AARON BILLINGS
ILLUSTRATOR AND TEXTILE ARTIST
We’re all very good friends at Pink Ember, so we have a really
respectful and playful thing going on. We work really hard, but will
often break for lunch together, and there are always jokes fl oating
around throughout the day. Some nights we get the projector out
and watch a movie while we work on our projects. It’s like being
on a creative summer camp with all your best friends, except you
never have to leave. Occasionally, I just want to watch Brooklyn 99
and get my hemming done and be a gross mess, but I can still do
that in a group studio – I just wait till everyone goes home. I really
thrive off people’s energy and love to feel social; I like my work to be
in conversation with what’s around me. Recently, I’ve been making
quilts inspired by the AIDS Quilts movement that incorporate poetry
and embroidery; global disaster made intimate. I love that we built
this space together – I feel like I can be myself, dance around, and
visit everyone if I’m lonely. I’m incredibly proud of it.AOIFE BILLINGS
TEXTILE ARTIST
I’ve always been in studios run by middle-aged men. As a result, I’ve
never felt relaxed or like it was my space, which is really important
to help you meet your creative potential. The fi rst day I worked at
Pink Ember – which is a queer and femme-friendly space – was the
first time I felt nurtured in a studio. It was very special, and I had a
huge sense of achievement. My main focus is on painting on fabric
and embroidery. I tend to use the studio for self-learning – mostly
reading, researching and painting exercises – and do fi nal works at
home. My brother Aaron and I teach sewing and textile workshops
here as part of our project Bats of Leisure, too. From the moment
we got the keys, I worked full-time to set up the studio and shop.
The fi rst thing I did when I moved in was acquire a day bed and
cushions for naps and cosiness, because rest and refl ection is an
important part of my creative process. I needed it to feel like a place
I could fully take a break when I needed one.FRANCES CANNON
ARTIST
Early last year, Aaron, Aoife, Gemma and I all decided we were
unhappy in our current studio situations, and that we’d love to
try and open up a space together. It took a lot of searching and
applying before we found our current studio, but boy, was it worth
the wait! I do all my business from the studio: running my online
shop; shipping out orders; creating new products; and working
on new paintings and drawings. I have a big desk that’s usually
covered in paper and different inks and whatever painting or
drawing I’m currently working on, plus a couple of shelves that
house my stock (prints, t-shirts, poetry books, etc.). I’ve tried
doing the home studio thing, but it really doesn’t work for me.
I get sad and lonely, and am less motivated overall. I like having
my home life and studio life separate, so when I get home I can
relax. Plus, I just love being in a community of creative and
awesome people!
GEMMA FLACK
ARTIST, ZINE MAKER AND TATTOOER
We’ve set the space up as a not-for-profi t co-operative, with the
goal being to support artists; create affordable studio spaces; share
skills through workshops; and make a little community hub. Art
is for everyone, and we’re doing our best to make it as accessible
as possible. Our two-storey building is very bright and spacious,
with an art shop and workshop downstairs, studios on both levels,
and a courtyard for messy things and hanging out. I mostly use the
space to run my online shop, where I sell zines, prints and stickers.
I also paint and draw there when I have the time. The four of us have
weekly meetings, which helps us stay on track and get things done.
I prefer a busier vibe and other artists to bounce ideas off – I have
very large headphones for when I need to really concentrate and
get into the zone. We’re hoping to convert part of the shop into an
exhibition space, which will be super-affordable for artists to exhibit
in. It’s really nice to feel like I’m part of something.