techniques, ideas, and amazing works you have in your studio. Bet people must love going in there for a visit.
Thanks so much for sharing… I read every bit and enjoyed every bit. xoxoxoxox
P.S – I noticed you have a picture on your foamcore sheet of one of my all time favourite books The Red Tree I love all Shaun Tan’s stuff.

I’m really impressed by your Digiart website… have you done that all yourself?
You’re so busy and doing so much. You’re a true inspiration. I hope it goes well. xoxo

And your new profile looks so beautiful. very sleek and easy to navigate. Just keeps gettign better and better xo

ok, excuse my French but BLOODY HELL!! this is my idea of heaven, i dream of being a self sufficient established artist like you one day Sweetie, thanks for posting, it’s going into me faves so i can keep popping back to get inspired. XX

Put the kettle on K… It looks so homely that it makes me want to pop in for a cuppa. ;)

awesome working space Karin!! (I may be a little jealous… :) – I am using the largest room in the house and slowly taking over the rest) Have fun!

oh…PS. I hold the brushes in my mouth like that too & sometimes I even go out with a bit of paint on my cheeks (and wonder why I still smell of turps ….cos I washed my hands and changed my clothes…)

lovely to see what’s happening behind the drawings.
Although it was a bit crowded ;-)

Thanks so much for this Karin, it’s fascinating to see where & how other people work!
& did i spy a Reg Mombassa on your inspiration board?
It was Reg via his Mambo tees that 1st got me really fascinated with art & creating when i was about 6 or 8.
Xxx

what an amazing aladins cave you have karin, it so good to plan a studio for yourself, to be able to work how you want and set it up. I find myself doing the sideways walk everytime I set foot in my room, but ive learnt from long ago that any space is a good space, thanks for sharing

I have to figure out how to do what you do. Or at least how to make it look like I do. Having a space like that to escape too and just do your thing must be wonderful. Keep on keepin’ on Karin!

take all that stuff and spread it all around a big house….and that’s my studio!
nice glimpse Karin

I do know what you mean. It’s like the fish in the aquarium. They will only get as big as their space will allow. More space = bigger ideas. I would love to try wall size stuff some day. You also have more room to store projects that are on hold while you think about them. Sometimes there just isn’t room to let something sit when it needs to.

Yes i do! My family has been in the Surf Industry since i was very young & i’ve been fortunate to meet some of the Mambo artists… i have the most amazing Mambo book called “Still Life with Franchise”... it profiles almost every Mambo artist & garment from 1984-1996… it’s close to my most treasured possession!!!
And actually last time i was in Byron i ended up by chance sharing a shuttle bus with Dog Trumpet, which features Reg & his brother too!
I can assure you when i have a studio(haha in my dreams, but i can only) i’ll post pics alright! At present i draw in whatever spare moments i have… in which case buses & trains are my “studio” i guess!
Oh & BTW the piece you’re working on, referencing Lost & Found… looking gorgeous thus far!
Xxx

I think you are so amazing and so special dear Karin. Thank you for sharing this, it has brought back so many memories of when I was younger…. as I would spend half term with my sister (she is a fine art artist). I would always spend most of my time in her studio painting. She would let me potter around and actually paint some canvases! Really fond memories.
I wish i could pop over and spend a day with you in your studio! It’s so nice to see how you make all of your absolutely stunning pieces of art, and they are so much bigger than I had imagined!
You have the loveliest and kindest face by the way!! and always put in so much work into everything you do. Thank you my friend xxxxxxxxxxxxx

You are so sweet dear Karin, I always get sooo happy when you are online! I do/did all kinds of painting but mainly water colours, but stopped when I got this camera in ‘08. I was in the middle of a watercolour of a kitty and sadly never finished after finding photography. I had never really taken pictures before my xmas present and was a bit sad when my hubby gave me such an expensive present thinking i would only use it when we went on holiday etc, but have truly astounded myself in how much I love taking pictures. Not sure if you can understand what i mean but every picture i take it is like a painting to me. I have also played around with clay, made a whole family of characters out of Fimo, made soap (very very unsucessfully), dried flowers, clothes, played around with beads, the list is endless…..I think i must have done a bit of everything! but there is nothing like the love I have in capturing all kinds of things with my camera, the best pressy i have ever had. Sorry to have gone on so much, the space is so small you don’t really notice how much you have written! xxxxx

yep….I’ve written tooooo much! xxxxx

wow..!! fabulous studio you got there.. very roomy and awesome lightings.. your artworks are just simply amazing!!

