Workspace, complete with trash can, that will never make the magazines.
The artist’s desk is always neat and tidy, the room filled with sunlight. The first time I saw an article about an artist’s studio, I wondered how long she had been cleaning before the photography crew showed up. In the article, she said she liked to work in a clean space, and actually, she hadn’t cleaned more than usual and the photographers were respectful of keeping her place like it was. It was a fiction fantasy for me.
Not my life at all. But then again, no one has asked to come photograph my studio. Lucky for me, because it’s not getting neater anytime soon.
There are now at least three magazines that are dedicated to artist’s studios. I don’t get the point, but I’m not a good consumer anyway. My storage is more recycled and re-purposed than matching and coordinated. I know where things are. These shots just show the art desk. It doesn’t show the business desk, computer, bookcases. This is messy enough. But it’s mine and I’m happy to be in it.
Not getting neater any time soon.
–Quinn McDonald is a writer and artist. She is also a life- and creativity coach who will never have a tidy desk or matching storage units. She’s OK with that, and respects your right to have matching gingham computer and printer cosies.
Wow, Quinn. Looks like everyone wants to be the one with the messiest desk. Competitive messies crawling out from under their desks, and coming out of their studios!
I’m squelching an urge to do a magazine article on the “real” artist studio!
I’m squelching an urge to do a magazine article on the “real” artist studio!
wow,now we’ll all have to post photos of our spaces and that will be harsh! mine is small and soooo cluttered. it doesn’t help that I have a small “partner” desk with my neat-nik husband.
There are no neat-niks. Only people who haven’t discovered the joy of piling up stuff.
Oh sweetie,
You think this is messy?? You have NO idea, my dear friend, what messy TRULY is… this artist’s space just looks well used. If I ever get brave enough I’ll take a photo of MY office and you will see messy on STEROIDS … not that this is a competition or anything (-:
But I’m so glad that you are standing up and being proud of the way that YOU are as an artist. It’s inspiring to see into the intimate world of someone else’s creative art space.
My studio is considerably messier then yours with cans of ink, a printing press, zinic plates, and paper. Oh then there are those half finished projects and the ones that our finish leaning against the walls.
You win. I don’t have a printing press in the room. I don’t think the room is big enough.
wow, I think your studio is very tidy and well organized! Everything seems to have a place of it’s own.
My livingroom often looks like your studio.
I did a pretty tight shot, so you don’t see the other desk, which is also covered in papers. But that’s the business desk, which doesn’t count!
But wait–I think you tidied your studio desk for that shot. Looks quite orderly to me. And where’s the chocolate stash? And the big glass of iced tea that you have to worry about knocking over? And that pile of papers you just have to go through as soon as you get a few spare days?
I am happy to see that REAL artists/writers do not have immaculate studios, nor do they have to pretend they have them. And p.s. — I HATE those perfect studio mags.
Ah, Bo, I had to laugh. I moved the chocolate from the desk. The only drinks I allow myself are in screw-top bottles. I’ve knocked over my share in my day. In all fairness, there’s a whole other desk with the computer and papers! When I see the “perfect” studios, I’m never jealous or even curious.
your desk is more “neat” than mine! i have a sign up in my studio that reads:
neat people never make the exciting kinds of discoveries that i do!
with about 2400 sq. ft of space, 7 looms, yarns, cut table, sewing machines, knitting machines, spinning wheels and both yardage and scraps…well, the universe is supposed to be moving towards entropy and i am doing my part to help.