Creatives at Home: Artist Becc Orszag in Her Converted Garage Studio
A fine artist works from home in her very comfy backyard studio
It may be hard to believe that the comfy, light-filled art studio of Becc Orszag once served her family as their garage. She converted it to practise as a full-time artist and says that she enjoys moving things around in her space as much as she does creating artwork. It’s in here that Orszag illustrates and paints beautiful award-winning pieces. She has truly made the space her own with a daybed to relax on, treasured ornaments and her artwork decorating the walls.
Orszag feels at home surrounded by her artwork and her warm rugs that make the space feel like a living room. She sits next to a series recently returned to the studio from an exhibit.
“Regularly shifting and adding/removing things within the space is great for keeping things fresh,” she says. “I’ve started a ritual now that at the end of every exhibition I do a thorough clean and a little rearranging of the studio, even if its just small adjustments, I feel like the space is always evolving, and it keeps me motivated and excited to be in here and draw.”
“Regularly shifting and adding/removing things within the space is great for keeping things fresh,” she says. “I’ve started a ritual now that at the end of every exhibition I do a thorough clean and a little rearranging of the studio, even if its just small adjustments, I feel like the space is always evolving, and it keeps me motivated and excited to be in here and draw.”
The artist describes her decorating style as “eclectic, warm and comfortable, lots of colour, plants and personal objects.” Her small space is efficiently organised with a sitting room, drawing room, task and computer tables.
Orszag starts creating her drawings at the computer desk by selecting photographs of places she would like to visit, and collaging them into dreamy landscapes of what she thinks the place will be like. She chooses to limit herself to black and white so she can focus on the content and the imagery.
A collaged image is digitally created in Photoshop, then printed out and used as a sketch.
“On the screen, it looks amazing but turns into something different when you draw it. One drawing is standing in a spot looking to the left, and the next one is looking in the other direction, and in my head I am building this world,” says Orszag.
“On the screen, it looks amazing but turns into something different when you draw it. One drawing is standing in a spot looking to the left, and the next one is looking in the other direction, and in my head I am building this world,” says Orszag.
Orszag prefers the drawing part to the computer time, as getting away from technology feels more natural to her.
Inside her blue art tray is a collection of lithograph pencils in different hardnesses. She mainly uses a mechanical pencil with a narrow lead, and sometimes does the whole piece with it.
Inside her blue art tray is a collection of lithograph pencils in different hardnesses. She mainly uses a mechanical pencil with a narrow lead, and sometimes does the whole piece with it.
She always works in a graphic style pursuing a photorealist result, taking something as simple as a pencil and seeing how far she can push it. She fell in love with the technique of her medium long ago, but has also started experimenting with gold leaf to add a dash of colour.
The wall next to her drafting table is decorated with sketches, notes, plans and diagrams that are “thoughts and ideas … referencing little drawings I haven’t figured out what to do with yet,” she says.
The sofa with a shelf surround was bought on eBay. She plans to put books on it, and often uses it to display her work while she steps back to study the progress. Orszag chose the blanket from Ishka for the bright colours. Her work is so black and white, she wanted her space to be rebellious and vibrant.
“Most of the furnishings in here – desks, sofa, plan drawers, bookshelves – are secondhand or from eBay,” she explains. “I enjoy the hunt for unique items, but also at the end of the day it is an art studio space and things can get messy in here, so I like furniture that I don’t have to be too precious with.”
“Most of the furnishings in here – desks, sofa, plan drawers, bookshelves – are secondhand or from eBay,” she explains. “I enjoy the hunt for unique items, but also at the end of the day it is an art studio space and things can get messy in here, so I like furniture that I don’t have to be too precious with.”
Orszag loves the decorative and functional objects she discovers in op-shops around Melbourne. The pencil holders were finds from her secondhand store browsing.
When it comes to parting with decorating tips, she says to never overlook secondhand objects. “Functionality and beauty aren’t mutually exclusive, repurposing objects is a great way to add warmth and character to a space.”
When it comes to parting with decorating tips, she says to never overlook secondhand objects. “Functionality and beauty aren’t mutually exclusive, repurposing objects is a great way to add warmth and character to a space.”
The guitar in the studio is often played by her musically-gifted friends who visit her.
One of her most cherished items in the studio is the broken vase she found at an op-shop on Phillip Island. “I fell in love with it – it already had a hole on the bottom, but I didn’t care. All the scenery is hand-painted, which is rare these days, but then the additional decoration around the rim looks like someone scribbled on it at a later time. It has a curious history that intrigues me, with the different hands that added to it. I am planning to fix it with some gold leaf shortly,” Orszag says.
One of her most cherished items in the studio is the broken vase she found at an op-shop on Phillip Island. “I fell in love with it – it already had a hole on the bottom, but I didn’t care. All the scenery is hand-painted, which is rare these days, but then the additional decoration around the rim looks like someone scribbled on it at a later time. It has a curious history that intrigues me, with the different hands that added to it. I am planning to fix it with some gold leaf shortly,” Orszag says.
Nature- and animal-themed objects are placed throughout the space. Orszag loves having little creatures around as she adores animals. The little seated cow planter was a gift from a close friend.
Plans are underway to transform the driveway in front of the studio into a landscaped terrace. A new deck and courtyard will include more potted succulents, cacti, and outdoor seating. Orszag enjoys drawing outside in warmer weather. She would also like to add a bathroom so the studio can be a standalone liveable space.
YOUR TURN
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YOUR TURN
Do you have a dedicated creative space at home? Show us by adding a photo in the Comments.
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Name: Becc Orszag
Age: 30
Occupation: Fine Artist
Location: Blackburn North, Victoria
What’s made here: Graphite drawings
Orszag began her art career studying graphic design, before attending RMIT and discovering her love of illustration and fine art. She was in need of a dedicated space where she could concentrate on her artwork and feel completely at ease – her garage served as the perfect building block for her dream studio.
“Having my studio at home allows me to go in and out as need be,” she says. “I prefer to break up my day and work in bursts rather than long blocks. It’s also particularly good for working late at night, which I tend to do mostly. And being at home means my cat Charlie can keep me company and play in the studio while I’m working too, which I love.”
Orszag describes the original garage as “bare bones with really dirty framing, asbestos walls, wood beams, a peaked roof, and garage doors.” They put in new walls and insulation, a new door and painted the floors. When guests visit the family, they often choose to stay on the sofa in the studio, instead of the guest room in the house.