Studio Tour: Get Organized to Get Inspired
Hello Wonderful, Creative You:
I’m so excited to share my studio tour with you today! Creating a space for your art making is one of the single most important creative self-care habits I teach students at Mindful Art Studio. Even if you think you have no space at all, you can still CREATE some space. You can learn more about creating a small art studio at homeĀ in this post.
I’ve got a wonderful Studio Clear Out Challenge May 15 – 19th and it’s free! You can join us here:
AĀ studio space should also beĀ ORGANIZED and INSPIRING. As part of my own creative self-care, I recently cleared out some supplies I wasn’t using, moved things around, and bought paint shelves. I can’t wait to show it to you in this studio tour video. Ā AAAAAND… if you look sharp, you might see a few sneak peeks of the new class I’m planning. I can’t share anything yet, but stay tuned.Ā If you’d like to see the classes I’m currently offering, click here.
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Studio Tour – How to create an organized,Ā inspiringĀ art studio:
- Display your own art; it will encourage you to keep going.
- ShowcaseĀ natural materials for inspiration.Ā I keep shells, dried seeds, and stones on my table.
- Keep an open, inviting tableĀ space so that you can get right to work.
- Leave art out that is in process to tempt you to add to it.
- PURGE! When drawers, containers or shelves are over-full, it’s time to purge! If you haven’t used it, you probably won’t. Clear your drawer to make space for inspiration.
- Use jars to organize groups of supplies like pens, brushes, oil pastels, and markers.
- KeepĀ small, pretty boxes full of collageĀ bits forĀ journals.
- Hang shelves for supplies near your work area to keep frequently used supplies, like paint, gesso, and gel medium, at arm’s reach.
- Make an inspiration cork board with pretty postcards and inspiring pictures.
- Keep art books nearby on a bookshelf to see inspiring ideas and pictures.
- MaintainĀ multiple journals at once to keep from feeling tight or stale. You can give them different purposes, like sketching, collage, painting, and brainstorming ideas, or just mix it up in them all at once.
Want more ideas on how to organize and create your own art studio at home? I’ll lead you through all the ideas on organizing, paring down, and you’ll look at other artists’ studios – from a bedroom studio to a converted barn. You are going to be inspired and spurred to create your own space.
What are the must have’s in your art studio? Any great tips I’ve missed? And what’s on your art supply wish list? Tell us about it in the comments!
Creatively Yours,
Amy
* Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you choose to click and purchase something, at no extra cost to you, you’ll be supporting the work of Mindful Art Studio to empower the artist in all of us. Thank you!
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What a great space! Thank you for sharing. Love your paint shelves. You have inspired me so I am off to rearrange my space, love the idea of an easy chair in the corner to be inspired in. Have a great day!
Hi Jennie:
oh I’m tickled that you connected with some the ideas here! I hope you post your progress in our FB group or on Instagram using #mindfulartstudio so I can see!
Happy rearranging!
Amy
Wow, Amy, beautiful studio space! I love the bureau, chest, and antique piece that serve as storage. I hope the new year offers you much inspiration. Thanks for the tour.
Hi Lauren!
Thanks so much!This is one of the biggest studio spaces I’ve had, but no matter what, if things get cluttered, the space doesn’t feel as good. I definitely want to take it much further, and that’s part of the fun. Having had many “bedroom studios” where I had to set up and break down most of the stuff, it’s really nice.
I hope YOU find much creative light in 2017 and thanks for watching!
Amy
Wow, that’s a beautiful studio! You are surrounded by so much beauty! I love your stamps and the natural materials. The shelves look neat, too.
After reading some of your postings i felt inspired to create my own tiny art space. It’s small but i love it. And it works! Each morning – art before breakfast – i sit there and create something š
Hi Anja:
Oh that sounds so great! I would love to see your little space! You are on Instagram, right? Will you tag @amymaricle and #mindfulartstudio so I can see?
Cheers,
Amy
I love it, Amy! This was a delightful studio tour! Thanks so much for sharing!
Blessings,
Briana
You are so sweet, Briana, thank you for watching!
Cheers,
Amy
Thanks for the tour! I’ve been wanting to reorganize my studio for the new year, and this gave me some ideas for moving things around so I can create more freely.
Oh, Emily, I love the sound of that! Thank you so much for watching and taking the time to comment.
Creatively Yours,
Amy
Thanks for sharing your studio tour; it was full of helpful ideas.
In looking for storage solutions in my own studio, I’ve learned to boil the question down to it’s simplest form. For instance, I needed a better working palette for my painting dyes. I went through a number of palettes from art stores, but they weren’t working quite right. I finally boiled it down toā”I need an easy to clean plate with lots of shallow holes, and a larger mixing space, but I also need containers to hold larger amounts of dye”. The solution? A deviled egg plate from the thrift store and tea light glass cups from IKEA.
