I’m in the market for a another work space. Our makeshift dinning room office is not only driving Abe crazy, it just isn’t sustainable anymore. And now that Coco is just half a year away…

We spoke to the British painter about why most of her works leave her feeling disappointed, her current mood board, and more.

From her studio in London's Chelsea, artist Sarah Graham creates magnificent pictures of exotic plants, flowers and insects, which have been inspired by her lifelong fascination with the

After living on the road for numerous years, a young artist uncovers an inspiring studio in Rhode Island.

James Chinlund and Clare Crespo reimagined their midcentury Los Angeles home with the help of design firm Lovers Unite

Renowned printmaker, painter and designer Angie Lewin uses a range of techniques including linocut, wood engraving, and screen printing to produce her evocative art. Her work is inspired by the cli...

Photo source and dialogue by Elise Valdorcia The desire to create stirs within each of us, the question is what gift(s) were we born with, and how do we take it from seed to bloom and share it with others? Photo source and dialogue by Elise Valdorcia Elise said, "My greenhouse-style studio is conducive to creating all kinds of artwork, in all formats. It is an inspiring workplace where materials take form and gather movement, guided by shadows and emotion. The past meets the contemporary, poetry and dreams are made real, and works are crafted. My studio is a beating heart that brings sculptors from quattrocentro Florence back to life." Photo source and dialogue by Elise Valdorcia Each Saturday I like to use my blog to platform an artist that I admire. Today it is Elise! Photo source and dialogue by Elise Valdorcia "Sculpted wood, baroque and contemporary lines, gold leaf, glass, sheet metal, and paper mâché—they all meet here, and the adventure can be colorful or extremely minimalist." Adds Elise about what she used to create her beautiful art. Photo source and dialogue by Elise Valdorcia Photos source and dialogue by Elise Valdorcia Technique from our ancestors Elise creates paper mâché sculptures using a time-honored technique. Paper mâché first appeared in the Far East in the 8th century and made its way to Europe in the 16th century. In Italy, paper mâché earned recognition as a noble and poetic art form. Photo source and dialogue by Elise Valdorcia “I regretted not leaving Carrare marble for paper mâché more often, this divine material that always went beyond it in nobility and finesse.” From the memoirs Benvenuto Cellini, sculptor and goldsmith, 1500-1571 Photo source and dialogue by Elise Valdorcia Follow this link to locate where Elise offers her art for purchase. Galleries & Stores in France and abroad Photo source and dialogue by Elise Valdorcia More about Elise: Each piece is unique "From my workshop, the Elise Valdorcia Studio in Provence, I take each piece from idea to drawing to creation. I make mirrors, light fixtures, small tables, and other household objects, harmoniously mixing styles and eras. I am an artist and decorator, specialized in antiquing objects (using polychromy or gold leaf). My passion for my work comes through in my paper mâché creations. Laurent makes wooden sculptures, creating unique pieces from 18th- and 19th-century wood. He also practises marquetry, having...

As a creative, one of my favorite things in the world is to step into the creative space of another. I love when an artist shares their

From the January 1984 issue, AD revisits the late American painter at his Connecticut home

1. Brooklyn’s Hidden “Hole in the Wall” Restaurant Serving Up Home Cooked Caribbean when we write hole in the wall, we mean it literally. There’s no name, no sign, no hours, no menu, no door to walk through. Just a rectangular cutout from a storefront grate, just by the intersection of Kingston Avenue and St.…

With all of us PAPAYA! peeps reconsidering our work spaces I've been paying extra attention to other inspiring spaces. Getting fresh ideas and of course just marveling! This amazing office space comes from Kelly Moore and featured in Rue Magazine....

When it debuted in 1964, the Action Office was supposed to be revolutionary. It was supposed to set office workers free. Instead, it became the modern office cubicle you call hell.

workspace / utsuwawnote

Ana Kras is an artist with a creative work on lighting design that amaze! Enjoy this Friday's Deco post!

A new book guides readers through the historic spaces of artists from Edward Hopper to Jackson Pollock

