When I’m not painting, I keep my easel over here. You can see my various rags and drop cloths in front of it.
- There’s my file cabinet.
- There’s some of my books. I love these big, open bookcases. They were a bit expensive, but they are so sturdy and flexible (you can put the shelves at any height you like, and add more easily) that it was worth it.
- See that plastic box with the green lid, on the second shelf from the top? Those are my felt pens. I have a whole set that I’ve used maybe twice in the last four years. I keep thinking I’ll need them but I never do…
- Up on the top is a box of small toys. I have larger toys and props in the closet. These are great for getting lighting correct.
This is the wall to the left side of the computer table. Remember how I said to make the office your personal space? These three pictures are very important to me – on the right is an original pen drawing by Dan O’Neill, on the left is a picture of me with Jack Kirby, and in the middle is the original Star Wars poster (the one that came out a year BEFORE the movie). Cool stuff.
This is the area behind the drawing table. Notice that I have plenty of room to get to my bookshelves. Also, the little green rug is where my cat sleeps, when she isn’t on top of one of my monitors, or trying to add kitty-prints to a picture.
Is this the only way to set up a studio? Not by any means – but it works for me. Take what advice you will here, and ignore the rest. As G. K. Chesterton thoughtfully observed:
“I owe my success to having listened respectfully to the very best advice, and then going away and doing the exact opposite.”
Article by Patrick McEvoy.
