The Studio Boat

(Reprinted with additional new content and images from an article in
International Artist magazine #131.)

John Hulsey Paints in the Studio Boat

Shortly after moving to Argenteuil in 1871, and inspired by his friend Charles-François Daubigny, Claude Monet purchased a boat which he converted to a bateau-atelier, or studio boat, so that he could paint the views and reflections from on the water. The ethereal views of the Seine, Oise and Epte rivers that he painted are some of his most loved paintings today. His example inspired me to buy a used jon-boat to serve as my own modest outdoor painting studio when I work on the large pond near my studio. After a thorough scrape-down and repaint, I named the boat after my nickname for my wife: “Annabelle”. The boat is now equipped with an electric motor, oars, two anchors and a pair of swivel seats, but actually has built-in seating for five people, plus dogs. It has a flat bottom and when anchored fore and aft, is …