velvet on the page: work spaces

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My humble jumble of a studio is cozy, rather messy and very busy, which is appropriate since many of my friends would describe ME exactly that way, so I feel very at home there.

It is quite a step up from my former headquarters in our unheated garage- brrrr.....

image from ergonomics news

....although Mark Rothko painted in his garage so I guess I shouldn't have complained.

Mark Rothko in his Long Island studio (image from parrishart.org)

I see blogs that showcase beautiful home offices and look longingly at them, but do people really work in there? They must be awfully neat. I just don't think I could keep up the appearance. I would go to a fabulous junky estate sale or find a big stash of dirty barn wood and that would be the end of the elegant organization until I found a way to fit it all in. Still, aren't they beautiful....

Sewing studio by Tofu Studios

......and elegantly minimal and industrial?

vintage industrial workplace by mod nest on etsy blog

I work in many different medias with a large array of materials and tools, so I need lots of storage and organization, as well as a place that feeds my creativity.

My space is not elegant (note the plastic bins) but it does work pretty well. My beat up second hand office desk we got free is not beautiful but works beautifully as art desk with handy storage complete with drawers for stationary supplies, files, tools, jewelry findings, sewing supplies and paint. Various bookshelves (non-matching) do the rest. Add in a stereo, internet hookup and a tv with TCM showing old movies and this messy artist is happy!