*First, a note. I made a commitment to writing this blog and to posting each Monday. I missed that mark with the unexpected circumstance of a very angry tooth that has protracted its irritation far too long. The tooth problem lingers still, but the pain has lessened so I am back and hopefully have no further hinderances.

Organization, color, space and whimsy- are all things I find important in creating an ideal work space for creating art, and for working creatively. Everyone works differently but I think sharing what works for me may help inspire others to find what works for them.

I live in a modest 2 bedroom 1950’s duplex in Portland, OR. The second bedroom is my husband’s office now that he works from home, in addition to being the guest room and music room. It’s a tad cramped. I think his love of music and collection of instruments would make even a large room that way eventually… So my studio is in the sort of in between space of the living room and dining room. I’m telling you this as it isn’t a studio in a room to itself, or off at some rented space. Making do with the space you have can be a challenge but isn’t impossible! To make the space “my” space and to utilize it to its’ fullest, I have added all sorts of colorful storage and placed a bright multicolor rug under my desk to mark off the area while protecting the floor from paint splatter (and the pattern would hide it). As my workspace is in the otherwise dead zone between dining and living room, I have put a bookcase on the opposite wall full of art books for reference and inspiration. My desk is a standing desk from IKEA with a tall chair from there and a round boho cushion to make it more comfortable. I have a throw blanket I wove in college looped over the back to soften it if I sit there very long (I do a mix of sitting and standing). Under the desk on either side I have a set of colored plastic drawers in rainbow colors that I use to hold my art supplies. The drawers on the left hold all of my acrylic paint and are organized by color to match the drawer as best I can. Blue holds blue, green holds green, etc. I have a space up top for my laptop. The drawers on the right hold watercolors, pastels, markers, etc and are organized like with like. I have a round IKEA box on top for small office supplies. On top of my desk I have a 6 drawer wooden organizer from Amazon for my colored pencils. I have realized that having them organized this way means I can see all of a color range at once and so avoid losing colors or over buying them. The drawers can be pulled out to work with them too, which is nice. At the end of my desk I have a green metal cabinet from IKEA that has papers for my business, my paint brushes (organized by size in utensil crocks) to keep them relatively dust free, small drawing and watercolor pads, and the space heater I use in winter. On top of this I have a basket for outgoing mail, project pieces (like bear frames to see how a project will look done), and my day planner. We have great big windows in this room but are short on overhead light, especially near my desk. To make up for that I have a standing positionable lamp on one side and a desk lamp on the other. I bring out my easel when I need it and otherwise often leave it in the basement with the rest (my art booth for shows, canvasses, large drawing pads, easels, mailing supplies, and art prints) of my art supplies.

Makeup bags are the best (and often free!) organizers!

I love this drawer setup. I can see what I have (too much French Grey 10%) and find things easily.

I think next as important as organization is having a fun place that makes me feel like I want to be there and am inspired to create. I have a cluster of art I love over my desk, a small calendar with Oregon scenery to keep me on track, and my record player near by. I keep plants in my front window to bring some of the outdoors in and have a candle or two on my desk to keep it cozy. I try to keep my home neat as messes distract me and being in a space with no door to close me off from the house I can’t unsee it if it’s there. Knowing what keeps you from work does help prevent that from happening. I try to find whimsical solutions to keeping my space tidy and functional. My husband had the idea to use cheap slap bracelets to band cords together and to attach them to things like the leg of my desk to keep them out of the way. They work well and are fun and easy to reposition. I use old makeup bags from giveaways (usu Clinique Gift with Purchase as I used to work there) to organize my supplies and keep it colorful and fun.

Top Barbie is by Thomas Webb (web it up on Etsy and IG), the Barbie below and the banana are Andy Warhol, the 2 small bears are also Thomas Webb, the jellyfish is by me (1st jellyfish I painted as I had wanted a fish tank and can’t per our lease), the tree is quilted and is by an artist named Jane who lives in England and is a friend of a friend (so talented), the rainbow gnomes are crayons I framed, the pinball girls and the forest scene are by Nicole Gustafsson ( Nima Sprout on IG and Etsy), and the mountainscape is a painting of Mt Hood by me as it is my favorite hiking trail and one that inspires me to work hard.

Plant window looking out the front of our house.

I find a chair that has a straight back keeps me sitting up straight but that it needed a bit of cushion and softness to make it comfortable for working long hours.

I thought I would include my living room as my studio is in the same space and I often use it to plan my work, write my blog, etc. I also think as bright as my studio space is it goes with the living room while feeling a bit separate. I hang some of my art in our living room until it sells to keep it decorated.

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