A STUDIO IN TWO LOCATIONS Amy Song
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Basement studios get a bad rap, which I acknowledge every time I have to move 500 pounds of clay downstairs or yearn for more natural light.”
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www.ceramicartsnetwork.org
Editors: How is your studio designed and laid out? What are your favorite and least favorite aspects? Amy Song: My work is created in two different places. I make work in my basement in Plainfield, Illinois, and fire it in my train kiln located on a property we own that is a picturesque 30-minute drive away. Basement studios get a bad rap, which I acknowledge every time I have to move 500 pounds of clay downstairs or yearn for more natural light. Yet they are a convenience and a blessing beyond words for parents who are juggling kids’ odd school schedules and for keeping costs down. They really shine during a pandemic. The flooring in my studio is martial-arts foam tile, which is straightforward to mop and easy on my feet—I’m a big fan. The wheel hides in a nook off to the side with the wedging table just a few steps away. This helps keep messes contained and protects my photography set up, which is located away from the wet clay working area. I regularly use my photo setup for adding new items to my online shop or applying to juried shows. The photo table is built tall to reflect light from the ceiling. The backdrop is clipped to slats of wood to easily adjust the gradient. My electric kiln is nearby, in a long, narrow storage area filled with pots. Bisque-fired pots are transported to and fired at the barn. (We plan to build
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