Studios of their own by Alex Johnson (illustrated by James Oses) is a different kind of art book. It doesn't show you famous pieces of art, but it offers an intimate view of the artists by examining their work spaces, their studios, their creative spaces.

It's the second book in a series, the first being Rooms of their own (2022), about the writing rooms of famous authors. Both titles are an obvious reference to Virginia Woolf's essay - A Room of One's Own - about artists' need for space and independence (physical, psychological, financial etc.).

Structure:

The book is structured like an encyclopedia, with a couple of pages of text and illustrations describing each artist studio. I don't know how the 52 artists for the book were chosen, or why they were presented in a seemingly random order. They're not organized chronologically, alphabetically, based on art style or even geographically.

Regardless, opening with Francis Bacon's studio was an excellent choice. His studio, described as monumentally chaotic, is impressive and awe inspiring. It's content of over 7000 pieces was carefully documented and reconstructed by Hugh Lane Gallery in Dublin.

The studios in the book range from some of the most famous artists (da Vinci, Caravaggio, Van Gogh, Picasso) to lesser known ones (like Tove Jansson, Tracey Emin or Posy Simmonds). They span centuries, but mostly focus on western artists, focusing on Europe and the US.

The book also features some inspiring artists' quotes and general information about related topics, like studio assistants, models, muses and mentorship. I liked the text about artists as soldiers and the art of POW.

In the end you'll find useful information for people who want to learn more or visit a specific studio. It highlights the Artist's Studio Museum Network and the Artists Homes, with information on over 200 small museums of artists' homes and studios.

Women artists

I liked that the book showcases a lot of women artists and I took it as an opportunity to find some new favorites.

I found it funny that Vanessa Bell's first studio was nicknamed Les Miserables for it's depressing interior. Or that Rosa Bonheur shared her space with a menagerie that included sheep and horses. How Julia Margaret Cameron turned her chicken coop into a photo studio and the coal-house into a dark-room. Or how Louise Bourgeois worked on her famous Cells series in an old jeans factory.

In a time when women artist had no recognition or access to the art world, their studios were the places where they lived, worked and showed their art.
Sometimes they worked in improvised spaces, other times they shared the studios of their artist lovers and husbands, but their legacy is proof that a space for creativity is essential for every artist.

Final thoughts

The book seems aimed at a varied audience. Art lovers and connoisseurs will appreciate the chance to peek behind the curtain and learn more about how artists worked. For people that are new to the subject, this book is an excellent introduction to a lot of interesting artists.
Even if you don't get to see particular art pieces, you get a sense for each artist's style, personality and inspiration.

I found it amazing that most artists treat working in the studio like a job. They don't stand around waiting for inspiration to strike or that one genius idea, they work constantly and show that practice and experimentation are essential for art.

Time and time again, the studios aren't just where the artists work, but where they find their inspiration. These are the places where they gather (or hoard) materials, colors, failed starts, interesting objects and everything in between.

Sometimes the studio is a carefully curated space - like for Brancusi that made compositions from his works and replaced the ones he sold with gypsum copies as to not disturb the harmony.

But most times the studio is a place for chaos, filled with light, colors and shapes (like the wonderful world of Alexander Calder).

Today, the digital makes it easy to forget the need for a physical space. Most times an artists' supplies are his laptop or graphic tablet. And that's not a bad thing, but something seems to get lost in this transition.

Sure, you can make Pinterest boards and have thousands of pictures that inspire you, but you'll lose the tactile sense, the smells and the real life colors that change with the sun. And you could have a lots of digital tutorials and resources to learn from, but that's not the same as just browsing randomly through an art book and finding something unexpected that sparks your creativity.

This book shows you 52 artist studios and by the end you'll want (or need) your own creative space. It's for people who love art and for artists that haven't yet found their place.

I enjoyed this book so much! I was surprised how many artists were new to me. I was glad I had the digital version so I could flip to a different screen and look up the artists and their works. I expected photos of the various studios, but they were all done in ink and color. Each artist gets 2-3 pages on their studios. In addition, topics such as posing for a painting, pets, mobile studios, etc. get a page each. All in all a very interesting book, whether you just dip in at random or read straight through. I will now have to go back and read the author's other work.

