Clean vs Cluttered – join the clean studio challenge

We all have our preferences. Some studios are cluttered like Francis Bacon’s (well, few are probably that cluttered), and some are pristine.

What works best for you? Do you know or is it by default that your studio looks the way it does?

Several years ago, I did a massive de-clutter and upgrade to my studio. I discovered that if it was too minimal I couldn’t work well. I needed a certain amount of stuff sitting around the studio for inspiration. But there is an optimal level before it gets to be too much.

How do you feel in a clean minimal space with few distractions vs a space filled with objects, artifacts, and inspirational pieces?

Does your studio look like a hurricane hit after you’ve been working on a project? (Mine does) Does the cleanup help focus you on the next project or is it a distraction that helps you procrastinate? Do you regularly clean up only to trash your space again?

The three steps I use to tackle this are to first, clear the clutter, then find a home for everything and finally form better habits to keep it that way. (Ok, full disclosure, I’ve never actually managed the last one!)

Once again my studio recently needed a thorough cleaning to prepare for my open studios this month. Since I didn’t have time to clean up, I moved a lot of stuff into my office temporarily. Now I have to do something about it.

Beginning March 1st, you can join me in a 30-day Spring Clean Studio Challenge where we can do a proper spring cleaning and purge of our studios.

Join me and make your studio a little bit of heaven.

I’ve created a private Studio Heaven Facebook group just for the challenge. Each Thursday for the next four weeks I’ll post a new prompt. 

We’ll tackle different aspects of the studio including:

1. Sorting, weeding, & organizing your work
2. Art supplies, materials, props, and tools.
3. Reference materials, records, and files
4. Organizing, furnishings, storage, and lighting

You can share your progress images on Instagram using the hashtag #CleanStudioChallenge

ACTIONS:

This week would be a good time to start a Pinterest board about Studios that inspire you. Think about color, aesthetics, functionality. You can also draw inspiration from all interiors and workspaces as well as colors, nature, etc. I started a Pinterest board about art studios that you can check out here. Many of the images are wishful thinking, but they are still inspirational.