In the Studio with Lura Schwarz Smith
Lura Schwarz Smith with Magic, an 11-foot sculpture standing near her house,
by 86-year-old Fresno sculptor Chris Sorensen.
Lura Schwarz Smith’s artwork is instantly recognizable – colorful and full of movement. One of Lura’s quilts was named one of the “100 Best American Quilts of the 20th Century,” and she was included in the “30 Distinguished Quilt Artists of the World” exhibit at the first Tokyo Dome quilt show in 2002. She is the author of Secrets of Digital Quilting: From Camera to Quilt with Kerby C. Smith.
1. How do you find/make time to be in your studio?
Since moving my studio space into the house this past year, it is easier to manage more studio time. A much more comfortable situation than the old, old mobile home on another knoll, my former studio space.
2. Describe your studio in five words.
Compact, well-lit, storage-challenged, functional, beloved.
3. If you could pick only one thing from your studio to represent your art practice, what would it be?
Two design walls with work in progress at different stages.
4. What is the best/worst space you have ever had as a studio?
Best: current studio in house. Worst: 30+ years ago, corner of tiny living room, working out of fabric-stuffed cardboard boxes with work pinned on a large easel.
5. What would make a “dream studio” for you?
A separate little house on another knoll of our property. Much more storage/workspace. Wetwork area with large tables and utility sink. Another design wall or two. Space to hold small classes in my studio, and open studio events. All the good factors in my current pocket studio, but BIGGER.
Detail of digital photo fabric by Lura and Kerby C. Smith
for one of their Foto/Fiber 2012 BONUSES
6. What would you advise someone setting up a studio for the first time?Study your own work habits and design your space around that – what specific needs might you ever have? Painting, dying, design areas, cutting, stitching, various multi-media elements in your work should all be considered. Draw floorplans and make the most of your available space. Above all, good lighting with daylight temperature bulbs.
7. Any unique features/studio pets you would like to share?
This is my artwork of our son’s hands holding Sage, our dear past studio buddy.
8. Any new exhibits or projects we should know about?
Kerby and I both have classes (details about Lura’s, details about Kerby’s) upcoming in Italy at the new Abruzzo School of Creative Art. Our sessions are July 25-Aug 1, 2012 – both at the same time, but we each have solo classes customized for the Italian experience. It’s a great new fiber arts venue. More fiber art in the world, yes! And to do so in Italy — YES!
Both Lura and Kerby are contributing to their three BONUSES for Foto/Fiber 2012: a mini art quilt, a signed fabric giclee print for stitching or framing, and digital photo fabric. Small details from two are shown shown below:
***Share the news about Foto/Fiber 2012, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, and be entered to win a copy of Cate Prato’s, Inside the Creative Studio.***
