Today’s studio sneak peek is in the studio with Jeni Rone of Sea Star Arts. Jeni is a “sparkling” Charleston photographer that I bumped into first over at Spacecraft Studio’s. We continue to bump into each other again and again round town:) I’ve been following her on Instagram ever since and love her photo’s that so beautifully capture the sparkle of living in Charleston!
HKPS::Have you always known you were an artist?
JR::I was born and raised by two artists so I always had opportunities to create. I guess I realized I was an artist when I used my art to make others happy!
HKPS::What mediums do you work with?
JR::I enjoy all forms of medium, from watercolor to mod podge! However, my current medium that I live off of is digital & film photography.
HKPS::Where do you make Art and how big is your studio?
JR::Lucky for me I can make art anywhere! And Charleston is an amazing place to capture with a camera. I hold photography classes, take lifestyle & product portraits and record weddings outside surrounded by spanish moss, live oaks and the ocean. A large part of photography also includes the processing/editing of images and that’s when I come inside. My small condo near Sullivan’s Island is where the images come to life on my computers.
Sometimes I am inside at my desk or out on the porch. Depends on the humidity of the day! 
HKPS::Do you consider yourself to be an organized person?
JR::Is there such a thing as messy-organized-Crazed storage? (HKPS-YES-ABSOLUTELY!!) I have piles everywhere… and I cannot get enough baskets! Baskets under my desk for files and paperwork, baskets on the shelves to hold paints and markers! Baskets in the closet to hold pj’s (preferred clothing when editing!) and socks. There are even baskets in the kitchen to hold my grits! I mix in photographs, books and artwork with my baskets to create organized art!
HKPS::How or where did you learn your organizing habits and systems?
JR::I think I learned organization out of necessity? Living in a small place, it allows for quick storage and easy retrieval to keep your precious items in baskets. If it isn’t readily available or within reach I won’t remember to use it or that I even have it! Baskets are a convenience that looks pretty, too. On top of my bookcase I have my favorite new baskets from the Threshold Collection at Target. In the office I have the awesome IKEA shelves and baskets catching my paints, brushes and papers.
HKPS::What types of cycles have you noticed in your working process?
JR::I am the ultimate procrastinator! I will hold out on finishing up the tasks I enjoy the least until its right at the deadline. It’s tough but I have learned to organize my day so that when I am most productive (late morning and early evening) I set out to accomplish those tasks I don’t enjoy, or need top focus for! Early morning I need inspiration reading emails (I’m a blog-aholic) with a walk on the beach with my dog. Then I consult my various lists on sticky notes and go. There is nothing like crossing something off the list…
HKPS::What types of schedules, systems, tools or tips do you use to help ::maintain organization in your studio? (calendars, planners, technology-phone apps etc)
I really enjoy folders! Much like baskets, folders on my computer keep my appointments, class schedules, inspiration ideas and other emails in place for quick reference. There are so many options these days with apps, programs and such that it can be overwhelming. I guess that’s where I am still old school and use Outlook Email with LOTS of folders!
HKPS:: What kinds of materials/tools do you find challenging to keep organized or locate when you need to use them?
JR::When creating special packages for my clients, it’s always a challenge to make sure you have all the supplies available and within reach when the inspiration hits you! I love paper and surprise gifts so I craft little boxes with notes, presents and photographs! The challenge is keeping enough goodies in stock but not over done that you cannot walk into the office! (I’ve done that!)
HKPS::How often do you purge or declutter your supply stash due to space or other constraints?
This is where hired help can be a blessing… purge? De-clutter? That is so hard to do when it’s sentimental, “could use it some day” or just pretty stuff like ribbons and stacks of stationary for snail mail. It’s hard for me to let go but recently I’ve moved several times so I purged a ton! A pro can come in and really make things go smoothly when organizing your memories and supplies.
HKPS::Please describe how creative cycles of organization or dis-organization affect your creative process?
JR::Remember that procrastination thing? Yeah, it’s tough when there is a pile of papers, or a bunch of sand on the floor. I will clean that up before finishing the work I really need to get finished. This is probably why I love baskets so much! Easy!
HKPS::Do you give much thought to your artistic body of work in terms of historic value and the overall artistic legacy you will leave behind? How do you store/archive your work or records? If not why?
JR::I enjoy recording history every single day! I think this is why the camera is my passion…the ability to capture emotion that is frozen for generations to see is amazing. Remember that photo of your first child? Or the picture of your favorite Grandparent that isn’t around anymore? Or how about your very first trip to the ocean with the entire family? I get to record so many special memories for people. I keep the digital files in folders on my computer, backed up to a cloud and on my website. But there is still nothing better than holding the photograph, printed on fabulous paper, in your hand…or framed hanging on the wall so when you see it you smile every time you pass by. The photo I have on canvas is from sunset on Kiawah Island and hangs in my bathroom so I have peaceful thoughts every morning when I brush my teeth! (oh, and that super cute Station 19 towel is from my Fiancé – he proposed to me there!)
Thank you so much Jeni for inviting us into your studio, providing us with these sparkling photo’s and explaining the way that organizing affects you as a working artist. Please check out her website for more information on her services and portfolio of work! I’ll be back with another artist ‘Inside the Studio‘ feature next month! If you missed any of my previous Inside the Studio posts 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!