Open Studio: Do–It–Yourself Art Projects by Contemporary Artists

A behind-the-scenes look at leading contemporary artists at work in their studios, with original art projects to recreate at home

Open Studio invites you into the private studios of seventeen of the most celebrated contemporary artists as they draw, paint, sculpt, or design an original project for readers to recreate at home. Join George Condo as he creates a paint-by-numbers portrait, William Wegman as he watercolors whimsical scenes of his beloved Weimaraners, and Mickalene Thomas as she makes an artist's book out of collage.

Open Studio demystifies the studio practice through fun, accessible, D.I.Y. projects. The book provides a suggested list of supplies, illustrated step-by-step instructions, pull-out templates and stencils, and essential elements - no special skills or previous art experience required! The result is sure to inspire kids and adults alike to blaze their own creative trails.

Each entry also includes a brief profile of the artist, exploring how they came to love art, their unique creative methodologies, and the sources of their inspiration, along with original photography of the artists in their studios.

Participating artists include: Marina Abramovic, George Condo, Will Cotton, John Currin, Thomas Demand, Rachel Feinstein, The Haas Brothers, Alex Israel, Rashid Johnson, KAWS, Maya Lin, Julie Mehretu, Wangechi Mutu, Mickalene Thomas, Sarah Sze, William Wegman, and Lawrence Weiner.

Amanda Benchley is a freelance filmmaker and journalist and the co-author of Artists Living with Art. She has worked at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Sotheby's, and has written for the Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, and New York Observer.

Sharon Coplan Hurowitz is an independent curator, art advisor, and print publisher, author of John Baldessari: A Catalogue Raisonné of Prints and Multiples and a contributor to Letters to Ellsworth.

Casey Kelbaugh is a freelance photographer and the founder of arts-based nonprofit, Slideluck. His clients include Sotheby’s, MoMA, Art Basel and the Dia Art Foundation and he has chronicled the art world for The New York Times, ARTnews and Frieze Magazine.