Studio Tour
I love to see other artists studios. Seeing the space in which artists create has always been interesting to me. I feel that viewing someones studio tells a lot about the craftsman. While my studio is far from glamorous, I thought I would share how I have pieced together a functional workshop on a goodwill budget.
Marry well if you want to be an illustrator. I don’t mean marry a wealthy bride (although that might help) I mean marry a woman who will let you turn her dinning room into a painting studio. Such is the case in my home. While I often long for a door to shut, somehow we have made do. In spite of the many frustrating moments of crying children and the occasional toy whizzing by my head, I cherish the moments my daughter climbs up on the chair and watches me draw or colors in her sketchpad at my feet.
I found a great drafting table at a thrift shop for sixty dollars. The find of the century! The adjustable top and large work area make it an ideal drawing table. You don’t see these floating around very often, so, if you see one snatch it up. Another good idea to keep your paints and supplies organized are these old metal filing containers. You can find them most anywhere: garage sales, auctions, or in my case spring cleaning at the in-laws house. There is a multitude of ways to arrange your tools, but I’ve found it’s best to keep things simple. I assigned each drawer a color, for example, the blue drawer has everything from various blue oils, acrylics, and Prisma pencils. I have extra drawers for mediums, pens, and watercolors. So, don’t assume that aliens have stolen your Prussian blue or kneaded eraser next time they are missing, simply invest the twenty bucks for one of these containers. Another great find was this Strathmore paper rack. I was in the right place at the right time when I saved it from being thrown out at an art store in indianapolis. I don’t consider myself a cheap skate, but when it comes to this kind of stuff free is key! While it’s a pain in the butt to dust, it is priceless to have a good place to store paper and art, especially since a new flat file runs about eight hundred bucks.
Its hard not to be a stacker, case in point this stack of promos. In my dream studio I would have closets and cupboards to put such things. It would have matching antique easels, filing cabinets and a big window with northern light. But, for now this space has served me well and I am content with my hodgepodge of fiscal finds. In the end this little hand written note that hangs above my desk is what’s really important.
Eric – As you may or may not know I do art rubber stamping. I have worked with many types of paints, inks, papers, etc. I have work on dominoes from thrift stores, different types of papers, counter top, paint and tile samples from Leftovers and yes even store samples. My hubby finished a large room in our basement for a stamp room and I have like you found the accessories cheap or free. I bought shelving end caps for $20 each when a store closed. My husband brought home a huge desk one of his employers were throwing away. He fixed a broken table that F.S.S. threw out for the garbage truck. I bought a huge 8 sided supply rack from a stamp store that closed for $20. I have used filing cabinets with counter tops that were cut the wrong size that we bolted on the cabinets. For holding supplies I use plastic drawers on sale. I used photo boxes and 12″ long pencil boxes that were either close outs or on sale to hold my thousands of rubber stamps. I have several carousel kitchen utensil holders from garage sales that hold paint brushes,markers, pencils, and anything else I can stuff into them. While my stamp room building materials weren’t all that cheap, my husband did all the work so that saved us a lot. It’s really neat to look at it and think how many of the things that make it mine were free, cheap or stuff I once used elsewhere in my home. So yes it is possible to create functional art and hobby areas on a budget. I love my space!
Lovely space, Eric! I think it looks like a great place to get creative / work, and who needs a dining room anyway, right?
Thanks for the tour… I agree it’s always fun to see other artisans workspace.