Sometimes work can become formulaic which for me as an artist is not a good thing. I like to seek out ways of developing my work so experimentation in new areas is vital. One area I’m working on at the moment is developing my mobile studio so I can go anywhere and have my working materials to hand.

It’s so easy to stay in the security of a studio. You can hide yourself away with no one to bother you, just venturing out for exhibitions. Nowadays you don’t even have to go out for supplies, just a short walk to the front door to collect your online art purchases. Then when the work is done you can resort to the computer to sell online & even get your work collected by courier, all this without leaving the house. The danger is of becoming an artistic hermit.

THE PLAN

I recently bought a Fiat Ducato van to convert into a camper van as our VW T4 didn’t have the headroom to stand up straight in & was limited in space all round. I also wanted it to be a mobile studio so I could travel to places and paint direct from location, also having the facility to cook, make tea and coffee, wash up, wash brushes, keep beer cool and have a shelter to return to after painting in the cold, or come to think of it, heat.

I will have room to make storage areas for my art equipment which will stay on board for access at the drop of a hat & if the weather conditions are so bad that I can’t stay out for long, I will have a retreat where I can still continue to paint from.

A BLANK CANVAS

Starting from scratch converting a vehicle when you haven’t done it before can be quite daunting, but the thought of the freedom ahead and being self-sufficient to a degree really enthuses.I think ahead to being able to travel to Devon, Cornwall or anywhere I choose having all I need at my fingertips. If I need to stay overnight, I can. I think it will add another dimension to my life as an artist.

I’m currently insulating the inside and today I’m starting to get the floor down. I’ll blog again soon to show my progress. In the meantime I have to think of storage, bed design, lighting, publicity signage etc, etc. The problem is juggling painting output with work on the van, but if I don’t crack on, it will stay a dream.

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