Time to Set Up an Inspiring (and Safe) Home Studio

Do It For the Process from Emily Jeffords

A few tips for setting up a functional at-home studio:

First and foremost, make sure the supplies you are using are SAFE. Do not use toxic materials in your home.

I've created a free guide to help with that. Get the Studio Setup Guide.

Once you're ready to set up your studio space, keep these tips in mind:

• Make your home studio an easily accessible space but not in a space that will impede normal life. I bought a little table on Amazon and set it up in the corner of my living room.
• Have a variety of art supplies on hand. Feeling free and explorative is always important, but especially right now! Gather all the mediums you think you might want and bring them into your home studio space.
• Tupperware bins. Keep all the paints and supplies out of reach and contained (especially if you have little ones!)
• Jars with lids for all the liquids and to store brushes. Spaghetti sauce jars, fancy mason jars...
• Dedicated cabinets and drawers.

You might need to change what or how you create to make working-from-home a viable option -- especially if you're used to working in a separate studio space.

• Work smaller if needed
• Get a table easel if you prefer to work vertically or use two nails in a wall and hang your canvas directly on the wall
• Use your walls as drying space or storage (plus, you get a house full of art! Woohoo!)

Ok, so we have the materials gathered and stored, the space set up, but how do you get anything done at home.

• Communicate with your people. Let your roommates, kids, partner, friends... everyone around you know about your planned creative sessions. Block out 60 or 90 minutes, schedule a painting-afternoon, etc. Just be clear and let them know what to expect so you can all work in harmony together.
• Tell little kids that this studio space is only for mama (yes, even 2-year olds).
• Share your longer-term vision, aspirations, and plans with your partner so they can support you in them.

Ok, so your space is set up, functional, safe, and everyone is letting you create, but it feels lonely... I get it. Creativity is usually a lone-act, but it shouldn't feel isolating. When that feeling seeps in, I recommend finding ways to bring some warmth into your space.

• Engage with the creative community and help this space feel alive and communal
  • Host an Instagram Live while in your creative space
  • Hop on zoom with a few artist friends and just create alongside each other.
  • Organize an online craft or bad-art night

Most of all, be gentle with yourself. If you're feeling inspired in this space, then AWESOME! If not, then that's fine. But don't allow the inaccessibility of your creative space be to the reason you don't create. Make your space as welcoming and accessible as possible and I can bet that this self-isolating season will fly by just a bit faster.

And remember to get the Studio Setup Guide.

PS. I'll be hosting a live ink making workshop with my friend Tanya Val on Tuesday (April 14th) at 3:00 pm eastern time. Join us on Instagram! @Emily_Jeffords