Art by Justine Taylor
Happy Canada Day!
Morning Art Sessions
Sometimes in icy cold mornings, when we stay in our p.j.’s and Baby L naps nicely, Little M and I pull out the pencil crayons. (Side note: it makes me proud when I ask what he wants to draw with and he says he wants white paper and pencil crayons…)
I usually end up taking requests as to what to draw (and usually end up sketching basketballs, triangles, and Buzz Lightyear). But one morning he was content to work on his own, and I was free to create whatever I liked.
I’ve been working on a gallery wall in the master bedroom and there was one larger area to fill. I needed a gap filler for the spot. I wanted to make something colourful and a bit more fun to juxtapose against some of the other art nearby.
I decided to do a geometric, deconstructed zig-zag look (inspired by this AMAZING Etsy artist, whose art I still want to purchase). I felt like I was in grade 3 art class again. It’s very relaxing to have no rules sometimes when you draw.
And I love the way its modern, playful vibe plays against the vintage portrait of the Royals I bought on UsdRegina a while back. Pretty good for a gap-filler.
Bits & Pieces for the studio
I was doodling a floorplan for an art studio (based on a 12’x16’ pine cabin layout) and I started to think about the particular pieces I’d want/need for such a space. As much as possible I’d reclaim second hand and old pieces, rather than buying new, but here’s an idea of what I’d want…
1. DOOR(S) WITH CHARACTER
An antique door? Dutch door? French doors? Whatever - I want my doors to look cool, be colourful (or black), and have windows!
I have no idea why I’d need a Dutch door, other than it’s freaking awesome.
Coloured doors! I don’t know if I’d go with red. Maybe. Maybe not.
2. LANTERN-ISH LIGHTS
Both a large hanging lantern (like the one above) and some sconces would be great in a little art “cabin”
How about this great lantern?
Or this one:
And I like this sconce:
Or this one:
And for task lighting, some great, adjustable pharmacy lamps:
3. GREAT BIG WORK SURFACES…
…like an old-looking drafting table, and…
….a giant workbench, like this table from Restoration Hardware.
4. STORAGE, STORAGE, STORAGE
like some cabinets with wide, shallow drawers for holding paper, pencils, etc.
and some pieces with small drawers (like some of these old library card files) or cupboards for notions, knick-knacks, and fabrics, aaand…
and lots of shelves. I like this portable one - it would be great for drying pottery then taking it over to the kiln.
5. INSPIRATION WALL
Whether it’s a bulletin board, chalk board, clip board… whatever. A place to organize ideas, pin up beautiful things, etc. would be great!
like a pace to organize quilt patches
or pretty prints and pictures, or organize a storyboard
put up pretty objects or glaze samples
put up magazine clippings, create colour schemes, display lists or calendars, etc.
6. A REALLY RAD COLLECTION OF APOTHECARY JARS TO HOLD SUPPLIES.
Paint brushes, ribbon, pencils, crayons, buttons, spools of thread, etc…. it would all look a little prettier grouped and placed in a jar!
7. A SINK!
How nice to have a sink that I don’t have to worry about being all clay-caked and paint-spattered!
The bigger the better. These ones are pretty:
But this is a little more realistic:
Hmmm… any necessities that I might be missing?
Illustration Inspiration II
Now you’ve seen some art spaces for famous illustrators, but here are some more pictures from my inspiration files of spaces to draw and paint:
Windows!!!
There’s something about a bright white space…
I’m not one to use an easel, but I like this paint-splattered place.
You know that episode of The Office when Dwight plays the virtual game “Second Life”? If I had a “second life” I’d live in a warehouse loft apartment in Chicago and have a sweet art studio there. And it would look sort of like this. Or like Lotta Jansdotter’s Brooklyn abode (which I’ll show you in a future post.)
White!!!
Love this desk!
Illustration Inspiration
Continuing on my theme regarding a home art studio, I thought I’d share some great spaces from a few great illustrators. Being a children’s book illustrator would probably be my ideal artistic career, so it’s neat to see how others work in this field.
This is the studio of Theodor Geisel (AKA Dr. Seuss). I like the big open boxes of pencils, pastels, crayons, etc at the end of the table. Also, I love the open wall to pin up artwork. Would be great for organizing storyboards.
Eric Carle (of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”) in his studio. I appreciate the contrast of messiness and organization - I can relate. I also like that he wears a lab coat. :)
These shots are from Mo Willem’s studio (You know, the Pigeon guy). He says he likes the space so much he feels like he’s waiting for someone to kick him out of there ‘cuz it’s too nice.
And here’s a shot from his home; a room covered in chalkboard walls. (He’s a big supporter of doodling, and I guess this is one good way to encourage it!):
How much do I looooove Lane Smith’s (known for his work with John Scieszka) studio space in the country? *sigh* I especially adore that huge-mongous table. And the big windows. And the rafters. And the loftiness. And the antique-y lights. You get the point.
The creative space of Pauline Baynes. When I look out that window I almost expect a talking beaver or a fawn to come out from behind a bush…
Roald Dahl (That crazy guy behind books like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, or my favourite, Matilda) at work in his writing shed. Interesting that he likes to work on a board on his lap.
And another point for the messy artists, here’s Ezra Jack Keats in his studio. (Though I can’t imagine his books being created in a sleek, clean space.)
Do you have any photos of spaces where great minds create?
