Studio tour

Visiting an artist's studio is a special treat. I love to see the materials and tools artists use, where they sit to create their art, and the views from their studio windows. But, best of all are the treasures, keepsakes, and inspirations that decorate their work spaces. This past summer, I got to go to the studios of painter Billie Spillie, children's book illustrator, Clare Beaton, and folk artist, Julie Arkell.


Billie Spillie is an American painter who now lives and works in the Dordogne countryside in South West France. Her home and studio are tucked away, on a hidden lane.


Her work is playful and contemporary. It fills the walls of the home she shares with her husband.



Her studio space is in a loft overlooking the home's main living space.






Clare Beaton lives in Islington in London. She publishes children's books mostly for Barefoot Books, using felt and a range of vintage buttons, braid and fabrics. The pictures are all hand-stitched. Clare says, "I am always looking for more items to recycle and give a new lease of life in my work."


Her studio is on the top floor of her home. It's full of light and color and lots of things you want to touch.



There's a bookcase filled with the books she's published to date.


Almost one entire wall stores her fabrics...


and she has plenty of thread.


I wanted to take this pin cushion home with me.



Julie Arkell is a contemporary folk artist working in papier-mache and mixed media. She lives and works out of her home in Islington, London, not far from Clare Beaton. I've followed her work for several years and had a fabulous time at her workshop this past summer at Les Soeurs Anglaises in France.


The steps leading up to her studio are decorated with vintage toys and shoes.




Her studio looks like one giant shadow box that has a gazillion different-sized compartments. Each one is filled with treasure. I wanted to look into every "window" but that would have taken all day.






Here are some papier-mache doll figures she's working on.




Below are some of my favorite pieces.




The knitting store, Loop, down the road has a wonderful collection of her work.