Little Inspirations

Remember when I asked about where you “art”? That was back before we made our move from White Oak to Green Street, back before I had a real art studio to call my own. In that post, written back in February, I referenced an Artsy article by Ingrid Christensen on setting up a home studio.

One suggestion she gave was to paint the walls in a color that would guide and enhance the art created there, as she put it. Warm colors might lead to warmer palettes; cool walls can inspire cool ones.

In my new studio, I opted for white walls. White is bright, white is clean, and white is versatile. I find it far more inspiring than any color — warm or cool — if only because it allows for more freedom. I can pair anything with a white wall, and it’s going to look good.

But wall color isn’t the only source of inspiration for a home studio, and I’m having fun finding little inspirations that make my time here in my art studio even more pleasant and enjoyable.

I bought a candle — I know, I know, fire is a danger in an art studio, but it’s sitting here on my desk, far from any combustible materials. I watch it closely, and I never leave it unattended. My candle is, appropriately, a dark green color — which goes nicely with all my stark white walls, of course. It’s scented. Alpine Forest. Oh, it’s lovely. Fresh. Invigorating. Inspiring.

I also have lots of other little pretties on my shelves. A sparkly little box for trinkets, a little eraser shaped like a bunny, a note pad with a polka-dot design. I have sticks of incense, another decorated little box, and lots of paintings I like. I have them here and there on the shelves in no particular order or arrangement. It’s nice to look at them, to remember painting them, to have them close at hand where I can enjoy them each time I see them.

On the walls I have a good-sized bulletin board. As my husband continues working on the studio, he’ll eventually put in a cork panel that covers most of one wall. Until that happens, just having a bulletin board is handy. I keep a monthly calendar there, marked with dates for art club meetings, drop-off and pick-up dates for various display sites. It once had dates for upcoming art shows, as well. Sadly, all our club shows have been cancelled this year.

The bulletin board is great for pinning up reference photos, but it’s also an ideal place for other little inspirations. When I find a quote I like, I cut it out and pin it up, like this one:

My studio is a place I enjoy being, and that’s a good thing because I spend a lot of time here. Of course, one of the reasons why I spend so much time in my studio is because it’s a place where I can enjoy being. It’s a place that allows me to bring my imagination with me. Quite simply, it’s a place where I can always find inspiration.

I have music here, too, if I choose to listen to it. I keep a little stash of peanut-butter cups hidden away, so I think I have all the sensory bases covered — sights, sounds, smells, taste, and touch.

When we first moved and I set up the studio, I wasn’t at all sure about what to put where, and once set up, I was hesitant to use my art space! We’ve had to make a few adjustments, and bit by bit, I’ve added those precious little inspirations that make my studio uniquely my own, a place with my favorite little things, a place where I can look around and love everything I see.

I guess what I’m saying is my studio is a reflection of me. It’s not just where I am but who I am, and maybe that’s what makes it so inspiring.

What little inspirations do you have in your art space?