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Dennis Konstantin painting in his studio

Today I was painting with Dennis Konstantin while he was in his studio in Hamburg and I in mine in Berlin. What began as just a Skype chat moved onto a dual painting session when Dennis picked up his brush and started to work. So, of course rather than just talk about paint, I also continued with my latest work on the easel.

We both continued to occasionally talk when not fully focused on our paintings. What was interesting, was at times glancing back at the computer screen and seeing that the other was doing the same thing, such as sitting and contemplating their painting. It was also an interesting insight into each others studio habits, and how much time is actually spent putting brush to canvas as verses contemplating the next move. It is rather assuring to see that others are also given over to the same foibles.

It would be a wonderful thing if Skype could do multiple video conferencing, then we could have more people involved from all over the world. It’s a nice thought, since painting is usually a very solitary practice. But there are occasions we do all end up in the same physical space. And I certainly look forward to that.

View from Harzer Str of the former piano factory that was later to become Atelierhaus Mengerzeile. (1967, Landesbildstelle Berlin)

For the past year I’ve had my studio here in the Atelierhaus Mengerzeile. And the time has come again for our Tag der Offene Ateliers (open studio day).

So I’ll be here with my studio open for all and sundry to visit, so you can see what I’m up to and what new artwork is on my easels. Yes, multiple easels, five. After last month I finally have all of my London studio materials here in Berlin. Many thanks to Paul Barnett, Daniel Worth and Pierre Sampajano for helping me out with unloading and carrying my things up to the fourth floor!

The studio is looking decidedly full at the moment with all of the boxes that I need to unpack, sort and then store. So there is a bit of preparation before the open studio day.

The photo I’ve included with this post is the Atelierhaus Mengerzeile in the Communist East German times, and is a view from the West to the East across the No-Man’s-Land where they were later to erect the wall. So there is a little history attached to the building. On display will also be a photo exhibition of the building and the wall during this time.

Hope you can make it to visit my studio.

Saturday 3rd of October 2009
3pm – 10pm

Atelierhaus Mengerzeile
Mengerzeile 1-3
12435 Berlin
Germany

atelierhaus-mengerzeile.de

A number of far flung people have requested photos of my Mengerzeile studio, being curious after some of the tales I’ve told. So here it is, a panorama shot of approximately 270°. You can see works in progress hanging on the walls, my easel and my collection of oils laid out, plus a bit of the view out of the windows, which I assure you can put on some stunning sunset displays. It can be very inspiring to work by.

270° view of my Mengerzeile Studio.

This is my latest work in progress. I have already begun the oil glazes. The painting is 60 x 90cm.

The underpainting has been done in casein. Casein paint is derived from milk, and is a fast-drying, water-soluble medium used by artists. Casein paint has been used since ancient Egyptian times as a form of tempera paint, and is still used today.

A short explanation of the painting subject: 

Sophia, a feminine figure, analogous to the human soul but also simultaneously one of the Feminine aspects of God and the Bride of Christ. The Sophia resides in all of us as the Divine Spark. In Gnostic tradition, the term Sophia (Σoφíα, Greek for "wisdom" refers to the final and lowest emanation of God.

I spent a hectic but thoroughly enjoyable time in Vienna over December, staying with my good friend and colleague Amanda Sage (www.amandasage.com). She was very gracious to allow me the use of her studio, and so for the first time in almost a year, I could dabble in paint again. Ah how I've missed it. Now the itch has been scratched, there is much more to be done. Included is one of the works I began. It is still a work in progress. Stay tuned.

While there I also had the chance to catch up with Luigi La Speranza and Peter Gric. We met Michael Sheer, the director of Galerie 10 while visiting Amanda's exhibition.