Summer Studio

Here's my wonderful friend and talented painter Laurie Meseroll on her stoop in Woodstock, NY...We went for a visit yesterday to see Laurie in her glory!

You see, this Ohio native is quick to call herself a Woodstock Woman. She has been in love with the town since she set down roots there as a young Mom in the mid 80s. It was there that she first fell in love with painting and set up her studio in the outbuildings of a rambling 1820s home on the town's main street. She painted, and painted more, and raised her babies. Though she returned to Ohio as a widow with four young children in the 1990s, she left a piece of her heart there that has only recently been able to flourish once again.

Last summer she returned to the house, and with that, to her teaching and her summer studio...

This is the backyard at a quiet moment, it is usually filled with visitors...
Here Laurie and Shannon watch resident artist Noll paint...he is a sculptor of some renown and of Native American origin...this summer Laurie is encouraging him to paint...the results are compelling and promising...

It is so wonderful, it is almost surreal. Laurie pools talent, then informally coaches and nurtures her fellow artists and her kids...the days pass and then in the afternoon -- depending on her mood -- she retreats to her quiet studio bedroom to sketch and paint or heads off to the outbuilding that is piled high with ephemera, canvases and pigment pots to brew her magic...

She emerges at supper time to feed those gathered...dinner is served al fresco on the benches of the bridge that crosses the creek that babbles through the back yard. Her own knights of the court and bizarre round table!

Here are some images of studio in the outbuilding...








Shelves hold vintage goodies galore and constantly inspire her work...old dollhouses hang overhead and a huge lampshade hovers...color is everywhere...













Unlike this space, her bedroom studio is airy and quiet...Here it is...

...it's Laurie's own brand of cute and laden with teddies and other goodies...Laurie is a big fab of Letty Worley and Julie Arkell...can you spot their creations?

The kids were watching Laurie work, but soon they were painting too! Laurie shares. Ever patient with five of her own children, she knows how young people think and encourages a free- spirited, but very family oriented lifestyle with her own kids.

Here Laurie shows Aidan and Charlotte to whirl with the color and spread glaze...

Canvases are always at the ready...
I love her house too...here are some images of the space...there are Kitty B boxes everywhere!

It's layered and lush and loaded with vintage goodies...and yet so calming. Laurie loves old mirrors and their light...

Can you spot the Kim Stout pillow and Valerie Weberpal cat...

At present, Laurie is working on a series of pieces that pay homage to the summertime of childhoods, rambling landscapes, children at play and as ever, her own story as a mother, sister, friend and teacher. Watch the site for her latest creations or email to be on her update list.

I was there for a day and felt like I was on a wonderfully long and relaxing vacation...Thanks Laurie , I will be back soon -- I miss you and the art vibe already.
xxoo Jen
Earth Angels