East Austin Studio Tour

Embarrassingly, for the first time since I moved to Austin, I attended the East Austin Studio Tour (I didn’t even know about it!).

Last weekend, artists who live or have a studio, in the huge area between I-35, Town Lake (a few just south of it), Highway 183, and E. Martin Luther King; opened up their studios for people to visit, check out their work, and purchase whatever they like. This is a lot of terrain to cover in just two days! Check out the map if you don’t beleive me. I had no idea there were over 150 art studios in town, much less just in the East Austin area. Amazing.

Read more for more, including some photos.

The art itself: Lack of variety was not a problem. There was just about anything you can imagine. From the not so great to the outstanding. Paintings, woodwork, furniture, metalwork, sculpture, pottery, photography, t-shirts, posters, silkscreening, ceramics, abstract, classic, everything. From the conservative to the ultra weird.

Also impressive were the studios themselves. Whenever you see an artist in a movie, the tend to have this expansive, incredible studio. All you can think is “how in the world can they afford something like that?”. Turns out it’s exactly like that. I couldn’t help but feel jealous. One studio had a kiln bigger than my kitchen, another even had it’s own greenhouse! Many of them had DJs playing electronic music, many had just a stereo playing out jazz or classic music. Most were offering food: coffee, hot chocolate, soup, conchas (I love conchas)…

Sadly, two full days of walking around and looking at art was not enough. We managed to conver only about 1/3 of the studios. This thing is just way too big. Looking forward to next year!

Below, a few photos:

This store had a cool monster show. Click to see more.
The peoplea at Domy Books were displaying a monster-themed gallery.
Amazing life-sized sculpture of El Pípila, hero of the Mexican Independence war.
Life-sized bronze statue of El Pípila, hero of the Mexican War of Independence.
This guy did amazing woodwork and furniture, even his own guitars!
This guy did amazing woodwork and furniture, even his own guitars! Check out this scorpio-tail lamp.
Looks good? Its even more impressive when you realize this portrait of Bob Marley by Barbara Lugge is all hand-stitched.
Looks good? It’s even more impressive when you realize this portrait of Bob Marley by Barbara Lugge is all hand-stitched.
Some of the paintings I liked the most were made by Jeniffer Balkan.
Some of the paintings I liked the most were made by Jeniffer Balkan.
Another painting by Jennifer Balkan
Another painting by Jennifer Balkan
Tons of tango related classes, plus free tango lessons. I didnt stay (I dont need them).
Tons of tango related photography, plus free tango lessons. I didn’t stay for one because I don’t need them.
Cant remember the artist for these ones.
Aren't these great?

Cool ceramics
I know this is an obscure joke and I dont expect anyone to find it funny, but so far the people I thought would get it didnt.
I know this is an obscure joke and I don't expect anyone to find it funny, but so far the people I thought would get it didn't. Do you get it?
Moped restoration,
Moped restoration,

2 thoughts on “East Austin Studio Tour”

  1. Cool, I never knew the tour existed!. Comments:
    1) That is a very naked Pipila
    2) I don’t get the joke

  2. I dig the kerning joke shirt! I think its hilarious! To those who didn’t (desktop publishers, printers, and graphic designers and type designers alike: Wh y take yo ur job soo o o o o ser i ous?!

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