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We head to Indianapolis to tour Mab's doll filled studio which inspires her beautiful art.
It’s so totally and utterly me. You can read nearly everything about my life and personality if you spend enough time looking around. I feel an overwhelming sense of safety and inspiration every time I enter my studio. It’s my heaven.
Tell us about your space
My studio is in Indianapolis, IN – I’ve been here for almost four years. I live in an old converted tavern from the 1800’s. My studio is in the upper level (where the barkeeps family lived). The upstairs is divided between my living space, my studio and my partner’s studio. I live in an old converted tavern from the 1800’s. My studio is in the upper level (where the barkeeps family lived). The upstairs is divided between my living space, my studio and my partner’s studio. It’s my work, life and everything space! I’m a pop surrealist painter, so I don’t really do many crafts – I mostly paint there. I do a little jewelry making and some sculpting there too though.
What have you done to make your space cosy, beautiful or inspiring?
I love my art. Art is my passion and I have been collecting small original pieces for several years now. I call them my “family” and they live on my walls and sing to me. They are probably my favorite things in my studio. I have several hundred beautiful picture books (mostly fairy tales!) that provide constant inspiration! I also light a lot of candles and have bunches of little creatures and vintage toys that always make me smile ^_^
How do you keep organized?
Organized? What is this word mean? O_O
Any tips & tricks for organising supplies?
I use a lot of mugs and pots for brushes and I have 3 old medicine cabinets (with dozens of tiny drawers!) that help keep supplies in check. I also use old print trays to keep smaller supplies and little odds and ends contained.
Which are your favourite possessions and are there any of your own creations on display?
I own three of my own paintings. I love them! I also have a few of my own custom dolls. It’s very hard for me to name favorites, but aside from my art collection, I have a little berry basket that was my very first crayon-holder and “studio” when I was a toddler. It holds seashells now in a special place of honor. My shelf of sketchbooks is probably second in line for me. Those are the things I would rush to save in a fire. ^_^
How do you organise your inspiration and ideas?
My sketchbooks are the window into my mind and the keepers of my thoughts. I have used Moleskine sketchbooks since I was 16 – they are perfection for housing ideas.
Where do you look for inspiration?
It really depends on what I am reading/listening to/watching at the moment. I love aliens, monsters, fairy tales, old literature, 60’s pop culture, vintage anything, nature, oddities…. the list goes on! I have 37 sketchbooks from over the years crammed with ideas, so I think if I painted every moment from now till my death I would still never run out of things I desperately wanted to paint!
If you had three wishes, what would you do to make it the dream space?
I’d make it twice as BIG! I would have a little more wall space for growing my art family…. And I’d make it twice as big ^_^ lol I’m really very content and blessed by what I have now, so I can’t think of much I would do to make it different!
Whose craft room would you love to explore? Send us a message!
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