Creatively Organized Spaces
This week’s FUN DIY Organizing project that may (or may not) help you stay organized.
Recycled Handlebar Bike Rack! Instructions HERE.
These may not always be the most practical projects but that’s not the point here, this is about FUN folks, it’s FRIDAY!
I’d would be lying if I said I love Christmas. I don’t, I didn’t grow up with it, it’s not a tradition I feel strongly connected to for family, cultural or spiritual reasons. I could easily skip MOST of Christmas and be quite content but I play along…at least a little.
Things I LOVE about the season are expressions of gratitude, thoughtful generosity, great food, beautiful festive decorations and the time spent with family and friends.
Here’s my Un-Gift Guide, things I could do without this holiday season. Maybe you can too?
When gifting, please consider giving Experiences such as gift certificates for services at favorite restaurants, spas, classes and consumables like food, candles, beverages and personal care products such as lotions, soaps and perfumes. This probably means you need to know the person you are giving the experience to well enough to know what they like. If you’re not sure, include a gift receipt too.
Why not just ask what people want? I’m not sure why or when this became taboo but I think it’s much more generous to give someone something someone will love than to give someone clutter.
PS…I’m not Scrooge!
Thanks for joining me today for another artist studio Sneak Peek. This week I’m sharing the small studio space of SCAD MFA Fibers candidate, Cara DiJulio who’s space and work I saw back a few months ago at their Open Studio night. I left Cara a note and she responded and we made arrangements to meet up on my last visit to Savannah. I love sharing this sneak peek because as most students know, even if you are lucky enough to be assigned a studio space while you are in school, it’s likely very small. So this small space studio highlights efficient use of space and storage including vertical, horizontal and “layering” (storing below other pieces etc).
HKPS::What age did you suspect or know you were an artist?
CD::In the sixth grade my art teacher told me that she thought my project was at an ‘advanced level’ for a sixth grader. It was a perspective drawing of the word “STAR” with a drop shadow… (so, it was pretty cool). I thought I was on top of the world. I think that’s when it occurred to me that I should keep taking art classes.
In undergrad I originally intended to major in Apparel Merchandising, but I kept avoiding my apparel classes and was taking art classes instead. Even though I didn’t want to be an art major, by the end of my sophomore year I was accidentally on track for an MS in Studio Art. I eventually changed my major.
HKPS::What mediums do you work with?
CD::My primary focus is geometric repeat pattern, so I weave with the digital jacquard loom, I screen print, I free motion embroider, and I draw with pencil and gouache.
HKPS::Where do you make your art, how big is your studio and how long have you been in this space?
CD::I share a great studio space with four other (amazingly talented!) graduate students in Pepe Hall at Savannah College of Art and Design.
I prefer to work in the studio, working at home can be hard!
HKPS::When you began working in this space did you plan any systems for the overall set up or did you let things evolve organically? How did past studio spaces or systems influence this space?
CD::I tend to keep my organizational systems pretty much the same from place to place. I use a large ikea cabinet with pull out wire baskets for most of my supplies. Its great because I can see what is in the drawers before opening them.
I also like to keep my screen printing ink organized by color, visible on a wire baker’s rack.
HKPS::Do you consider yourself to be an organized person?
CD::I TRY, it’s hard! Every part of me prefers to work in an organized space, and I’m so much more focused in an organized space, but I’m a messy worker.
The organizational structure exists in my studio, whether things get to their homes on a regular basis is a different story!
HKPS::Have you ever worked with another artist or gallery? If so did you learn any systems for organizing?
CD::Nope!
HKPS::How or where else have you learn your organizing habits and systems ?
CD::Mostly, my mom. She is the most organized person I think I’ve ever met. Everything has a place, and is in its place, at her house.
HKPS::What types of schedules, systems, tools or processes do you use to help maintain organization in your studio? Would you like to share any tips?
CD::I love organizing things by color, it makes life a lot easier. I also have my thread organized in an old silverware organizer! It works so well, I’ve tried other systems but this seems to work the best.
I think I’m best at staying organized when I’m conscious of my space, and conscious of my studio mates (no one likes looking at a messy desk)
HKPS::What kinds of materials/tools do you find challenging to keep organized or locate when you need to use them?
CD::Refolding fabric nicely is always a challenge for me. I also misplace needles constantly.
HKPS::How many projects are you usually working on at once? Is this due to space constraints, creative process, organizing systems or other influences?
CD::Oh, this is a tough question. It really depends. I would say, 1 to 5 projects. I can get easily frustrated, so I like to jump around with projects when I’m drawing or designing on the computer.
