Daniel McCoy Jr., Española, New Mexico

How long have you been working in this space?

Four years.

Describe an average day in your studio.

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I wake around 5:15am. I wake up my family and animals. We leave the house around 7, and I drive 35 miles south up to Santa Fe. I return around 9:15am from dropping my Wife Topaz, who is a teacher, son Levon, and daughter Fia at three separate schools. I begin painting around 10am. Music and coffee play an important role at this time. I work until 2:30pm then repeat the process. We will usually do something for dinner, and then I will work until late into the evening. Especially if there is a time-sensitive project that I am working on.

How does the space affect your work?

This is a comfortable space connected to my home. The important issue is that there is beautiful scenery outside that allows a connection to nature. Throughout the day, I see the sunrise, sunset, view the mountains, and view the stars.

How do you interact with the environment outside your studio?

I am near Santa Fe, which has a thriving art scene with many galleries and museums to visit for historic art. I live between the Tewa Pueblos nearby and at times I get to view what my friends are creating. I visit the gallery I am represented by, Hecho a Mano, a few times each month to gather inspiration from the current shows. My wife and I are both involved in education in the arts, so we see the beginnings of artistic growth. Plus, I have the best friends a guy could ever have, and they are all artists.

What do you love about your studio?

It holds my favorite books, my favorite instruments, and all my ideas. What a fortunate human I am. I am very grateful.

What do you wish were different?

More space, more machines, and woodworking tools. An outside area for carving. The elevation is pretty high here in the mountains and the summer sun can get pretty hot.

What is your favorite local museum?

SITE Santa Fe. I have had the opportunity to work with the team on various shows over the years. Very special people to me.

What is your favorite art material to work with?

Oil-based paints. Particularly One Shot Enamel on large surfaces.

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