For many years, I worked on the floor accessing my supplies from a bag. In 2020, a friend gifted me an easel which changed my life.
I've moved the easel and my supplies around a couple of times since then. Each time trying to figure out how to make my space more user friendly. I thought that it might be helpful to share some tips that have helped me.
Think about access. Which supplies do you reach for the most? How can you make them more accessible?
Do you have access to too much? Think about limiting your supplies. Swap out or rotate tools and products which aren't in regular use. I discovered, that for me, setting limits helps my creativity.
For example, instead of having access to all of my paint tubes, I have a set palette which encourages me not only to mix colors, but to understand how they work. This also applies to my paint brushes, crayons, markers, pencils, and other mediums. I keep them in drawers within arm's reach from my work area, taking out what I need.
I've also limited my supplies, focusing on what I tend to reach for and use on a daily basis. I'll swap out supplies if I feel the urge to go to the art store, like a parent rotates a child's toys.
Can you leave out work in progress? If you're working in a journal, can you leave the work open so that as you walk by, it calls you to engage with the work in some way. Leaving my work propped open and on my easel allows me to see it as I walk by. It allows me to think about the work and problem solve, or brainstorm different ideas, especially if I'm stuck or unsure.
My space isn't perfect but, at the moment, it inspires and calls to me on a regular basis. After all, isn't this what a creative space should do?
You're invited to join me:
Sun•Moon•Stars: the Painted Dandelion
Saturday 21 September 2024
11 AM - 2 PM PDT
SALE: $65 until noon PDT 9/18
(regular price $75)
Live (and later available as a recording)
Gather a handful of colors, brushes, and your substrate of choice, and celebrate the last day of summer.
“Most of the dandelions had changed from suns into moons.”
– Vladimir Nabokov
They say that the dandelion is the only flower that represents the celestial bodies of the sun, moon and stars. The yellow flower resembles the sun, the puff is the moon and the seeds scatter like the stars. The dandelion opens to greet the morning and closes in the evening to sleep.
Honor and celebrate this colorful time of year by spending an afternoon immersed in play and thoughtful exploration.
Thank you for reading. I appreciate your interest and support.
If you find this useful and you’d like more, please let me know. If you have any questions or ideas for posts, I appreciate reading what others are interested in learning and sharing.
Best and thanks,
Kelly
I love that you have quotes written on your easel!!! I never thought about writing on mine. Can I ask, what is the big board you have on the easel behind the paintings displayed on it and has the binder clips on it? I also love your space where you create.
I can leave my work out, if I chose to. I would really love to have my art table by the window, but my cats won't abide by my boundaries lol. Then if I moved it too, then I couldn't use the under the shelf light I use to illuminate my work space. And I have yet to find a place in my space that I am happy with where my easel is.
I love the analogy of the Dandelion!