HKPS::How often do you purge, clean or de-clutter your supply stash and space due to space or other constraints? (ex. yes monthly/few times a year or when I feel like it, because I have visitors etc)
CD::Not as often as I should! I probably purge about twice a year. Fabric is always a really tough thing to purge, it’s also a real pain to cart around.
HKPS::Please describe how creative cycles of organization or dis-organization affect your creative process?Are there certain phases of projects that are more or less organized?(ex. I can’t focus unless things are put away, creative chaos inspires me, and things get messy as I work but I clean up at the end of projects)
CD::I like to have a clean space before I work. Frequently I’ll be exhausted when I leave the studio at night, and opt to clean up my space in the morning instead. I need to get in the habit of cleaning when I leave though.
HKPS::How much thought do you give to your artistic body of work in terms of historic value and the overall legacy you will leave behind? How do you store/archive your work or records?
CD::I don’t really think much about my legacy, I don’t typically concern myself too much with archival quality. The work I’m doing right now is still very exploratory, so its life cycle isn’t a major concern. I keep my old work in some plastic containers in my studio and in my home. (Maybe we will check back with you in a few years to see if you still feel this way?)
My greatest wish is that through seeing how other artist work we can learn from one another. There is no ONE correct system or way of organizing. There are as many creative systems as their creative makers! My aim is to highlight these unique makers in each interview. I was so grateful to Cara for responding and inviting me back to see her studio and ahow organizing affects her creative process. Please check out her work over at her website (which is still under construction) or on Instagram (@caradijulio) and keep your eye on her since she is an emerging artist and designer! As for this series, please check back here or better yet, sign up for my emails on the top left of any page so you don’t’ miss any of the amazing artists in the near future ‘Inside the Studio’!
* Inside the Studio was my brainchild in 2011. There are a lot of popular studio features on the web and in magazines but I’m specifically interested in showing how organizational process influences the artists studio work. These photo’s are not styled and are typical of how the artists working studio looks. I request that each artist leave their space as it would be on a daily basis (just like I ask my clients). This series is meant to highlight how artist REALLY work rather than showing STYLED shots (popular in home and organizing magazines and blogs). I’m sure just like me, you are fascinated by the “behind the scenes” sneak peek into these artists working lives!
This is a really quick and easy idea I recently got from my friend Bill. He was in the midst of organizing and stopped to share his clever Color-Coded Tools with me.
He sorted all his small tools into categories and created a color chart to help him remember what goes in each. He could even take it a step further and paint or add color coded tape to each tool’s handle so he would not have to look at his reference chart.
I love these bags and could see a similar method used for sorting any small tools or objects such as craft supplies, bathroom products, small camping gear, toys and more! If you would rather use clear bags you could still use this concept and be able to see the contents. But these Klein bags are super durable and come in great colors for a great price!
Welcome to 2014!! Today’s a special Double Feature day Inside the Home & Studio of my dear friends Sarah and Brad. I met Sarah and later Brad, while attending college at SCAD. Sarah and I were both fibers majors, both focusing on weaving and we have been fiber friends ever since. She is a very talented weaver and woven textile designer for her industry job at Pure Country Weavers. Brad, Sarah’s husband is a talented painter and more recently has embarked on a career working with illustration for the comic book industry. His most recent work is as a colorist for Marvel and you can see some of the work he’s done here. This creative husband and wife team bravely sold almost everything they owned and moved out to San Francisco about 5 years ago. These days they both work from their home and have learned to live a more simple life, in less space and value what is truly important to them.
HKPS:: At what age did you realize you were an artist?
Sarah – I never had an “aha!” moment where I declared myself an artist. As far back as I can remember, I was just always innately drawn to arts and crafts. Growing up in the mountains of East Tennessee, a lot of my parents’ friends were artisans of varying crafts and media, so I think that greatly influenced me.
Brad – I realized by the time I was 4 years old. I would draw all day and often go through those 200 sheet school notepads in one day.
HKPS:: What medium(s) do you work with?
Sarah – My main medium is textiles, more specifically weaving, but I love to dabble in drawing, painting and collage too. I work as a designer in the textile industry, so I spend a lot of time on the computer working mainly in Photoshop.
Brad – Currently, I work in the comic book industry as a colorist, so most of my work is digital. I use Photoshop and Corel Painter. I’ve done a lot of work in oil painting, but my favorite medium is watercolors.
HKPS::Where do you make your art & how big is your space?
Sarah – I work all around my home. There is no official studio space, instead my home and studio are integrated. This is necessary living in the bay area where living space is greatly limited. Our furniture has to double duty as art supply storage and work surface.
Brad – Living in small apartments over the past 6 years has taught me you really don’t need as much space as you think.
