How’s your art studio or creative workspace looking these days? Does it need a little sprucing up? I have just the inspiration: exploring other art spaces. There’s nothing like taking a virtual tour of really cool artists’ studios to get you thinking about how to improve yours—maybe get some new vintage storage pieces, reconfigure your work area, hang some cool artwork. Why don’t we take that tour right now? Don’t worry—you won’t have to get out of your pajamas or get off your sofa.
Two CD collections of Studios magazines take you on insider tours of some of the most interesting and eclectic art studios you’ve ever seen. Some are spacious, some are tucked into spare rooms, but all have special touches fashioned by the artists themselves. Take, for instance, the tiny space Shelley Gerber carved out, all 3′ x 8′ of it, packed efficiently with tools and supplies for knitting, sewing, jewelry making, and much more (Studios Spring 2012).
Then there’s the expansive two-story red barn that artist Bruce Everett built especially for his paintings and woodworking, complete with solar panels and copious storage and display space (Studios Spring 2013).
Getting to see the inner workings of an art studio is truly a thrill. I love looking at studios for a couple of reasons: I’m fascinated by how artists configure their spaces, making the most of what they have, constructing what they need, and filling their walls, nooks, and shelves with art and items they love. I also get great ideas for my own space. I must have passed by hundreds of vintage muffin tins before I realized, after seeing them in someone’s studio, that they made perfect keepers for items like beads, buttons, watch faces, pins, etc.
You’ll find that some articles include great storage and décor tips. In the Spring 2012 issue, for instance, mixed-media artist Thespoena McLaughlin outlines how she transformed her basic plywood floor using an old lace tablecloth and a can of white spray paint, creating a beautiful faux rug. Mixed-media artist and author Jane Davenport offers several tips for organizing with style in the Winter 2012 issue, including this idea: For extra storage, top a vintage sideboard with an old door, then add a hutch on top of the door. This is also a good reminder to think vertically when looking for added storage, especially if space is at a premium.
The stories that accompany the photos reveal so much about the artists, their backgrounds, and their creative processes. I’ve been a fan of Jenny Jafek-Jones’ gorgeous paper flowers ever since I saw them in I {Heart} Paper magazine. What I didn’t know, until I read about her in the Fall 2013 issue of Studios, is that she was inspired by her own wedding to begin making flowers out of paper. Also, her husband built her studio from the ground up—how’s that for true love in action?
No doubt you’ll see art studios of many of your artistic heroes; one of mine, Isabelle de Borchgrave, is featured in the Spring 2012 issue. Her space, fresh and contemporary, is the antithesis of what I thought it would be, considering the intricate processes she uses to create her incredibly detailed historical paper clothing.
Going through these issues of Studios again I got lost in so many incredible worlds of creativity. I’m inspired now to make my own space even more conducive to making art. When life gets too chaotic, I’m grateful that I have these magazines to escape to when I need a breather from the world. With four issues in each CD collection, that’s a lot of breathing easy.
If you’re ready to hit the flea markets in search of the perfect vintage piece for your art studio, be sure to read this blog post first to get great insider tips!
