Imagine wandering into a gallery and a painting catches your attention. What we often overlook is the journey behind that particular piece—the practice, inspiration, and peculiarities that brought it to life. Many of these questions can be answered by stepping inside an artist’s studio.
New Elements Gallery artist Greg Stanley has been creating for over 40 years and is inspired by all walks of life. Works by renowned figures such as Joan Miro and Paul Klee have influenced his practice, as well as drawings by children. “My art is inspired by everything: visual observation, literature, music, life. I work in various mediums, including painting, printmaking, and sculpture. I’m a ferocious observer of art history, which guides my work as a committed abstractionist,” says Stanley.
When you enter Stanley's studio, you're greeted by decades of his artistic journey. A representational landscape from his high school years hangs on the wall—a striking contrast to his current abstract style. How did he evolve into his signature approach?
The studio feels like an experimental lab. A workbench for carpentry, two desks—one for his computer, the other for painting—and a file cabinet archiving his practice all fill the space. An armchair sits facing a wall where he inspects, critiques, and appreciates his work. Finished and unfinished pieces are stacked against the walls, offering a glimpse into the prolific scope of his creativity.
Stanley's studio goes beyond the pen-and-ink paintings. Shapes and colors from his two-dimensional works are translated into wall sculptures. Using a jigsaw, he cuts out shapes that layer over each other, as though his abstract paintings have come to life, each form detaching from the surface and reaching toward the viewer.
Inside the file cabinet are folders containing sketches and watercolors dating back to his college years. Most of the work is abstract, though occasionally you find something figurative—a series of abstract nudes, even a simple portrait. It is a treat to see the paintings, sketches, and plans that have been tucked away. You begin to understand how the artist’s mind works.
The next time you find yourself in a gallery, captivated by an artwork, consider the story behind it. The inspiration, the practice, the years of labor—it all culminates in the piece before you, making the experience all the more profound.
By Georgie Anastasi
