You can learn a lot about an artist just by looking at their creative workspace. You’ll see everything from their preferred tools to the ambience that helps them get into a creative mindset. Artists from the Threadless Artist Shops Community recently gave us a glimpse into their own personal workspaces and discussed some of the items that are essential to their creative process.
Each workspace you’ll see is wildly different from the last. Some artists create from their own tech command centers at home, while others prefer to work from their laptop in their backyard—or even in their car! While reading this post, think of ways you can rearrange your own workspace to foster your creativity.
Courtney KM (Cohoes, NY)
About Their Creative Workspace
“My workspace is a small room off of the living area of my apartment. It’s the perfect size for my needs and I spend about 90% of my time here. My artwork is heavily influenced by color and I think my space reflects that—nearly everything is organized by color in some way! I don’t ever seem to lack inspiration in this cozy workspace.”
What They Like About It
“It’s a small space, which I initially did not love. But I realized quickly that the size allowed for more convenience. Basically anything I would need to create is an arm-length away. It also allowed me to get innovative with the layout and decor!”
A Lifesaver They Always Keep Close By
“Definitely the marker cubbies on my desk. Markers and pens are my main medium, and for years I had them squirreled away in drawers, so I never remembered what colors I had. Now they are fully on display and within arm’s reach. I would also say the small window next to my desk! There is nothing quite like natural light and fresh air to get the creative juices flowing.”
Chet Zar (Los Angeles, CA)
About Their Creative Workspace
“My art studio is a spare bedroom in my house, and it is jam-packed with all of my favorite and inspiring objects. It’s not as large as I would like, but I manage to make it work.”
What They Like About It
“It’s cozy. I feel like when I paint, I am sitting in the cockpit of a spaceship. Everything I need is within arm’s reach.”
A Lifesaver They Always Keep Close By
“I have an iPad I use for reference that is attached to my easel. My Parallel Pallet (now out of production) is also super useful.”
Stacy Mood, 3D Artist (Ukraine)
About Their Creative Workspace
“All I need to create my artworks is a computer and some inspiration. Computer is always with me. My lovely dog, wonderful nature, and a cup of nice tea give me that kind of inspiration I need. The perfect place where I can combine all these things is my backyard.”
What They Like About It
“In my setup, I love the beautiful view that surrounds me. Of course, the backyard is not the only place where I create my art. I also have an ordinary workplace. But when the weather is nice, a lawn is a place where excellent ideas come to my head.”
A Lifesaver They Always Keep Close By
“The sun! When the sun comes from the clouds and I can feel its warmth, this is a lifesaver moment. In such times, I realize how lucky I am to have an opportunity to create my characters in this wonderful place.”
Mitch O’Connell (Chicago, IL)
About Their Creative Workspace
“My studio starts with an early 1900s drafting table that I’ve had since my teens. It was a gift from an art director at one of my dadʼs ad agencies in the 1970s. I love religious imagery, so 100s of sacred heart Jesus statues, paintings, and wall hangings stare at me as I work.
Going from there, other inspirational themes of items Iʼve collected over the years include stuffed plush carnival prizes, clown figurines, and art in the adjoining computer room, and all my archives, art, books, and endless weird, wild, and wacky flea market finds that fill up the finished basement. Iʼve even gotten all crafty with pretty much every uncovered surface including walls, door, and ceilings, turning it into an art environment.”
What They Like About It
“It’s another creative outlet. I can flex my home decorating (hoarding) skills.”
A Lifesaver They Always Keep Close By
“Tracing paper.”
Mary Fons, Quilt Nerd (Chicago, IL)
About Their Creative Workspace
“My creative workspace is a haven of books and a tech command center. The tools I use to make my art might look a little different than other Threadless artists, but when you create art and media that celebrates quilt history and culture, books and screens become your paint and canvas.”
What They Like About It
“I love my red-lacquered librarian book carts. They’re on wheels, just like me: I like to fling myself around the room in my office chair because it feels like I’m in a roller rink. I’m grateful for the high ceiling and the big windows. Spending 10-12 hours each day creating content about art, women’s history, and material culture is a dream job—but I still need to look out at the birds that fly around the top of the church down the street. I’m able to do that here.
The place I come to every day inspires me as I work to create a community of people who care about and proclaim to the world—through their Quilt Nerd merch, of course—that the story of quilts in America and beyond is the story of humanity itself. I designed stickers in this space and they turned out great! So yeah, I love it here.”
A Lifesaver They Always Keep Close By
“My second computer monitor. Not a very sexy answer, but I couldn’t do my Twitch livestream without it.”
Tash Chapman (Florida)
About Their Creative Workspace
“My art is inspired by the ocean and surf culture. Most of the time I work in the backseat of my truck, parked up at the beach. Iʼve had regular workspaces before, but none of them have felt as right. Hearing the waves and feeling the ocean breezes makes the creativity flow.”
What They Like About It
“The feeling you get when youʼre surrounded by nature is so good. I draw what I draw to share that feeling and the ideas come so much easier when Iʼm out where I love.”
A Lifesaver They Always Keep Close By
“I like to keep things simple. My setup includes a sketchbook and an iPad. Being able to go right from the sketch to the digital drawing is great, and a backup battery keeps things rolling.”
Shawnimals (Chicago, IL)
About Their Creative Workspace
“It’s more of an analog studio most of the time for paintings and drawings. I love the space! I even made a murphy table so I can put the table up when I need more room. Also used an unused doorway for shelving for my paints. Lots of supplies, lots of working surface and walls. Little sound system. It feels correct.”
What They Like About It
“Space to explore mediums and ideas, and other creative folks with whom to share. Everything I need is there, including a recliner.”
A Lifesaver They Always Keep Close By
“Lots of different kinds of brushes, pencils, markers, paints, inks, and paper and canvas. That’s all I really need. Ha!”
Tamara Lance (Travelers Rest, SC)
About Their Creative Workspace
“I live in a tiny home of 399 square feet in a tiny house village in the foothills of South Carolina. I do a lot of my work on the iPad Pro with Procreate and I also have a small desk space to work on the desktop computer.”
What They Like About It
“Living in a tiny home means that I am forced to focus on the things that I am passionate about…like making art!”
Pingolito (San Luis Potosí, Mexico)
About Their Creative Workspace
“My workspace at home is a small hallway originally designed for a TV room, but I adapted the place to serve as my little studio. As a huge fan of Batman, I call my workspace ‘The Batcave’ where I love working surrounded by my toy collection (mostly from the Batman animated figures and legos), art from my favorite shows and illustrators, as well as animation art books, comics, and some light ambience for it to look techy.”
What They Like About It
“I love that it’s cozy and everything I need is close to me, from my art books, art supplies, sketchbooks, and comics to my figure collection, giving me the creative energy to work on a daily basis.”
A Lifesaver They Always Keep Close By
“My diverse art book collection is a great source of inspiration. Whenever I feel lost, I grab a random book from the shelves. They always give me ideas to solve any creative block.”
TheWestwood (Digital Nomad)
About Their Creative Workspace
“As a digital nomad that travels full time, I do my designing in random cafes and beaches around the world.”
What They Like About It
“The freedom to work wherever I want. If the WIFI is bad, just find a new spot!”
A Lifesaver They Always Keep Close By
“Caffeine.”
Thanks to all of the artists from the Threadless Artist Shops Community who let us peek into their workspaces and learn more about their creative process. Come back to Creative Resources for Part 2 of this post. There are many other unique workspaces you have to see!
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