The front part of the studio where BJ sits when she wants to sketch, read, rest while something is drying or just stare at her space and dream.
And now step into where the paint flows!
1) When did you start dreaming
about having your own creative space? Did you have one as a child?
I have always been creative and
done artsy projects, but I don't recall ever having a creative space as a
child. It was wherever I would drag my supplies to.
I was a graphic designer for 18
years before I began my art licensing career. For many of those years, I worked
in agencies, then freelanced from my own small rented office space, then moved
into a spare bedroom at home. During those times, I never really felt the need
for a creative space, per se. My work was on the computer for the most part.
But when I started transitioning into licensing and doing more illustration and
painting, the need grew. I expanded into yet another bedroom, and after several
years there, I really began dreaming of a large, open, airy space where I could
make a big mess, walls and floor be damned. I wanted to work on larger
canvases, and many at once. My little 10 x 12 space wasn't cutting it, despite
the fact that I'd already ruined the carpet. I decided at the end of 2011 that
I would begin looking for that space I was dreaming of. A death in the family
brought that to a halt for six months. Then, miraculously one day I drove by
the perfect spot ~ 650 Sq Ft of office/warehouse space close enough to ride my
bike, inexpensive enough to be doable! Oh happy day!!
2) The day you stepped into
your space for the first time, did you already know how you wanted your studio
to look like or did the design evolve from the actual space?
I actually have three creative
spaces now ~ my "tech suite" (all the computers and equipment), the
art/craft/sewing room (which once housed my painting work space as well), and
the warehouse space.
With the warehouse painting
studio I immediately knew what to do with the space the moment I walked in. I
saw it all in my head and it is now exactly as I saw it, but still evolving ~
I've only been there for 9 months now.
With both the tech suite and the
art room, they have evolved many times over the last 12 years to fit and refit
my work needs and they have often been influenced by the space itself because of
the space limitations. I've had to be very creative with storage!
Since I moved my painting stuff
to the warehouse studio space, I was able to fit a daybed into my
art/craft/sewing room. Not only am I happy to again have space for guests, but
it is also a great place to have coffee in the morning with my journal.
3) After the work is done, do
you clean up after each piece, after each day or whenever you can´t find the
table any more?
I most often clean up after
working on a particular project or piece, however I often have to clean up
during the process because I can't find the table :-))
4) Do you have a system to
keep all your materials or do you have your most favourites always at
hand?
I don't know that I would call it
a system...but I am organized fairly well. You have to be when working with a
small space like my craft/sewing room, but I have always been an organizer. My
motto is "like with like" ~ in other words, store things with other things that
make sense and you'll always be able to find things and know right where to put
them when you're through with them.
In my warehouse painting studio I
have several organized areas and one thing I do hoard are containers of all
sorts (see photo of containers under table). They always come in handy for
keeping things together. I swear I use a new one or two weekly.
Where you can find BJ on line:
Website: BJ Lantz Illustration & Design
Facebook: BJ Lantz Studio
Etsy: BJ Lantz Original Artwork
Pinterest: BJ Lantz
15 comments:
GORGEOUS!
Happy PPF!
Golly, would like to get covered in paint there, looks so much fun xxx
What a great space! That last picture made my heart sing... it looks just like my table - nice and full of creative inspiration!!
I would love to have my own creative space. Going to put it on my to do list. Thank you for inspiring me to action. ~ Dina (UBC)
How fun to have a space dedicated completely to your passion!
What a fabulous space! I LOVE the giant table...jealous!
what a beautiful space! I love anything with party lights!!
I use the whole house as my creative space, but it's far from as organized as that. Beautiful!
Oh, what a gorgeous studio! Would love to paint there!
Lovely studio! Thank you for sharing and happy PPF!
Thanks for sharing this awesome space...and beautiful paintings!
Hugs Giggles
Wonderful interview, Paula! So inspiring. What a lovely space she has to work. Convinces me further that I really need to get my studio organized!
It is a wonderful space for art.
Thank you for sharing and hugs
Erika
Wonderful studio, very inspiring!
It's really important to stay in an inviting environment to get the creative juices flowing :)
A perfect creative space, simply wonderful!
I really like the string of lights going across the room....magical.
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