This would be an ideal gift for an art lover's Christmas stocking. Brief details of each artist chosen are paired with an impressionistic portrait of one of their studio spaces. There's a great section at the back of the book which gives details of which studios are still in existence and are available to visit.

A very interesting book with lovely illustrations. I found there was just enough information on each artist and studio to provide an informative insight into the way the work and the place where they work.
This book would be a great addition to the bookshelf of any artist or anyone interested in art and where it originates.

Great book to gift a creative friend or yourself! It’s always interesting to learn about other artists’ work processes, and this book does that really well.

"Studios of Their Own: Where Great Artists Work" by Alex Johnson (illust. by James Oses)

Disclaimer: this is an unsponsored review of an eARC provided by NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group.

Book description:

Studios of Their Own travels around the world examining the unique spaces, habits and rituals of over 50 famous artists.

From Picasso, to Hockney, to Caravaggio, discover the eclectic creative spaces used by artistic visionaries, brought to life with evocative illustrations.

Crossing centuries, continents and genres, Alex Johnson explores these artists’ workspaces and habits. How do they practise their craft? What do they look for in a studio? Do they work in silence or with music… in a shared space or in solitude? How do they harness the light? And how do their physical spaces affect and inspire their output?

...

My thoughts:

As a high school Visual Art teacher, I really loved this book for the unique illustrated take on different artists' studios!

This book provides a very interesting glimpse into different people's spaces while also getting some of the more interesting and unique background and info that I wasn't already aware of.

For example, take this little blurb about Hokusai: "In the introduction to his series of illustrated books 'One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji' he wrote that he developed his artistic passion aged six, but that everything he drew until he was 70 was forgettable, and that he only started to partially understand the structure of flora and fauna from then on. He added that by the age of 100 he would reach 'the level of the marvellous and divine'." While I was aware of his longer career as an artist, I had not realized that Hokusai had only really felt like he was getting started at the age of 70! Talk about a lifelong journey and commitment to constant growth and improvement as an artist.

★★★★★

I would have never known this about Hokusai, as I have only ever gotten to know him from within the scope of his ukiyo-e printmaking alone. Once this book comes out to publishing, I plan on acquiring a hard copy of this book to keep in my art classroom for my students to peruse!

J

If you are interested in how artists conceive their work, Studios of Their Own will be worthy read for you, as the book delves into the work spaces of several renowned artists and each studio is displayed in drawings.

Artists' work habits, tools, and settings offer interesting insights into their work, and inspire other artists. Because of these two aspects, and the level of detail in this book, I highly recommend it.

I must admit, I am more used to seeing photographs of artists' studios, but the artwork in this book proves to be a good idea.

'Studios of Their Own' offers a rare glimpse into the creative spaces of painters, sculptors, and artists across time and continents—some still active, others long gone.

What truly captivated me were not just the descriptions of these spaces, but the intimate stories behind them. Each studio becomes a reflection of the artist's soul—a place where ideas, habits, and passions come to life. From learning how Monet could capture nature so vividly from his fishing boat to discovering how music played a big part in Jean-Michel Basquiat’s art, with his collection of 3,000 vinyl records, the book reveals that even the most celebrated artists often lived more humble, grounded lives than we might imagine—Michelangelo’s extremely well-worn trousers being a perfect example. The contrast between the grandeur of their work and the simplicity of their lives is both humbling and inspiring.

Accompanied by beautiful illustrations, the writing immerses you in both the studios and lives of these creative icons. As I close the book, I feel deeply inspired to step into the studio of my own. A must-have for any artist seeking inspiration or insight into their predecessors.

Alex Johnson has created an enchanting exploration of the creative spaces that have inspired over 50 renowned artists throughout history. From the lush garden that surrounded Monet’s water lilies to Frida Kahlo's bed-bound workspace, the book offers readers a unique glimpse into how these environments shaped their work. Johnson’s writing is informative and engaging, allowing readers to understand not only the physical spaces but also the rituals and habits that nurtured artistic genius. This was a thoughtful and original project, accompanied by evocative illustrations, this book is a must for art lovers curious about the connection between an artist’s space and their creativity. A fascinating journey through time and place, it’s perfect for readers of art history or those seeking inspiration for their own creative practices. I would definitely recommend.