Where We Work: Art Studios in Chelsea and Brooklyn

Dozens of artists find and share art studio spaces every week on Listings Project. These artists are the lifeblood of our communities, keeping us connected to and engaged with the things that matter most. In our Where We Work series, we showcase some of these art studios.

A Brooklyn Art Studio Designed for Efficiency 

Photo by Drew Hood

Drew Hood is an artist and architect working out of his art studio in Brooklyn. You can also find him on Instagram.

“I have a small studio so efficiency is key. Most of my supplies are stored together in one place as compactly as possible. I like to display the work that embodies my current interests and explorations, so the walls are pretty well covered with paintings and sketches. I also like to work on my feet rather than seated, so the center of the studio is typically free of clutter. My paints, tape, knife, brushes and water are on a wheeled platform so I can move between paintings as I work on two or three paintings at a time.” - Drew Hood

A Chelsea Art Studio Flooded with Sunlight

Photo by Susan Schwalb

Susan Schwalb is a minimalist artist working out of her art studio in Chelsea. You can also find her on Instagram.

“Right now my studio is about one-third storage and rest working space. My studio is my haven and a place where I try not to think about the world. I have a beautiful view and great light that can restore me.

I usually get to my studio around noon and, as a transition, I have lunch, read the newspaper and maybe answer a few emails. Then, hopefully, I can free myself from the world around me to focus on my work for several hours until I leave to come home to make dinner (since there are no openings or theater or concerts in the time of Covid).” - Susan Schwalb

An Organized Art Studio in Brooklyn 

Photo by Shara Ladyzhensky

Shara Ladyzhensky is a realist artist working out of her art studio in Brooklyn. You can also find her on Instagram.

“I like to arrive at my studio early, and my most creative days are when I get started first-thing. I walk to my workspace around sunrise. My process is very intuitive. I always start with the activity I'm most excited about on a given day. Often this means warming up with drawings from imagination in my sketchbook. I love working from imagination because there’s a lot of room for play and experimentation. Some days I’ll get right into working on a more formal project. 

I like to be highly organized in my studio space. When I want to use a 2B pencil I like to know exactly where it is, so that I will never mistake it for a 4H pencil. Staying organized helps me to work efficiently. It also contributes to maintaining a sense of calm in my studio. My studio is very much a place where I can escape from the chaos of the outside world. I want to take good care of it and maintain it as a safe haven for creativity.” - Shara Ladyzhensky

Feature Photo by Drew Hood