Spring is officially here, and we are wrapping up our studio challenge just in time.
Now for the fun part.
Since we finished de-cluttering and cleaning, it’s time to re-create our space.
A few years back I did a major overhaul of my studio, but it can still use some tweaking. Mine is a multi-use space since I both paint in and teach in the same room.
First to consider is if the arrangement still works well, or if it needs adjustments. Would rearranging it help? Would it provide more room or more lighting to re-arrange things?
Furniture and storage
If you need ideas refer to your Pinterest board again for different ways things can be organized. You don’t have to purchase everything at the container store or IKEA to have effective systems.
It’s good to consider ergonomics. If you stand to create you may want to invest in a stress mat. If you sit hunched over as you work, you may need to adjust your chair, easel or table height to sit straighter. You can use a timer to remind you to change your position regularly.
David Kassan’s has an ergonomic vertical palette which enables you to paint without bending and twisting so much. It also makes it easier to judge the values.
Which is more important to you – functionality and efficiency or aesthetic charm? Which do you want in your space? Sometimes we just need things around us that we like to look at. I have an area covered in cork tiles where I can pin up inspiring work, student drawings, and color charts. I recently pinned up drawings during the open studio event.
I love things I find at thrift shops, hardware and home improvement store. Check to see if you have a Public Surplus site for your area. Public Surplus is an online auction site used by universities and public institutions to get rid of unneeded items. There may be similar services in other countries. It’s a great site for furniture. A few years back I scored some oak flat files through them.
Storage
- Store similar supplies together. Label them with the VERB, “draw”, “paint”, etc. It is subtly motivating.
- Store active artwork where you can get to it easily.
- A painting rack, cabinet, flat files, portfolio cases, etc. are useful for this. Store work according to size and type with lighter things on top of heavier ones. Make sure nothing is leaning on anything else. Be careful not to overload drawers and portfolios or work can be damaged. Corrugated cardboard or plastic “cardboard” makes good dividers, as do foam insulation sheets from local home builder stores.
- Label what the artwork is. Using labels on flat files, shelves, racks and in cabinets saves time and avoids damage from continued shuffling and moving items to find things.
- Store ongoing projects in bins or boxes for quick access.
- Consider vertical storage to free up work surfaces and floor space. Storing things on the floor makes the space look cluttered.
- To hide the visual chaos of your storage rack, consider curtains, roller shades, shutters, or a folding screen.
- In smaller spaces use dual or multi-function items, such as furniture on wheels that move easily and items that fold away for easy storage.
- Finally, for the art itself, galleries can be great storage options for you! Just sayin’. Part of your strategy could involve determining where you can show the work either temporarily or in an ongoing relationship to get it out of the studio and where people can see it. And who knows, perhaps it won’t come back.
Lighting
Consider the lighting in your space. Does it work for you and is it adequate? Can you simulate it with artificial lighting or move your workspace closer to the window? Do you even have a window? Maybe put one in or put in a light well. When we recently re-did our roof we put in a light tube in the studio and I can often work with no artificial light.
There are many types of lighting from daylight color corrected to warm spotlights.
It would be a post on its own, but simply, the Kelvin measurement indicates how yellow (low numbers) or blue (high numbers) the light is. 5000K is considered to be the closest to daylight. The higher the CRI (color rendering index) number on the bulb the more true the colors appear with that lighting.
Celebrate
Spend time trying out the new arrangement and don’t be afraid to make changes as you discover you need them.
Celebrate by treating yourself to something you discovered you need or want. More paint, more time, more chocolate!
Leave your comments or join us on the Facebook page for more conversation and pictures of what’s happening.