Mike is likely Todos Santo’s only artist working exclusively in pastels. His passion for this medium goes back a great number of years even though his conversion to all pastels only came about roughly twenty years ago. “It makes for a pretty simple studio set-up,” says Mike, “just good lights, an adjustable easel so I can work from nearly vertical to nearly flat, depending on what I’m doing, and some table space. Of course, a few hundred pastel sticks, my favorite papers and several large clip boards are needed as well.”
“In the studio I usually work sitting down with my pastels to my right and a large rag in my lap. A white butcher tray serves as a sort of palette where I put the sticks I am currently using.” He continues, “Then there is usually music playing and plenty of fresh air. While modern pastels are non-toxic for the most part, there is still a lot of dust associated with using them and I try to keep the studio well ventilated with open windows and a fan.”
Mike’s studio is about 200 sq. ft. There are color-correct lights suspended from the high ceiling the entire length of the room and all of the table lamps have color-correct bulbs. A large, counter-height table provides him with space for laying out work and for framing, which he does himself. Overhead storage bins hold papers and mat boards. And, if he needs a break, the other end of the room is his personal gym/training room space.
Nido de la Garza Sur Estudio may be visited by appointment only. Email Mike at
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or call his cell phone at 044-612-152-6166.
Gloria’s Art Studio is located in Todos Santos, in the Tunas Barrio (on the other side). Topete towards Playitas to the blue máquina, left turn to the bottom of the hill on the left side. 
The Purple Door Studio, Diane Knight’s painting studio in Todos Santos, is a converted original Mexican house in El Centro , located on Avenida Carillo, between Obregon and Ocampo, on the north side of the road. As well as painting in the studio, Diane has a small gallery of her work, and holds intimate classes in painting with acrylics for all levels of artist.
