A new book for Artists ...

Monday 21 September 2009 7 responses

“Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and get to work.” —Chuck Close

Inside the Painter's Studio Joe Fig
ISBN 97815689885287 x 9.5 inches (17.8 x 24.1 cm), Paperback , 240 pages 200 color illustrations In print (publication date 10/24/2009) A PAPress publication; Rights: World;
$35.00 £22.50


Inside an art gallery, it is easy to forget that the paintings there are the end products of a process involving not only creative inspiration, but also plenty of physical and logistical details. It is these "cruder," more mundane aspects of a painter's daily routine that motivated Brooklyn artist Joe Fig to embark almost ten years ago on a highly unorthodox, multilayered exploration of the working life of the professional artist. Determined to ground his research in the physical world, Fig began constructing a series of diorama-like miniature reproductions of the studios of modern art's most legendary painters, such as Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning. A desire for firsthand references led Fig to approach contemporary artists for access to their studios. Armed with a camera and a self-made "Artist's Questionnaire," Fig began a journey through the workspaces of some of today's most exciting contemporary artists.

Inside the Painter's Studio collects twenty-four remarkable artist interviews, as well as exclusive visual documentation of their studios. Featured artists were asked a wide range of questions about their day-to-day creative life, covering everything from how they organize their studios to what painting tools they prefer. Artists open up about how they set a creative mood, how they choose titles, and even whether they sit or stand to contemplate their work. Also included are a selection of Fig's meticulously detailed miniatures. In this context Fig's diminutive sculptures—reproducing minutiae of the studio, from paint-tube labels and paint splatters on the floor to the surface texture of canvases—become part of a fascinating new form of portraiture as diorama. Inside the Painter's Studio offers a rare look into the self-made universe of the artist's studio. Inside the Painter's Studio features interviews with Gregory Amenoff, Ross Bleckner, Chuck Close, Will Cotton, Inka Essenhigh, Eric Fischl, Barnaby Furnas, April Gornik, Jane Hammond, Mary Heilmann, Bill Jensen, Ryan McGinness, Julie Mehretu, Malcolm Morley, Steve Mumford, Philip Pearlstein, Matthew Ritchie, Alexis Rockman, Dana Schutz, James Siena, Amy Sillman, Joan Snyder, Billy Sullivan, and Fred Tomaselli.

Joe Fig is an artist born and raised in Long Island, New York. Fig's work has been exhibited extensively throughout the United States. He lives in Connecticut with his wife and two children.

For further information, PLEASE CONTACT KATHARINE MYERS, T.212.995.9620 ext. 216 or katharine@papress.com

7 responses: to “ A new book for Artists ... so far...

  • Mariuca 22.9.09
     

    chop!

  • Mariuca 22.9.09
     

    Sounds like a terrific book for all u artists out there, so hurry and get one Kim and Emila! :):):)

  • Mariuca 22.9.09
     

    Happy Monday sweetie, dropping ec as usual, trying to top ur list again this month woo hoo! :)

  • Amy Lilley Designs 23.9.09
     

    Sounds like a WONDERFUL, contemporary book...will look for it in Borders...Kim, I still can't get Laketrees to come in all the way and then it just disappears into the ether...BOO HOO...I'm not sure what to do...hmmmmmm...

  • Caio Fern 26.9.09
     

    i found I FOUND !!
    hi Kim !! sinse last night i am trying to find a way to be your follower on this blog .
    not your fault , sure , it is my internet that got ultra-slow these days and just next week is going to get fixed .
    it is realy nice to meet your blogs . and you on internet .
    have a great weekend .

  • Kim 29.9.09
     

    hi Mariuca :)
    sure you will top the list :)
    got to get the book when it comes out!!!
    and I'm sure Emila would love it too :)

    oh I don't know what is wrong with laketrees at the moment Amy :(
    I changed the template and I hope I can get it fixed asap ...

    hi Ciao
    thank you I have been neglecting this site lately ..things have been sooo busy...
    have a great weekend too :)

  • Trevor 1.10.09
     

    I will definitely be looking for this book for the wife, sounds right up her alley. Thanks.