The 310th edition of 'A View From the Easel,' a popular series showcasing artists' workspaces, features two creative professionals who have transformed unconventional spaces into thriving art studios. The series invites artists to share insights about their workspace environments and creative processes, welcoming submissions from all mediums and studio types, including home-based setups.
Karl Mckoy, a New York-based artist, has been working from his home studio for eight years, creating mixed-media artwork in the intimate space connected to his kitchen. His typical day begins at daybreak in the quiet morning hours, working on multiple pieces simultaneously to combat procrastination and reduce the fear of making mistakes. Music and audiobooks serve as essential soundscapes and sources of inspiration throughout his creative process.
Mckoy's experimental mixed-media work relies heavily on processes that often reveal their full potential only after drying overnight. The intimate nature of his space, which he describes as providing 'food for the soul and mind,' naturally leads him to create smaller, more personal pieces. While he appreciates the quiet intimacy of his current setup, he acknowledges the need for a larger, messier space that would allow for paint splashing and larger fabrications.
The artist's connection to his community extends through shared gardening activities, and he frequently visits the Whitney Museum, often combining these trips with walks along New York's High Line. Mckoy has developed a particular affinity for working with salvaged and found raw materials, viewing these discarded items as 'jewels' even when others see them as waste.
Allyn Boley, working from Bloomington, Indiana, moved to the area in June 2020 and established her current studio space in May 2023. Like Mckoy, she employs a multi-project approach, maintaining several pieces in progress simultaneously. This strategy allows her to step away from one project and return to another with fresh perspective and renewed energy when needed.
Boley's creative routine involves listening to podcasts and audiobooks to stimulate thinking about upcoming work, as part of her brain typically operates several steps ahead of her current project. When she realizes she's overthinking, she shifts to music for a quieter mental environment. She reserves her studio space exclusively for art-making, handling administrative tasks like applications and web editing from home.
The artist's studio features a remarkable floor installation that demonstrates her innovative approach to space utilization. Since her lease in the mixed-use office space requires carpet protection, Boley painted a seven-by-14-foot raw duck canvas to cover her 163-square-foot studio floor, then covered it with a clear garage mat. This temporary floor mural project took approximately four months to complete, during which she delayed moving her desk in until the artwork was finished.
Boley actively engages with Bloomington's vibrant arts community, expressing gratitude to the Bloomington Arts Commission for providing exhibition space, community programs, and funding opportunities for emerging and mid-career artists. The city hosts gallery openings every first Friday for the Bloomington Gallery Walk, and as a university town, offers frequent public lectures across various disciplines.
The artist particularly values the interdisciplinary humanities conversations that many local artists participate in, describing them as fascinating learning opportunities. She frequently visits Griffy Lake Nature Preserve, where a sculpture exhibition is currently on display, finding that immersion in nature is vital to her creative process. Many of the creatures and textures featured in her work draw inspiration from moments spent at Griffy Lake.
Boley's artistic practice encompasses multiple mediums, though she has evolved to work almost exclusively with acrylics for painting, despite training in oil and watercolor techniques. Her drawing materials include charcoal, soft pastel, colored pencil, and Micron pen, though she's considering returning to mixed-media drawing, which she explored more extensively a decade ago. Photography also plays a daily role in her creative practice.
Looking ahead, Boley is scheduled for a solo exhibition at the John Waldron Arts Center in Bloomington this April, featuring 63 charcoal drawings and two interactive installation pieces. The upcoming show presents logistical challenges for her compact studio space, as she's unsure where to store all the works beforehand. While she feels she may be outgrowing her current 163-square-foot studio, she has no immediate plans for expansion but anticipates eventually needing more wall space for her growing body of work.