Fabulous studio space you have there … love all the little things hanging around for references too :)

Hmm well i can’t think of too many others you’d know… we’re on the retail side of things so it’s only places like Mambo you have these chance meetings, the bigger labels are run really quite corporately now. But that is one of the reasons i loved Mambo…. even at the height of their success you might find Dare walking through the office barefoot & art here, there & everywhere!!!
Although whilst we’re name dropping we did used to get a lot of actors through one of our stores… was near the old Channel 7 studios & pretty much all of the Home & Away cast were regulars! Particularly Kate Ritchie & Bec Cartwright(Hewitt) were long-time regulars… forget the gossip mags, Bec was truly one of the nicest girls i’ve ever met!!!
BTW i think i saw that interview with Reg, & yes he’s very down to earth, quiet- almost shy sorta guy… but has a wicked sense of humour!!! There’s a full interview with him in the Mambo book i have.. when i get the chance i’ll try to scan & email it to you if you like?
Xxx

Stunning space Karin; thanks for sharing these images with us. With most things, people don’t want to see how the widget is made. I think that it’s the exact opposite with art. People love that you’ve invited them into your space – they can read your story, see you work, preview work in process, etc. Be sure to feature this link on your profile page after it’s dropped down a bit in the order. Nicely done.

yes i probably will enter it, havent decided which one, and also got to work out how it fits into the theme, but you can always find a way of doing that, I like to think about what my art means after ive painted it, but theres usually a common link to a particular theme, unless its about footy or something really specific. Im working on a portrait at the momment of my partner and his daughter but i think the organisers have a size restriction this year again, so think it will be outside of that, one of the problems of working on larger canvases!

No probs, will try & do it in the next few days!
Twister… Ouch!!! Thats the interesting thing with surfing, some of the best don’t want to compete… just want to surf… case in point Dave Rastovich(lives up around Byron too!), regarded by his peers as the best free surfer in the world & could’ve gone as far as he wanted on the tour but… another guy i know was No. 2 in the world on the Junior circuit… Number 1. at the time was none other than Kelly Slater!
Occy is a legend, not only as a surfer but just as a person… do you know his story? Truly an inspiration!!! And yes, definitely counts!!!
I wouldn’t knock anyone who rides a Mal, maybe you can’t do the slick turns or exhilirating aerials as on a shortboard but they glide through the water with incredible grace! I remember watching a girl doing hand stands on one up at Byron once!!!
Hmm i don’t think i need to declare my love of not only surfing, but the mags, the culture, the industry, the music, the art… the whole thing!!! It’s in my blood i guess… even though i’ve never lived on the beaches! I didn’t think i knew that song but as soon as i listened to it i realised i did! Ben Harper always makes me think & feel Byron & thus he’s one of my fave artists. Do you know the band The Beautiful Girls? From Avalon in Sydney… gorgeous surf-inspired sounds, there album Learn Yourself is brilliant & the song La Mar is one of my faves ever!
I too used to holiday in Byron as a kid & have been going there at least once a year myself since i was 17… My heart undoubtedly belongs there… in fact i think my heart is still there even when i’m not!
Xxx

Sorry that link didn’t work… added a trailing slash out of habit!
Try this
:)

WHAT AN ABSOLUTE INSPIRATION!!!! :-)

WOW.!! Dedication rules O.K!! MESMORIZED!!

Thanks so much for sharing this Karin! You’ve got a fascinating layout and it’s marvelous to see first hand what an artist’s studio is really like for those who’ve not been in one before. Wonderful set up and so interesting to read about the different tools and mixed media you use to create your art. I adore your work!

Now I’ve got to look up what “gesso” is…......☺

How inspirational…I love your special space :) I have just taken on an art gallery with studio space. It’s a bit grotty (the studio) but it has a wonderful wall of glass and view out over a park. I’m trying to organise it and your photo’s have inspired me greatly. Thanks so much for sharing with everyone. I may put ‘before and after’ photo’s up when I’ve finished cleaning and rearranging my special space :) Thanks again for the time and effort it must have taken to put this page up on RB…you are a blessing.

you are sooooooooooooo lucky Karin!!!lovely studio!!keep on good work!!I wish I was near the sea too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a great studio i would really love to have a studio to work in :) at some point i hope i will my own little space for me, for now all I’ve got is my living room coffee table to work on which is ok but most times i only get chance to be creative during the evening most days but i need peace and quite which i dont get until the kids are in bed by then it gets a bit late.So having my own area to wrok in work be great then maybe i might get this oil painting that i started on about 2yrs ago finished lol :)

Aloha Karin! So I am visitor number 459 and I am a Bower Bird too!
I absolutely adore your space, enjoyed seeing all your wonderful resource materials and supplies, viewing the creative process and I very much enjoyed reading your wonderful journal. It is a pleasure to know you Karin. Your studio is fabulous and your works of art are very beautiful. You are truly blessed :)))

Lovely studio and great artwork !!!

