I enjoyed this book so much! I was surprised how many artists were new to me. I was glad I had the digital version so I could flip to a different screen and look up the artists and their works. I expected photos of the various studios, but they were all done in ink and color. Each artist gets 2-3 pages on their studios. In addition, topics such as posing for a painting, pets, mobile studios, etc. get a page each. All in all a very interesting book, whether you just dip in at random or read straight through. I will now have to go back and read the author's other work.

This would be an ideal gift for an art lover's Christmas stocking. Brief details of each artist chosen are paired with an impressionistic portrait of one of their studio spaces. There's a great section at the back of the book which gives details of which studios are still in existence and are available to visit.

A very interesting book with lovely illustrations. I found there was just enough information on each artist and studio to provide an informative insight into the way the work and the place where they work.
This book would be a great addition to the bookshelf of any artist or anyone interested in art and where it originates.

Great book to gift a creative friend or yourself! It’s always interesting to learn about other artists’ work processes, and this book does that really well.

"Studios of Their Own: Where Great Artists Work" by Alex Johnson (illust. by James Oses)

Disclaimer: this is an unsponsored review of an eARC provided by NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group.

Book description:

Studios of Their Own travels around the world examining the unique spaces, habits and rituals of over 50 famous artists.

From Picasso, to Hockney, to Caravaggio, discover the eclectic creative spaces used by artistic visionaries, brought to life with evocative illustrations.

Crossing centuries, continents and genres, Alex Johnson explores these artists’ workspaces and habits. How do they practise their craft? What do they look for in a studio? Do they work in silence or with music… in a shared space or in solitude? How do they harness the light? And how do their physical spaces affect and inspire their output?

...

My thoughts:

As a high school Visual Art teacher, I really loved this book for the unique illustrated take on different artists' studios!

This book provides a very interesting glimpse into different people's spaces while also getting some of the more interesting and unique background and info that I wasn't already aware of.

For example, take this little blurb about Hokusai: "In the introduction to his series of illustrated books 'One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji' he wrote that he developed his artistic passion aged six, but that everything he drew until he was 70 was forgettable, and that he only started to partially understand the structure of flora and fauna from then on. He added that by the age of 100 he would reach 'the level of the marvellous and divine'." While I was aware of his longer career as an artist, I had not realized that Hokusai had only really felt like he was getting started at the age of 70! Talk about a lifelong journey and commitment to constant growth and improvement as an artist.

★★★★★

I would have never known this about Hokusai, as I have only ever gotten to know him from within the scope of his ukiyo-e printmaking alone. Once this book comes out to publishing, I plan on acquiring a hard copy of this book to keep in my art classroom for my students to peruse!

J

If you are interested in how artists conceive their work, Studios of Their Own will be worthy read for you, as the book delves into the work spaces of several renowned artists and each studio is displayed in drawings.

Artists' work habits, tools, and settings offer interesting insights into their work, and inspire other artists. Because of these two aspects, and the level of detail in this book, I highly recommend it.

I must admit, I am more used to seeing photographs of artists' studios, but the artwork in this book proves to be a good idea.

'Studios of Their Own' offers a rare glimpse into the creative spaces of painters, sculptors, and artists across time and continents—some still active, others long gone.

What truly captivated me were not just the descriptions of these spaces, but the intimate stories behind them. Each studio becomes a reflection of the artist's soul—a place where ideas, habits, and passions come to life. From learning how Monet could capture nature so vividly from his fishing boat to discovering how music played a big part in Jean-Michel Basquiat’s art, with his collection of 3,000 vinyl records, the book reveals that even the most celebrated artists often lived more humble, grounded lives than we might imagine—Michelangelo’s extremely well-worn trousers being a perfect example. The contrast between the grandeur of their work and the simplicity of their lives is both humbling and inspiring.

Accompanied by beautiful illustrations, the writing immerses you in both the studios and lives of these creative icons. As I close the book, I feel deeply inspired to step into the studio of my own. A must-have for any artist seeking inspiration or insight into their predecessors.

Alex Johnson has created an enchanting exploration of the creative spaces that have inspired over 50 renowned artists throughout history. From the lush garden that surrounded Monet’s water lilies to Frida Kahlo's bed-bound workspace, the book offers readers a unique glimpse into how these environments shaped their work. Johnson’s writing is informative and engaging, allowing readers to understand not only the physical spaces but also the rituals and habits that nurtured artistic genius. This was a thoughtful and original project, accompanied by evocative illustrations, this book is a must for art lovers curious about the connection between an artist’s space and their creativity. A fascinating journey through time and place, it’s perfect for readers of art history or those seeking inspiration for their own creative practices. I would definitely recommend.