I'm off to the farm this week to paint trim and stain the floor in the studio - the last bit of work to do before I can start setting up the space. Since there's really not much to show, I thought I'd share some ideas I've gathered for the space. I need shelving as I have books, frames, canvases...all that need a home. This bookcase is nice and I really like the brush holder. source I like the shallow shelves in this picture. They'd be great for all the cans and bottles of paint. The inspiration/bulletin board area is also really great. I do have an idea for an area to hang photos I'm working off of. source This one is one I really like - notice the canvas storage above the bookshelves and worktable. I want to replicate this is some form or fashion. source These shelves are only one can deep -I'd love something like this so I could see at a glance what paints I had. Loads of them too...I don't think you can have too many shelves. 😊 source Right now my oil paint tubes are in a toolbox. I'd love to have something like this that I could clip them on. Sure would make finding a certain color easy instead of digging through my box. source - #15 Another paint tube system also fabulous: source Love the idea of clip boards to clip inspiration photos up. You can usually find clipboards at the thrift store for next to nothing. source Another setup for canvas storage: source source This is an idea I could easily do - it's an old tv cart with pipe dividers. hmmm, guess I'll have to look for one if Bruce doesn't have time to build me one like in the previous photos. This one I like for the tin ceiling and large worktable in the center. Not sure if I'll have a table in the center though. However, I do plan on one against the wall like the back wall in the photo. source These are all great ideas and will help me figure out how to set the studio up. I am looking forward to planning the space out. SaveSaveSaveSave

Do you have a house full of clutter? If you do, you might be experiencing some unexpected ill effects. You don’t have to suffer from full-blown hoarding disorders to suffer from the psychological side effects of having too much stuff in your life. Even a reasonable number of belongings, if not well organised, can be […]

Magic, undiscovered place inside Kiev Botanical Garden. Потайна майстерня на території Київського ботанічного саду.

You might remember a few weeks back that I wrote about the frustrations of outgrowing my creative workspace and that the time had maybe come to think about doing something about it. Well this is one issue I didn't procrastinate over for too long and earlier this week I took a deep breathe and hired a contractor to do the work for me. All being well it will start on April 15th and I'll be in by May 1st. This is a very rough plan ( not very techy and a bit off scale) I did when I was getting my head around the idea but it's changed a little now, mainly because I tried very hard to focus on the practical aspects and this will lead to a slightly smaller studio design (now in the hands of the builder) which allows for my ridiculously small, dog leg shaped kitchen to be squared off and enlarged a little. I will lose the area at the back indicated by the freezer but although the studio will be a little smaller I won't have to have appliances in there so that's a bonus and, I have to think of the resale value of the house since it's unlikely that any future buyer will be a bead freak who'll prefer studio space over kitchen space...unless I sold it through here of course! For me the most exciting thing is the simple prospect of a sink with running water, a workbench long enough to have several activities on the go at once and a design desk with natural light from a big window. And then of course there is the fun of fitting it all out. As it links to the kitchen and both areas need to be functional, the plan is to refit both spaces to match so needless to say I have been pouring over designer kitchen websites looking at cabinets work tops, sinks (I so want a butlers/Belfast sink), flooring etc. The layout will pretty much be determined by the space itself but the style could be anything and I have no idea which way to go yet. It's inevitable then that I've also been surfing the web for other studio ideas and there are some fantastic spaces out there, all-be-it that many of them are totally beyond anything I could do. It seems some of my AJE team mates are also avid collectors of 'studio porn' ( I hope that doesn't have connotations I'm unaware off...) so I thought for today's post we'd take a leisurely stroll through some favourite creative spaces and ideas...just click on the photos to find out more. Linda has a Pinterest board dedicate to this subject with some pretty aspirational finds - who wouldn't want to work in surroundings like this and how cool is that light shade...? This is one of my favourite finds and I just love the utilitarian, urban feel it has with a pinch of shabby chic thrown in for good measure. Great colours too. Jo's favourites included some great ideas for small spaces. This muffin tin idea is such an ingenious and practical way of storing all those bits and bobs you need close at hand but (in my case) can never find when you need them. And how about this for maximising space in a small area...? Another one from Linda here that's much closer to what most of us are probably used to and the little things that catch my eye here are the fabric swatches wrapped around the table legs and that huge rack for pliers...I NEED one of those! This next one is from Jenny and I love it for two reasons. I really like storage that keeps your work surface clear of clutter but has everything close at hand and I want to make use of the wall above my new workbench in this way. But also, this really reminds me of my Grandfathers shed where he took pride in keeping all his cabinet making tools in pristine condition and with a place for everything and everything in it's place. Here's another one for those who are very short on space - a omplete creative nook in a closet! Some more great utilitarian storage here from Linda's collection...This appeals to me for storing small items because I hate having to move things around to get to the item I want...just far too disruptive to the creative flow! My final selection comes from Jenny and is my favourite because this is where I see myself in my daydreams - in a proper jewellers workshop surrounded by amazing tools for every conceivable need that are worn and polished from years of dedicated creativity...good lord just look at those bench blocks! Ah well, what would life be without dreams... Will my new studio have any of these concepts in them? I don't know yet but I will be posting a daily blog throughout the development over at the 'The Gossiping Goddess' and I'll be sure to keep you updated here to. In the meantime - happy creating. Lesley

Hello, I'm René. I enjoy photographs of people, nature, and travel, with a touch of nostalgia.

