Vancouver Artists & their studios
BY SCENE MAGAZINE

VANCOUVER B.C
Gideon Flitt, a newcomer from London, England, recalls his last studio space with a wince. Claustrophobic is an understatement. It was difficult to turn around particularly because he works alongside an apprentice. In comparison, his large Yaletown studio has plenty to spare with lots of skid space when reality sets its morbid head down at deadline time. While the space itself is attractive in its spaciousness, the natural brick interior, large windows overlooking Homer Street, along with his decor have personalized the space in a unique way. On the wall above the windows is a row of 20 or more toasters that Gideon is accumulating for a future painting. His dramatic and somewhat disturbing paintings cover most available wall space, while half a dozen Persians line the concrete floor. Life as a painter began only four years ago - a natural progression from his lifelong love for drawing. His main business is his hair salon, The Room.

"Each painter has to have essential ingredients before they can work. Mine include a stereo because I like to play classical music loudly when I work (luckily the place is sound proof), the other is light." He says. "Halogen works well because it's close to natural light and gives the most neutral light as well." When he finds himself in situations working night and day, Gideon often works to the point of unconsciousness, lies down, sleeps, gets up and immediately starts working again.

"When an artist takes a live-in, work-in approach it can be quite obsessive. You also don't have to get psyched up to go anywhere. The down side is you wake up and you're looking at you work, you can't get away from it." He says. Working closely with a student comes easy for Gideon. But, if it's someone who isn't used to being around artists, "they're a pain in the ass," he says. They want to chat or hang out and they want to be cool because it's a cool space.