A View From the Easel
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Azul Nogueron, Chicago, Illinois
Describe an average day in your studio.
I usually go to the studio two or three times a week. I work on my pieces one at a time because I need to see a painting through. When I go to the studio, I usually blast music like Fall Out Boy, the Cure, Flock of Seagulls, or other rock music to get me hyped up and motivated. I usually have a loose sketch of an idea I have for my work, but I will say it’s very loose because I get excited and the painting ends up looking different from the initial sketch.
How does the space affect your work?
The space is somewhat small so I’m a bit limited size-wise with what I want to paint or work on. I want to work on GIANT canvases because I feel like I can pack more of a punch with larger space, but alas. It is a space that I do love, though, because previously I never had a studio and would paint in my bedroom, which was really difficult.
How do you interact with the environment outside your studio?
The studio is located in a very creative neighborhood so it’s always exciting to take a walk down the road and see all the great street art that Chicago has to offer. There are many artists residing in the neighborhood and it’s fun interacting with locals about what kind of art they do. My studio building has some lone artists who keep to themselves, so it’s nice to connect with others in the neighborhood.
What do you love about your studio?
I love the location and the price. It’s easy for me to get to my studio from my job, it’s in a great location surrounded by creative folk, and also it’s relatively cheap for the area!
What do you wish were different?
I wish I had bigger walls to work on there and that the artists in the building would talk to each other.
What is your favorite local museum?
National Museum of Mexican Art.
What is your favorite art material to work with?
Oil paints from the Rembrandt brand.
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