Here are some of my favorite inspirational studio spaces of artists, designers, and crafters (plus a few solid pieces to get you started!)

These creative talents didn't settle for any old offices

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Illustrator Oliver Jeffers' New York apartment is a canvas for his quirky art and singular worldview, Emma Brockes discovers. Photographs: Nicholas Calcott

Edvard Munch

One of the first women to make her mark on public spaces across the world, Niki de Saint Phalle was a French sculptor, painter, and filmmaker. She is the featured artist for November, in my Woman Artist Series. From sculptures in Jerusalem to fountains in Paris, to totems in a California park, the works were her way of taking possession and re-owning the male-dominated public space. NIKI de SAINT PHALLE Here are 10 things to know about Niki de Saint Phalle, along with some of her artwork and images of Saint Phalle herself: 1. Catherine Marie-Agnes Fal de Saint Phalle was born on October 29, 1930 near Paris. Her father, Count Andre Marie Fal de Saint Phalle, was a French banker, and her mother was an American, Jeanne Jacqueline Harper. Before World War II broke out in Europe, the family moved from France to the United States, to seek safer ground. Saint Phalle's French family had business ties in New York and relocated there, where her father became manager of the American branch of the Saint Phalle family's bank. Saint Phalle attended the prestigious Brearley School in New York City, a girls' prep school, between 1942 and 1944, but was dismissed for painting fig leaves red on the school's statuary. She went on to attend Oldfields School in Glencoe, Maryland, where she graduated in 1947. It was there, she said later, that she became a feminist. "They inculcated in us that women can and must accomplish great things." During her teenage years, Saint Phalle was a fashion model. At the age of 18, she appeared on the cover of Life; and later, on the covers of French Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Elle. 2. While rejecting the conservative values of her family, Saint Phalle married at 19 -- eloping with author and musician, Harry Matthews, whom she had known since the age of 12, through her father -- and moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts. While her husband studied music at Harvard University, Saint Phalle began to paint -- experimenting with different media and styles. Saint Phalle's self-taught artistic pursuits, were rejected by members of the Saint Phalle clan. They reportedly took a dim view of her artistic activities. The couple's first child, Laura, was born in April, 1951, when Saint Phalle was 21. She had her second child, Philip, at 25. The family moved to Paris in 1952. After becoming a mother, she found herself living the same bourgeois lifestyle that she had attempted to reject. This internal conflict, as well as reminiscences of her rape by her father when she was only 11, caused her to suffer a serious nervous breakdown. She was treated with electroshock therapy and insulin, for what was diagnosed as schizophrenia. As a gentler form of therapy, she was also urged to pursue her painting, which she did, on a full-time basis during her convalescence. While in Paris on a modeling assignment, Saint Phalle was introduced to the American painter, Hugh Weiss, who became her friend and mentor. He encouraged her to continue painting in her self-taught style. 3. After moving to Majorca, Spain, with her family, Saint Phalle gleaned ideas everywhere. Saint Phalle read the works of Proust and visited Madrid and Barcelona, where she became deeply affected by the fantastic structures of the architect Antoni Gaudi. Gaudi's influence opened many previously unimagined possibilities for Saint Phalle -- especially with regard to the use of unusual materials as structural elements in sculpture and architecture. Saint Phalle was particularly struck by Gaudi's "Park Guell", which persuaded her to create her own garden-based artwork, that would combine both artistic and natural elements. That definitely set her course -- to one day create a sculpture park. Saint Phalle continued to paint, particularly after she and her family moved back to Paris. Her first art exhibition was held in 1956 in Switzerland, where she displayed her naive style of oil painting. She then took up collage work, her first reliefs -- that often featured various humble objects, such as plastic toys and knitting needles, embedded in them. Sometime during the early 1960's, she left her first husband. 4. From 1960 to 1963, Saint Phalle caused a stir with her spectacular, experimental "shooting" paintings. These famous Tirs (Shoot) pieces -- considered scandalous at the time -- drip like Pollock's, but were executed by Saint Phalle by shooting a rifle at balloons of colorful paint mounted on white canvases. These pieces of art were created with polythene bags of paints, sometimes in human forms, covered in white plaster. Standing before her canvases, she would first plaster on small pots and bags of paint, and then shoot at them mercilessly with a shotgun, to open the bags of paint, which splattered color onto the relief when they burst. Saint Phalle was a picture of total concentration as she completed her works of art, often surrounded by spectators. For Saint Phalle, shooting with a shotgun or pistol at these modeled plaster reliefs was a release of her feelings and aggressions. "I fired at men, at society with its injustices, and at myself." She was considered an "action artist", rebelling against set conventions. Her "shootings" catapulted Saint Phalle into the limelight of the international art scene, and won her acceptance among the French Nouveaux Realistes group of artists. 