I finally did it! I filmed a detailed tour of my studio, taking a deep dive into all of the drawers to show you how things are currently organized. I use the word organized a bit loosely since the drawers are a bit of a mess at the moment. I use the word currently because I’m already working on sorting and streamlining things.
This studio tour video is 2 1/2 years after a move followed by extensive renovations to the house. (You can read about our renovations HERE.) I’ve needed the space to function, but organizing each drawer hasn’t been a priority. I just put things away and decided I would deal with it all when I was ready. I’ve also learned that time gives me a better perspective of how I’ll use the space and even what I will use. If a drawer hasn’t been opened in two years, maybe I don’t need the contents or, at the very least, they can be stored in a bin in the basement until I do want to use them. I don’t want to take a minimalist approach to my art supplies!
I just wanted to give you a context for the tour for those who might be traumatized by disorganized drawers. (According to a YouTube comment, it’s shocking and disappointing, so you’d better hold onto your hats.)
So, I don’t think anything here is truly shocking and disappointing. Messy and ready for a sorting? Yes. In my experience, it’s quite a normal level of organization for an artist, collector, and someone who creates for a profession. There’s a bit of a chaotic method that somehow works. Well, until it doesn’t and we’re approaching that point. Before it gets entirely out of control I’m working through one drawer at a time in the hopes of consolidating things, reducing the clutter, and relocating things I want to keep but rarely use to the basement.
The problem (and perhaps the gift) of many who pursue creative endeavors is we see potential in almost everything. That little bit of paper? I could use that! Those markers I haven’t used once? Well, maybe I’ll find the perfect time down the road! Ribbon rolls and ink bottles can feel like treasures, little friends who have been a part of your journey and may yet still have a part to play. It’s silly, yes, but it’s also hopeful. It’s an optimism that everything will eventually have a purpose. There are times when I’ve purged my creative stashes with cold hard cynicism and realistic eye. The hopeful artist in me always regrets when I do that. Inevitably, my curiosity is stoked again and I’m sad that I got rid of something I want to experiment with.
In this organizing process, I need to balance the hopefulness with reality. Make space for more creative work instead of stuff that might feel useful to me but actually isn’t. I know it won’t be a perfect process, but it will be an improvement on the current state.
As I did when I organized the Minnesota house a few years ago, I’ll share my progress and process. I’ll also film a new studio tour when it’s all done.
You can find a list of my 300+ art books as well as some of my favorite studio supplies HERE.
28 Responses
Well, this is just the farthest thing from “traumatizing, shocking and disappointing” and just looks like a typical fairly well organized art studio to me! Thanks for the tour. It would be fun to be sorting and organizing in that space! It just needs a little tweaking. It’s nice that you have found pieces of real furniture that hold all the different items and keep them out of sight. I remember well all the squeaky drawers in my mom’s old studio. While each drawer “could” be fine tuned, they don’t have to be. What matters is that YOU know where everything is and that is all. Looks like a lot of inspirational possibilities in that room for sure!
Not a bit of a shock to me, and I do so envy you the drawer space you have. A studio that is a little cluttered is a sign that inspiration has been visiting. Seems you have things pretty well organized, considering all the different rabbit holes you have investigated.(smile) Seems that once the creative gene gets started, we need to try it all, one at a time. It’s a whole different world, and isn’t it fun! My studio is the oversized garage under our house, which is very nice except for that my sewing machine and fabrics are also there, which makes things really tight. Thanks for the tour, I love visiting different artist’s studios….Gives me ideas for my own.
Honestly, I wish my craft room was half as organized as yours. If the youtuber would see mine, I would, without a doubt, put her/him in the hospital.
Marian, your studio is such an inspiration! I noticed the cards that you said you include with painting you sell. Do you sell the cards? They’re lovely, and I am a stationery lover.
Thank you.
You’re interested in one of my cards or do you want to know where to order something similar? If you just want one of my cards, I’m happy to pop it in the mail. 🙂 Just e-mail me your address – marian@missmustardseed.com
Wheee, that was so fun! Like a treasure hunt with kitties. Thanks for sharing and making me feel like my creative space drawers are perfectly normal. You never know when you will need little strips of ribbon or paper ephemera!
Nice. I love all of the storage that you have.
What is the size of your room?
300 art books? I can’t imagine that you can even find the reference you might seek in one of the books when there are so many. Not judging but I guess you just like collecting them. I have reached the age when I feel I must stop collecting because nobody wants my stuff when I’m gone, or even to have to sort through all of it! You will get there someday too. In the meantime, you might as well make that library room you used to talk about.
Yes, I think I’ve passed that number now! I love books and view them as my continuing education. Instead of going back to school for a degree in fine art or design, I’m reading! I have them organized and I know them pretty well, so I pull them frequently and add ones I want to study or revisit further to the stack.
