5 Tips For Creating Your Authentic Art Studio
Your creative practice is the most important piece of your creativity. Setting up an art studio provides a place for you to arouse inspiration and enter your artistic workflow.
5 Tips For Creating the Ultimate Art Studio
I recently moved into a home nestled in the woods. I carefully chose the room I wanted to dedicate to creativity, however, six months into the new space and I was still struggling to make it my own. It was messy and unorganized - and to no one’s surprise, I didn’t feel creative in this new space. As a generous gift from my partner, we spent the weekend cleaning out, cleaning up, and reorganizing. I am completely inspired by the setup and as a result, I am in a season of massive creative output.
I think setting up a space to make art is extremely important for artists. It not only helps you set intentions but also allows room for creative magic. I shared the process with my Instagram community and came into a flood of direct messages from people with great comments and questions. I’ve written about setting up an art studio that inspires creativity before, but with this blog post I rounded up the top 5 questions, thoughts, and ideas, to help move you into a creative studio.
Should I work from home or search for an art studio community?
This question is entirely up to you and should be determined based on your working needs. For example, you may need to work from home because you have competing priorities. An at home art studio enables you to work when it’s most convenient for you. Working from home also reduces monthly expenses.
Alternatively, you may desire more space than your home offers. Renting an art studio offers additional space that may not be readily available in your home. This can also help create working boundaries, and offer you a community of working artists to network with. Also, as an added bonus, renting an art studio is it reduced wear and tear on your home.
I dream of having a room dedicated to just my art one day!
I actually never prioritized having my own space. Art takes bravery and committing a whole space to engage with creativity seemed like a risk. My partner encouraged otherwise and I couldn’t be more grateful. Here are my thoughts for both - having your own dedicated art studio and using a dual-purpose art studio.
Not everyone wants, or even needs, their own dedicated art studio. If you are working in your home, sometimes the lighting in your living is just right or you can spread out in a cozy basement corner. Sometimes, there are places in your home that just make you feel productive. You can still create an inspiring art studio even if you don’t have a dedicated room reserved for creativity. On the other hand, I have enjoyed having a dedicated space to encourage boundaries with myself and others. It can also provide ample space to dive into many projects as needed.
Look for an art space in your house that would be reasonable for you to set up a working area like a desk or a table easel. If you plan on working in a highly trafficked area, be prepared to set up and clean up after each session, and purchase art supplies and art storage that make this easier. If you are able to make an area of your home more permanent, like a living room corner, consider finding art supplies and art storage that reduces clutter. Dedicate a storage space for supplies like brushes, paints, pencils, papers, etc. The key here is to not overlook storage (you always need more than you think).
How do you figure out what works best for you without wasting time and money?
This is one of the biggest challenges I think many people face when trying to decide how to build their art studio. As visual people, flocking to places like Pinterest and Instagram feels like the best place to start, however, I encourage you to reject that idea and discover patience. Growing your creativity isn’t an end destination. It is a practice and only time will help you discover what you need to find comfort in your workflow.
Begin with items you have on hand. Set them up in the most intentional way and work for a few months. Then, determine what might be working and where you need to adjust. This is the best way to acquire pieces that serve a function to you and make your own workflows manageable.
What are the best recommendations for storage?
Storage is the epitome of the art studio. I encourage you to refer to the above response. How do you work? What medium do you work in most? What storage will be necessary and avoid any hazards? Where will you store finished works, in-progress works, art supplies, packing materials, computer-related items… the list could continue.
Pay attention to lighting.
Lighting is an easy oversight in most areas of the home, yet it plays one of the biggest roles in transforming a space. Pay attention to which rooms or spaces in your home get the best sunlight. Aside from natural light, also play around with light fixtures that allow for multiple hues. I suggest the Phillips Hue bulbs. Their spectrum allows for both warm and cool light plus an additional 16 million hues. This enables complete control over color, especially for those who work at night. Remove some light bulbs from overhead lighting or acquire lamps to make a space warmer and inviting.
All in all, you have to do what works best for you and your workflow. Take time to understand what fills you with inspiration - what colors, textures, and patterns do you like having around? What will bring you joy on a somewhat consistent basis? Next, how do you LIKE to work and what do you NEED to work? Don’t skip over storage. Find nooks and crannies along with art studio storage that fit your dedicated studio space. Then, move items around continuously until they feel at home.