5. Seemingly out of nowhere, came Saint Phalle's signature works -- her Nanas -- large, playful, balloon like figures of women, with their arms outstretched, and colorfully decorated from head to toe with gaily-painted flowers, hearts, and other folk motifs. Saint Phalle created these Nanas, her best-known works, in the mid-1960's. Nana is French slang for "broad" or "woman". They are often credited as redefining the depiction of women in sculpture. Some of these vast, curvaceous sculptured bodies towered more than 5 meters (or 15 feet) high. She finally found a highly individual style to express her ideas about being a woman in society. The Nana figures embody self-aware femininity and joie de vivre. These were, in effect, an alternative art to her shooting paintings. Saint Phalle said that she "wanted these good, bounteous, happy mothers to take over the world". The first of these freely posed forms-- made of papier-mâché, yarn, and cloth -- were exhibited in Paris in September, 1965. They eventually were made of polyester. The Nanas' forms may be French, but their attitudes are American. They seem to say -- break all the rules, be confident, be arrogant, and throw your weight around. These rotund girls dressed in bold primary colors twirl on their toes and look like they're having a grand old time. Her larger-than-life Nanas soon conquered the hearts of the public. They seemed to make the world a little more cheerful and colorful. 6. Through the wild group of artists, the New Realists (Nouveaux Realistes) in Paris, Saint Phalle met the Swiss artist Jean Tinguely in 1960, whom she lived with and later married, in 1971. Tinguely, a fellow artist and sculptor, helped Saint Phalle in her efforts. They participated in many Happenings throughout Europe. Their numerous collaborations include the beautiful and whimsical Beaubourg Fountain near Paris' Pompidou Center, on the Place Igor Stravinsky -- with sculptures by both Niki and Jean Tinguely. Saint Phalle and Tinguely were together until his death in the 1990's. 7. In the mid-1960's, Saint Phalle and Tinguely collaborated on another installation -- this time a huge Nana figure. The sculpture was Hon (the Swedish word for "she"). This architectural sculpture was like a cathedral. This 92-foot-long (28 meters), 20-foot-high hollow sculpture of a woman lying on her back was placed on the floor of Stockholm's Moderna Museet. Visitors entered the figure -- which contained a bar, aquarium, planetarium, music rooms, and a movie theater -- through a door between her splayed legs. 8. Saint Phalle worked on her biggest project, the Tarot Garden, inspired by Gaudi's Park Guell in Barcelona, until her death. She started the project in the early 1970's -- when she decided to create and build a sculpture garden. The Tarot Garden in the hills of Tuscany features a series of monumental sculptures based on the 22 symbols of the tarot cards -- gigantic figures and towers covered in mirrors, ceramics, and stones. The artist's highly individual style would make the whole place a singular work of art. In 1983, the first completed figure -- the Empress, in the center of the garden -- became her home and studio for seven years while she worked there. Eventually, after decades of work, the Giardino die Tarocchi (the Tarot Garden) in Garavicchio, Tuscany, opened in May of 1998. 9. Niki de Saint Phalle's role as an artist and a provocateur defined her. She had a unique, yet often dismissed place in 20th century art. In so many ways, she was a pioneer of avant-garde. She once said, "I always admired people who went all out." She did just that. When she was 62, Saint Phalle published her memoir, Mon Secret, in which she revealed that her father had sexually abused her for several years, beginning when she was 11 years old. After that, her strikingly varied body of work took on new meaning, with a more cohesive narrative. She overtly tackled American issues, such as gun control and civil rights in the 60's in her artworks. She was one of the earliest champions of Aids awareness. 10. Saint Phalle was half French, half American, and bilingual. Although she was born in France, she spent decades in New York and California -- where she lived out her final years. Her Tarot Garden in Tuscany opened in 1998, but by then, Saint Phalle had already retreated to the milder climate of California. Her lungs had been seriously damaged by working with polyesters. Niki de Saint Phalle died on May 21, 2002, in San Diego, California, of pulmonary emphysema -- at the age of 71.

I am but a lowly instrument to the muses20

We came upon this artist by way of friend and photographer Kirsty Mitchell who wrote, "I literally don't think I have ever seen anything as utterly

Envie d'espace, de lumière et de rêver en images pour créer votre atelier d'artiste ? Embarcation immédiate pour les 20 plus beaux ateliers d'artistes!