Oh Marian, how I love your studio, and I’m not an artist!! You seem to be so organized for someone who is as active and productive as you, so I cannot imagine what the YouTube complainer was thinking. If a working space is pristine then it seems that no work is being done there! You are such an inspiration to many of us with your energy and creative talents. I love reading about all your projects inside the house and outside. If I was a younger woman, I’d be copying some of your wonderful projects! I’m in my 80s, but still love getting new ideas for home and garden! I thoroughly enjoyed your studio tour!
I didn’t see anything shocking or disappointing! You are the most organized, talented, industrious chick I’ve ever seen. (and I’ve been around a long time.) Your home is beautiful, neat and tidy.
I’m so envious of all those drawers! I have shelves of boxes in my supply closet but drawers allow you to hide all those extra things!
I love the inspiration from your post so I can redo my guest room closet.
Absolutely loved the video tour. This seems like more of a painter’s studio than your Minnesota house. But I loved that one too. Especially after you painted the floor.
The best way to think up a use for something is to declutter it. You’ll definitely think of a project it would be perfect for…but by then it’s too late! Being a minimalist doesn’t mesh well with art supplies.
Well Marian, I think your studio is shockingly WELL ORGANIZED. You have everything labled and all is grouped together beautifully. ( I have a bag addiction too……)
All I can say is “haters are going to hate “.
As my friend says “Be a fountain⛲️, not a drain”
Where do I begin? What drawer mess? Maybe 2. The joy of seeing a fellow artist that accumulates many supplies of the same things like me is blissful. I have the same style of grouping materials. The variety of supplies! The books! I buy books too to learn instead of spending $ at an art college and some of them you reccomended.
My paint brushes are in bone china creamer vases , pens and markers in mason jars. Most of my supplies are in clear drawers so I can see them.
I’m an artist and a crafter so my art studio has many different kinds of materials. Is also the only sunny room in the house so I grow beautiful plants too. Is smaller than your studio but I’m very good at designing spaces.
I took our old farm dining table that sit 6 and removed the legs and bought two 9 cubicle unit and built a high crafter table. Is easier on my back and that way I don’t need several tables. I was going to reccomend you to do that or have someone built you a high “island” with tons of drawer that face out in order to have storage. You are blessed with beautiful space; is like an artist Disney World!
I have a drawer problem, throw things in and maybe do not open for a long long time. I have to say though, the fun part is opening the drawer and looking at all the treaures or junk that is in there!
Love the tour. Oh, please keep the cat tree in the sunny window. Esme, looked like she would like a closer look in the drawers-too cute. Not an artist, but sure like all the books.
Marion, I love your transparency and your humor. Including the “shocking and disturbing” comment made me laugh out loud and has endeared you to me forever. Keep inspiring myself and everyone else. You are a gem.
Your studio is wonderful and full of inspiration! As always I am inspired by your post. Can’t wait to tackle some drawers and do some reorganizing of my own. I’ve followed from nearly the beginning and love the ever- changing journey and inspiration. Thank you. We love you.
Ah, that comment reminds me of one of my helping ladies who cleaned my house. She said it was so dirty that it made her happy to clean it. One would think it was a pig stable, but in reality, it was a rather clean house, considering all the kids living in it with me. I love your studio and organized in a way you can find your stuff. Your cats are involved. You are a multi-talented lady which is mirrored in your work space. Thanks for the tour.
You encapsulated my feelings toward my “treasures” exactly! I can use that tiny piece of lace, paper, beads etc. So trying to divest myself of my treasures (and to make it worse some of my friends know I love certain things and are giving me more!!) It’s all so beautiful to me.
As Albert Einstein once said, “If a cluttered desk (room) is a sign of a cluttered mind, Of what, then, is a an empty desk a sign?” Also…to the YouTuber commenter….Einstein, Twain, Edison and Steve Jobs ALL had messy desks and rooms. I love your room….I get it.
I love that! It’s going into my notebook today.
I had studio envy in your last house and even more so now!
I loved the tour of your art studio. Thank you so much for being so thorough. My only concern is that something like this encourages over spending. we live in a world of over consumerism, which means that people are spending beyond their means or filling landfills with the things they end up not using. I am sorry to be a Debbie downer, but the amount of money you spend on art supplies and household/garden items can actually be a problematic for most people budgets and is harming our planet in an irreversible way.. I am so sorry if this seems too negative, but I really felt the need to be honest here.
No, I think that’s a good thing to point out. I do think it’s important to remember this is my profession. If you went into a woodworker’s workshop, you wouldn’t point out their numerous tools and stacks of wood as overconsumerism or wasteful. It is a part of their business. They are the tools of the trade. While I do prefer to have a stocked “creative pantry” as opposed to a sparse one, it is a bit different than having all of the art supplies, camera gear, paints, etc. just for the sake of having them.