The Entire Studio Tour...sort of.

April on my facebook page asked me about the rest of my studio space..so here goes. I've never set out to join the "loveliest space to create" circuit, but rather a fully functional space of about 300 square feet in my house. We live in San Diego, CA. IN it. (That is a major metropolitan area, Seth.) So there is no champagne real-estate to be had on my beer budget.

Starting by standing in the doorway here, from the left is where I keep my rubber stamps (rapidly growing dust). Small canvases are in the corner on the floor. Travel across the photo and see my studio partner's area, my paints up on the wall (more paint on the floor) and my laser printer. My mediums are stuffed in between the paint and the printer. My husband graciously built me the desk to suit and we had glass cut to size for the top. What's missing from this image is the wall...it is completely covered with paintings on canvas which I can't show. (That's getting old...I know.)

To save space, we built a small table out of scrap wood to hold my large-format printer, it slides under the desk when not in use. My trusty mac is on the desk, with my inspiration images on the wall above it. We took the rod out of the closet and installed more shelving to hold various buckets of shit that are left over from my card-making days (Kate has fun in there), an IKEA chest of drawers holds more stuff, including my papers. (This was not a good purchase as the chest is cheap and the drawers all sag under the weight of my treasures.) Finally, my convertible easel is where I spend more of my painting time- it turns into a table if I need to work flat...now THAT was a smart purchase.

My papers? Nothing fancy. They are cut to fit (stuff) into ziploc bags. When I need paper, I grab a bag and see what I get. I've got one drawer of paper.. The happiest time of my life was when I stopped buying every new product and using every coupon... I've found my art passion and can survive on a few basics now instead of needing a second house. Hope you had a nice tour...don't slam the non-door on your way out. xx

PS- writing on images inspired by Garance Dore. I have a total crush on her and will be working with my wacom tablet more. I hope. 

Comments

[karen cole]

Oh, to have the cleanest studio in town!! I could come in there right now sit down and make a BIG mess in that beautiful space if yours. I can't even walk in mine :-)

[iHanna]

What a pretty space Julie, so spacious and full of yuminess. I would LOVE to write on my photos too, but a wacom is lacking in my life, I think I need one this year... maybe. :-) Love the header photo too, so pretty!

[ludid]

beautiful place and love the non-door.

[linda]

wow, beautiful studio!

[K Hutchinson]

Your space is gorgeous! I wish mine was that clean and organized! Some day! It's on my goal this for this year!

[Seth]

Digging your space Julie. With all the supplies that we use, it is hard to imagine that a spare, minimalist space is possible -- but it looks like you have achieved just that. Full of function but inspiring at the same time. And LOL about the City comment. Funny, I have a post waiting to go up that touches on the very same thing ;-)

[Carol Weiler]

I sure can't keep my studio neat like yours but I love it just the same. And so agree with what you said about not using every coupon and buying new products. It just gets overwhelming and I think actually inhibits creativity. Thanks for sharing!

[Sharon Tomlinson]

Great tour Julie, Thanks! Always so fun to see other's space.

[Kelly]

Oh those evil coupons, how they do suck me into Michael's! At least now they are carrying higher end supplies like Golden! Thanks for the tour. It's always interesting to see how others organize their spaces.

[Pat]

Wow, Thanks for sharing...love the large space! Great to see where all our great classes are filmed!

[Apple]

Thank you so much for sharing your space! Mine is so messy! I would love to get it neat and tidy like yours. I will have to do my best! :)

[Kitty]

Very nice and very big. Also, very organized :D

[Kim Mailhot]

I remember you showing your workspace before and commenting on how tidy and clean everything is. I am a "pile it here, file it later" girl so I am prone to clutter in my studio as I work. Used to make me crazy until realized that taking time to clean and put everything in its place is actually a part of my process too...when I am ready for it or down to a 12" X 12" wqrk space lefy on my 10 foot table ! ;-)

Thanks for the view of where the magic happens !
Cheers, Lady !

[David]

Very nice! Love all the light you have!!! My studio is in my basement...lots of artificial light...just not the same!!!

[JJoy]

I was just catching up on some blog reading. Love the pics of your studio and love reading your blog. I just had a good laugh reading about your storage drawers-I can identify. Thanks for making my day!!

[Chris]

Nice.