As I shared earlier this week, packing up the studio has been the hardest part of the move. (You can read about why we’re moving HERE.) feel like I can cook anywhere. I can do laundry anywhere. We can have family pizza movie night anywhere. I will miss our bed and bedding, but I can sleep in any reasonably decent bed and quiet room. But I have wondered about creating in a space other than my studio. There is nothing magical about a particular room, but it is designed specifically for me, the way I work, and the way I want a creative space to feel. I’m used to the light and I know where everything is. I know I will miss that until I can create a new studio wherever we land. I am doing what I can to make my “portable studio”, which consists of bins, bags, and zipper pouches, give me what I need to feel inspired and well-equipped. One of the recent additions to this portable studio is a Victorian box easel.
My studio easel is obviously going to be packed away. It’s too big and heavy to cart around from Airbnbs to hotels to my parent’s house, but I wanted to have some sort of easel that felt special. Enter – the Victorian box easel I spotted on .
is the studio easel I have.
It is a very cool piece and is actually a half-box easel, so it’s smaller and lighter than a traditional box easel, but still offers all of the same features. One wing nut is missing, so I had to clamp the back leg until I can go to the hardware store and find a replacement that fits. I also need to replace the leather straps, so I can carry it like a backpack. For being over 100 years old, this Victorian box easel is in pretty good shape, but it does need a little TLC.
I’m also going to give it a good rubdown with some (now called ) to bring out the beauty of that old wood. (You can read about how I clean and hydrate old wood using vinegar and hemp oil HERE.) That’ll be a fun little project to work on when we’re in an Airbnb in a couple of weeks.
The Victorian box easel has a small drawer that pulls out under the adjustable easel to hold paints and supplies.
It also includes a folding palette, but it’s not in the best condition, so I’ll likely use something else. It’s nice to keep in the box, though, because it’s the lid for the drawer.
I love the patina of all of the paint splotches. It makes me think about what kind of art has been created on this easel over the years.
You might wonder why an easel is necessary for an artist, especially if you’re working on smaller pieces. Can’t you just lay them flat? Yes, you can, but… Every little detail matters when you’re drawing, including your perspective on the paper or canvas. If you’re looking at it at an angle, it distorts this image. It’s best to paint with the painting completely vertical on an easel. This easel can go perfectly vertical or can be leaned back a bit if necessary. I can also use it as a tabletop easel by folding up the legs.
When I do get back into a permanent studio, I thought this Victorian box easel might make a beautiful display for a piece of art, or I might even want to continue to use it as a travel easel. Or both!
You can find more of my favorite new and antique art supplies HERE.
11 Responses
I know what you mean when making a creative space. I’m still tweaking my space 3 years on! The biggest thing is I cannot wait to get the mini split A/C unit installed. We’re closing in on 100° in there!!?
Your Victorian box easel is gorgeous. What a treasure and a great find!
I love the light over you easel- where did you find it?
Lovely solution for painting during your in-between stage! My husband got me a box easel for Christmas (not antique, but still beautiful), and you’ve inspired me to start using it.
I’m so glad you will be able to continue painting during the summer. I love your artwork & have several prints around my home. I’m sure I’m not the only one loving your art!
One of the most interesting and helpful book I’ve ever read is ‘Understanding Life’s Transitions’ by William Bridges. Moving is one of the big ones! He believes there are three basic stages in transitions: endings, the neutral zone, and new beginnings. IF you can find one of his books on transitions, you will understand where you seem to be now, Marian, (and for the next several months)…… in the neutral zone. If things don’t go as planned, and life seems a bit confusing and chaotic, Bridges reminds us that this neutral zone is required in order to reach new beginnings!
Love this! Glad to see you will have a place to be creative!
Hi Marian: know what you mean about a “temporary studio”. We sold our house a year and a half ago thinking we would find another smaller one in a couple of months. I packed up all my essential crafting and art stuff in small bags and boxes organized by type. Well, it’s a year and half later and we are still in the midst of this crazy overpriced real estate market and living in two very small apartments (one being in Florida for the winter and one in Mass.). My temp studio has worked well enough but I find myself buying replacements for things I already have in storage and fighting my husband for space on the dining table.
I call our car the “craftmobile” when we are traveling between both locations. I’m ready to move into a permanent space now. Hopefully, you won’t be waiting as long as I have!
Oh, I hope you get a permanent studio soon! Being in flux for that long is hard, but I hope the wait proves to be worth it and you end up in an amazing place.
Great find! I need to start looking for vintage art supplies when I am out and about. Glad you will be able to create while in transition…very calming.
Back when you were doing your 100 Meadows series I was so inspired to take up painting! The look of your scenery art is exactly my taste and I have always had an artistic bent. I started collecting all kinds and mediums of paints and brushes etc. and for my birthday last year, my husband surprised me with a vintage easel almost identical to yours, also an eBay find. It is up in our finished barn loft/studio, and on it is your picture that we were able to download after purchasing your last book as my inspiration piece! (I had it done on canvas by the company you recommended, outstanding!) I wish I could include a photo!
Sadly, it is still just a beautiful decor piece, waiting to be put into use, as painting has still not worked it’s way up to the top of the priority list here, but someday!!