I am endless intrigued by Artist’s workspaces. I love seeing what type environment different people find inspiring and what type of layouts they find conducive to their workflow. For years, I’ve kept a folder on my desktop and dragged photos into it of all the various studios I’ve come across on the internet.
There is of course no shortage of beautiful, awe inspiring workspaces to drool over online, and I certainly save those too. But this particular collection of pictures is not about the best interior design or interior decoration for me. These shots are of working artist’s everyday working spaces. It’s where these artists go, day after day, to create the very images that we all know them so well for. The spaces are often meant to be beautiful, but they are always meant to be functional.
I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. And please feel free to share a link to pics of your own studio in the comments section.
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| Dan dos Santos |
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| Yuko Shimizu |
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| Michael Whelan |
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| Steven Stroud |
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| Brad Kunkle |
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| Greg Ruth |
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| Tran Nguyen |
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| Rebecca Guay |
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| James Gurney |
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| Jennifer Gwynn Oliver |
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| Robert Hunt |
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| Steve Hickman |
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| Greg Hildebrandt |
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| Greg Manchess |
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| Donato Giancola |
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| James Jean |
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| Dave Palumbo |
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| Eric Fortune |
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| David Hockney |
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| Shawn Barber |
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| Yoshitomo Nara |
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| Chris Buzelli |
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| Paolo Rivera |
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| George Perez |
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| Howard Lyon |
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| Travis Charest |
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| Drew Struzan |
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| Tom Kidd |
Fascinating for the varied levels of order and chaos.They almost all show an interest in clutter and various collections of little models etc.This seems to be something artists all have in common.I wonder if that is going to die out as we move further away from traditional painting and into digital art?
Great post!
Really interesting variety of spaces. Mine is not nearly so polished as most of these.
Lucky artists with their huge studios, and fancy painting in your front room.
James Jean!
I always fine it interesting that when I know an artist and I see his or her studio, I almost always see the person in the space.
So awesome and inspiring!
Here's mine: http://www.kellymckernan.com/2014/12/25/new-studio-tour/
Really cool. Thanks for sharing Dan!
The utter envy I have is second only to the incredible awe I have for the professionals I see that own these spaces, that have been partners to them in creating the extraordinary visions they bring to life. To have a creative space is to breathe and move unencumbered, to allow for physical storage of the mental notes, and to have that solace for the brain when the rest of the world seems fit to assign itself to a cacophony of riotous noise comprised of electronic beeps and droning voices. It allows you to come back to a moment you've left so that you can hope to continue on where you last were, in a world ripe with interruptions.
always insightful to see the workspace..
always insightful to see the workspace..
I really wish Greg Machess' was in color. His mastery of Color palette would be amazing to see.
I absolutely ADORE studio photos! Thanks for this post! Here is a link to my blog post about my studio, pics included đ http://sketchinger.com/2015/09/studio-tour/
I tried to take a look Kelly, but it just brought me back to this post!
Mind you, my animation desk isn't often as messy as it's shown above. I was juggling three clients at once then and took a snapshot of the utter chaos it produced!
Tom Kidd's studio…be still my heart!!
Good post. I'm starting a remodel of my new studio and the ideas are welcomed! đ
Amazing!! I love artist spaces as well… mine is more humble, but here it is: https://www.dropbox.com/sc/eneibh3803i4dtg/AABb_B_oDmdtrs5SReHStZzGa
I agree. The constant transitions volleying between order and chaos are the make up of a creative person…and in some ways all people. Yet, I don't see how it could die out, Gary. I believe it is fueled from within. If physical models and raw materials are not scattered about, perhaps i the digital world there will be folders and folders of digital samples and notes on the artists' computers.
Yup. Mine isn't either. Mine is more a mix of art, computer, music, books, movies, fly-tying, and lunch with coffee.
Thanks for sharing, Kelly! You are so organized and your daughter is so cute!
Right? Tom just had that studio built not a year ago. I suspect it was meant to be his dream studio.
I used to have a weaving studio, and found I cannon work in clutter. My mind keep saying to me, consequently interrupting me while I am trying to create, things like: “Wait a minute! Why is that pen in with the paintbrushes! I've been looking for that pen for a year! And what's that solvent doing, opened next to that solvent! Both are flammable! Now where is that drawing for creating this piece? Not on my easel, where it should be!” I love seeing other artists' studios – we are all individuals, and our studios reflect that. And I am always intrigues to see how others solved problems that were, to me, unsolvable. Thank you Dan!
P>S> That must be David Palumbo's studio in their old house. Oar at least I was under the impression that his new house finally had a whole room for him to create his studio.
What timing! I'm two days away from finishing my first dream-come-true real studio space that's been 5 months in the making since I bought this house, and have been super intimidated about how I'm going to arrange it all. I haven't been too successful finding illustrator studio photos so you get a big thank you from me! Here's is a WIP photo after lighting was just installed: https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/s2048x2048/11412032_10153552409739444_7238064311309979752_o.jpg
I can't wait to start making traditional art!
Side thought – you know, all these studios are great, but all conventional artist lighting is useless when using a Cintiq. Damn thing reflects all overhead light. I have a up-light, but kind of wish there were more pictures of digital studios so I could figure out alternatives to my poor lamp + oversize daylight bulb.
Charlene – I have the lights over my computer area (not shown in my picture) on a dimmer switch. Recessed LED lighting. I don't use a Cintiq, but it would definitely work. I have my iPad, highly reflective as well, that sometimes sits next to me to display additional reference and I can control the glare with the lights that way.
Looks like it will be a great space! Congratulations!
Awesome, Dan! Great to see a broad range of creative spaces, thanks for including our work space!
I can't relate to any of these spaces, though.
My “space” is the 250-square-foot studio apartment I live in. I don't have a “space” for art there, so much as “spaces”: the bed, a chair, a desk, a table with an easel on it, and a self-inflatable camping mat on the floor. There is a stack of art books, not a library. I have a good lamp though. A nice north light window. (How about a feature on some *minimalist* artist studios?)
I love these! Mine's here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/9c49rdmffktkczx/trullinger_ACN143-02.jpg?dl=0
It will only die out if they never leave the house. Also, the computer folder thing is very real. Even my phone fills up with about 600 random internet pictures a month just because they inspired a thought.
I love this post. James Jean's place is my favorite, always wanted something like that.
Great blog. Thanks for sharing. If you would like to see my current studio have a look at my Instagram. danpattersonart. Cheers
Just ran across this post. I’m equally fascinated by how and where people work. Here’s a link to a pic of my work space (I’m happy to share more).
https://www.joecepeda.com/about
Thanks for your great post.
I loved it đđđ GOD BLESS YOU ALL ABUNDANTLY!!
On topic for me. Iâm relocating and reorganizing my art space for the 4th or 5th time in the past year. There are pros and cons in any space.
ImagineFX did an issue last year just on artist workspaces and I found that immensely helpful in thinking critically about different types of storage or practical layout for things.
Love this article, great to see so many varied and inspiring workspaces!
ParabĂ©ns, gostei imenso! TambĂ©m tenho o meu e jĂĄ tive outros, mas ainda nĂŁo consegui ter ter o estĂșdio ideal, aquele que com ando a sonhar hĂĄ tantos anos…
Great photos and it’s always interesting to follow the process of the artist. Also, I’ve been to the studios a few times and it’s amazing creative chaos around that makes the space special.