HKPS:: Do you consider yourself to be an organized person?
Sarah – I’m fairly organized, but I’m not overly concerned with it. Over the years, I’ve become more relaxed with organization. Most of my stuff has a drawer or a box or a shelf where it belongs, but that’s about as far as my organization goes.
Brad – I’m an organized person out of necessity. I have various deadlines on a weekly basis, and I have to keep track of these obligations since I work for myself. With my personal art like painting and drawing, I’ve always taken an organized approach with my time management and layout of materials.
HKPS::How/Where did you learn your organizing habits and systems?
Sarah – My family was incredibly unorganized growing up, and I think that initially drove me to become extremely organized when I left for college. I guess I’m self-taught. However, I found myself being stressed out by keeping everything so orderly, and over time, I’ve learned to lighten up a bit and find a more balanced approach to organizational habits. I don’t sweat the small stuff anymore.
Brad – Early on in my life, I struggled with learning disabilities and I was extremely unorganized. When I went to high school, I had some great tutors that taught me some organizational techniques that I still use daily.
HKPS:: What types of cycles have you notices in your working process? Are there certain phases of projects that are neater or more disorganized?
Sarah – I actually work very organically. The more organic I work, the better my art turns out. I like to be spontaneous with minimal structure and planning. It’s where my magic happens.
Brad – When I have multiple deadlines with a hectic schedule, my working process becomes disheveled. So after a deadline or heavy work cycle, I take time to reboot and reorganize my space so I can start fresh.
HKPS:: What types of schedules, systems, tools or tips do you use to help maintain organization in your studio?
Sarah – I now use my iPhone for all task organization – list making, calendars, reminders etc.
Brad – I use gmail and all it’s features for most of my planning organization, however, I still like to make a list on paper with daily objectives.
HKPS:: What materials/tools do you find challenging to keep organized or locate when you need to use them?
Sarah – Having such a small living and studio space, I can’t hoard materials/tools. It actually influences me to be more purposeful with what I’m creating and less wasteful. And the added bonus is that I can locate my materials easily.
Brad – Physically, I don’t have any challenges with keeping my materials and tools organized. However, in my line of work, I have a tremendous amount of digital files that have to be catalogued. I find this to be extremely difficult.
HKPS:: How often do you purge or declutter your supply stash due to space or other constraints?
Sarah – Living and working in a small space requires constant purging of supplies. I evaluate my supply needs every couple of months or so. There are so many great re-use/scrap centers in the bay area, which is where I donate my purged materials. I also shop for new supplies at these reuse centers. Nothing goes to waste!
Brad – Every couple of months.
HKPS:: Please describe how creative cycles of organization or disorganization affect your creative process.
Sarah – As I stated previously, I work best in an organic state, so things can get messy. But I have to be respectful of my shared space with my husband, so I can never let it get too out of hand. This is where a separate studio space would be beneficial to me some day. But working with space restraints is a necessity and has been beneficial too. Living in my studio space keeps me constantly engaged with my art, a continuous creative hum to my daily living.
Brad – I begin my creative process in an organized state, but gradually as a project unfolds, my space becomes more cluttered. However, this doesn’t affect my productivity. After I’ve completed a project, I regroup and organize.
Thank you so much, Sarah and Brad for inviting us into your home and providing us with the photo’s and your responses. Each have shared some great insight and it’s fascinating how they both approach organizing and how plays into their creative process a bit differently. Living and working from home can be challenging and I’m certain these two have both had to evaluate and re-evaluate what it takes to stay successful. They have certainly created a beautiful and functional living and working environment. They will soon have the addition of a wee little one, congratulations!
My greatest wish is that through seeing how other artist work we can learn from one another. There is no ONE correct system or way of organizing. There are as many creative systems as their creative makers! My aim is to highlight these unique makers in each interview. A HUGE thank you to each one of this year’s artists for inviting us into their studio and sharing their systems and how organizing affects their creative process. There will be more to come next year and I’m working on ways to share this feature via other avenues. I am also planning to expand the series to include other sneak peek interviews into creative small business sometime around mid-2014. If you missed any of my previous Inside the Studio posts this year please go back and take a look!
* Inside the Studio was my brainchild in 2011. There are a lot of popular studio features on the web and in magazines but I’m specifically interested in showing how organizational process influences the artists studio work. These photo’s are not styled and are typical of how the artists working studio looks. I request that each artist leave their space as it would be on a daily basis (just like I ask my clients). This series is meant to highlight how artist REALLY work rather than showing STYLED shots (popular in home and organizing magazines and blogs). I’m sure just like me, you are fascinated by the “behind the scenes” sneak peek into these artists working lives!