I’m crying – your studio is too wonderful for words… I’m crammed into a tiny space trying to create everything… I’m so envious!

Great space, and it obviously inspires your creativity! Wonderful artwork Karin!

Aww you’re so sweet! I’m definitely in that stage you described – being creative with my 3 year old, cooking, and going for inspiring walks. Exactly like that. So, maybe I’ll have a fabulous space later on too!

Lovely to meet you too Karin, and I can’t wait to see what you create next!

hugs

really karin this was stunning i have always seen ur creations with admiration but was always thinking how u created them….its seems such a dreamy place to create,,,..infact most of the times…i as an artist was only looking for excuses 4 postponing my work n art….but well today wen i see your full fleged studio i feel defiantely u r making worth every inch of that studio work for you and your lovely creations…hope i too make use of my small place in a big way and getting inspired from you…and do things in art which i like…i too like working on mixed medias but may be reluctant for the desired result.and also may be xpectations also rise as time passes by when u havnt seen any sale on your part from long.neways karin enough of my story but i m positive looking at your achievements and pogress,it gives me immense strength to achieve my goals in art and doing better work each passing day.
ALL THE BEST TO YOU always…
ashesofgold.

what a wonderful creative space you’ve got Karin! Wow! Nice to see a little into your World! Thanks!

Oh my!!!! Well I’m now putting you on my “people I most want to be” list…... this is so fantastic!!! Good on you for having such a wonderful workspace….. you certainly need & deserve one!

What an amazing space Karin! Thanks for sharing this with us.

Hi Karin
Just checked out your studio and it is wonderful..and what a loving and supportive husband you have..you are so deserving and I am so happy for you. I really really enjoyed looking at it. I have to save as a favourite as my husband John wants me to have my own space….I am slowly taking over the study which is also a computer room/movie theatre room/library and my little corner is getting too small! I have paintings hanging on a trellis on the wall and I have no more room! Hubby is talking about getting me a double garage…..and I remembered when you were going to do yours so I am very glad I searched it out on your profile. You are such an inspiration on bubble and your art is unique and uplifting. Your warm personality shines in all that you do! We have had bad news with termites eating into our house so financially we are in for a lot of money there….also I had planned a trip overseas in 2010 to see my family in Wales….saving saving…but house has to be done now. However 2010 is the year for my studio my husband said and after looking at yours I am more determined to go ahead. Thanks for sharing ….you are a treasure and very special. :-) xx

Karin, you are such an inspiration to others, well to me at least.
I really admire how you can combine a family with your work.
It’s so funny to see how a lot of artists are alike… chaotic, messy, in need of some system to hold on to, not very disciplined but getting lost in the work as soon as we get inspired.

I really consider you a “real” artist. (you probably consider yourself as someone who’s having a blast being creative) And this lovely studio just finishes it.
You really give us a look into your soul with this, don’t you? I know that if i had a studio, i would be as proud of it as you, but also consider it more personal than visiting the toilet (what a comparence lol)

I just got my first large easle for my birthday, so now i have more than my small table easle and don’t have to put my 60 by 110 cm paintings against a chair that i put on my dining table anymore! I’m so happy with that.
I could easily convert my attic into a nice studio, the only thing is: the window is 20 by 30 cm there, so i have hardly any light at all, so untill i can afford someone to put in a large window and hang up some daylight lamps, im painting on my new easle, right in the livingroom.
BUT: one day i will share photo’s of my own studio with you, and i hope you will feel right at home with my pictures as i did with yours.

xxx Freya

OMG Karin, what an amazing set up you have and how incredibly talented you are! I have just been staring, absorbing your info with each pic and taking it all in, it really gives an insight into your wonderful work. The fabrics, the plaits, the magazine cutouts…the brown paper.
I emailed Frozenfa a few weeks ago and just made another email to tell her I am ready to purchase the Girl With Octopus pendant we spoke about earlier, I just love it and that I can wear your art everyday and out and about so everyone can see it means alot to me, rather than hiding a print at my house, which being so isolated, I don’t get many visitors but when I go to town I can show it off and have it seen, as it should be. If I could do one painting 1/4 as good as one of yours I would be happy with myself! lol Gosh dear Karin, what an eye-opener this visit to your studio has been and I am so glad I popped in! You deserve nothing but success in this field, you really are an incredible talent and a lovely person to boot!! I so look forward to my pendant, it will be my own special Christmas present to myself! :O) :O)