Sometimes the best solution is the cheapest one!
HI Gina!
This is a great formula to offer others! Very logical. I’m into logical. Thanks so much for sharing it here!
XO Amy
Thanks I am really happy to have come across this blog. I keep putting it off but you have really inspired me. Claire
Claire: Are you thinking about putting together your own studio space? Or reorganizing the one you have? I would love to hear about it!
XO Amy
Hello Amy
I am setting up my art space/guest bedroom and I am trying to decide between a glass drafting table and a flat type art desk.
I do some oil painting (I have easels), draw, make cards, etc, but don’t have a flat table (sewing?)
Question, which would be the better choice- glass drafting table or a flat type art desk. I would like you opinion.
Thank you
Rayleen
HI Rayleen!
how fun that you are setting up your studio space. Congrats! Of course I can’t know your personality and what would work for you – but I can tell you what I prefer. I have an easel for painting and a flat table for my other work. A drafting table of course goes flat but I don’t know if it would support your sewing machine. The other thing to consider is chair height and whether you’d be more comfortable at the taller seat at a drafting table. I don’t have one so it’s hard for me to advise on that, but I love having sturdy, flat tables! Good luck!
XO Amy
Great ideas Amy! Thanks for sharing them with us all! I am inspired to clean out my studio and paint! It is too easy to put it off when it is cluttered!
Oh I so agree, Karen! Clutter is totally anti-motivating for me. Happy creating! XO Amy
Thank you for sharing your art studio…so many ideas I was almost overwhelmed (lol)…the dresser, the antique wardrobe, bookcase, I totally love….but, the very best was the table – I absolutely love all the little paint drops on it -which btw – gives it so much character without even trying or meaning to….and so, it helped me because I have been trying to decide where to start with my space/art studio – I thought about purchasing a drafting table, which can be a bit expensive for an up and coming artist – so I decided to look around in my neighborhood Thrift Stores and believe it or not I saw a table just like yours – but I actually passed on it because I thought about getting paint and other chemicals on it and well….so now I plan to go back and if it is still there – I will purchase it…seeing your studio has inspired me and I am getting excited about getting and putting things in some type of order.
Oh this is so amazing to read! I’m so happy I could help you open up some ideas! xo Can’t wait to hear how it turns out! xo
Amy, I love your articles. Best advice and ideas I’ve read in a long time. Everyone needs to find their creativity and make a space. Not everyone’s space’s are going to be expensive and Grand like in the magazines and such. But to me the best spaces are there ones that are mismatched, organized and you can tell that person has put their heart into it. I don’t want my space to be done by a designer. It’s mine, I want to design it. Your advice, video and article is wonderful to get anyone inspired to make their own art area. Beautiful done.
Thank you.
Hey Betsy:
Thanks so much for this heartfelt response. It made my day to read it this morning. I’m so happy that my words spoke to you. What’s your art space like right now?
Also, if you haven’t already, you might want to check out some of my free classes. I’ve got one on Creativity and Self-Care you might love. XO
Love your space, I need to clear some space from my studio room. I have 2 tables and a long counter top with way to much clutter on them.
I love your giggle laugh, it made me giggleš
Hey Gina: Welcome! I’m so glad you enjoyed seeing the studio and my giggle! š If you haven’t already, you can check out one of my free classes here: https://mindfulartstudio.com/shop/free-classes/
Thank you, Amy, for sharing your space. I LOVE your materials, chest, wardrobe! I need to clear out my table and make it more inviting! Thank you for all inspirations!
~ Namrata
Namrata – I’m so happy I could inspire! Happy creating!
Love!!! Your studio set up Amy! Can you tell me what kind of crayons you have on your desk? I cant seem to find the right texture and vibrancy to use in my journals.
HI Mary Jo – I’m so happy you found this helpful! I love the Neocolor water soluble crayons.
You can find the rest of my favorite supplies here!
Cheers!
Thank you for sharing your studio video. I just repurposed a room in my basement as my studio and I am beyond excited d about it!! Itās a space where I can just be me. Itās not designer-y at all but functions just the way I want it to! I can tell you are a working artist w the paint splotches and drawers full w all your ānecessitiesā! Wishing you many years of wonderful creativity!
Hi Mary Jane: Thanks so much for being here! I love that you have taken over some space of your own. How exciting! If you are looking for any more inspiration on organization and ways to approach a studio space – large or small – you might enjoy having a peek at my Studio Space class. It’s full of ideas on organization, storage, lighting – everything. And my favorite part is the Studio Inspiration section – you’ll look into the studios of artists who work in their bedroom, a room like yours, and a converted barn. It’s inspiring. Happy creating Mary Jane!
Join our Studio Clear Out Challenge May 15 – 19th 2023. It’s a free and fun challenge to get you creating space in your studio! You can join here: https://mindfulartstudio.com/clear-out-2023