From home offices to shared co-ops to converted cabins, our illustrators’ studios inform their creative practice. Considering their wide range of media and style, it is no wonder that everyone’s space looks and functions differently. Today we bring you an exclusive peak into each of their creative realms located around the globe with the following studio tours.
Dahl Taylor: Shared studio space in downtown Albany, New York
With over 30 years of experience working as an illustrator and a fine artist, Dahl adapts his traditional, painterly style for a myriad of jobs ranging from web video and television, to murals and children’s books, to annual reports and packaging.
How does your space affect your work? Sometimes, I’m influenced by the other artists who share the space.
What is hanging on the wall of your studio? Some of my work (to re-asess its strengths or failings)and a lot of antique signs.
What is your favorite feature of your studio? It is a large, open space studio in a turn-of-the-century former book bindery building. I’ve been here a long time and I feel most creative and at home here.
Kirsten Ulve: Studio in Manhattan’s Flat Iron District, NY
Kirsten’s crisp and colorful studio perfectly reflects her quirky illustrated characters. Her work charms every industry and has appeared in magazines, on the sides of buses, on Broadway marquees, in animated TV commercials, on clothing, and in the form of games and toy figurines around the world.
How does your space affect your work? I’m here a lot and definitely need beauty and order around me to feel happy. Which is a big part of my work.
What is hanging on the wall of your studio? Vivid banana leaf wallpaper. I currently also have pieces by Stina Persson and Jen Ski on my desk.
What is your favorite feature of your studio?I’ve cultivated a nice jungle of plants here, and I love my daybed under a giant bent yucca tree for sketching and/or napping.
What do you love most about your creative space?It’s big and sunny, there are kitties here helping me, and I love opening the windows and letting the city be a part of my soundtrack. Two of my best friends also work in this building, so there’s a nice community feeling here.
When and where do you feel most creative?Late at night. This is when I feel I have time to think and focus freely.
Amanda Lima: Home studio in Brasil
Amanda perfectly balances vibrancy and simplicity in her youthful yet intentional illustrations that come to life both digitally and with cut paper.
How does your space affect your work? A lot! My studio is the space where I feel most calm and relaxed, thus, the best space for me to be creative in! When I’m trying to work outside my studio, I never feel like I’m able to give 100% of attention to my work.
What is hanging on the wall of your studio?I have some of the pieces I’m most proud of hanging on the walls, as well as illustrated postcards of places I’ve traveled to. And then, depending on what I’m working on at the time, I fill the walls with inspiring images related to my current work. Right now I’m developing a project heavily inspired by Flemish art from the 16th and 17th centuries, so there is a lot of that taped to my walls.
What is your favorite feature of your studio? The giant window! It lets in a lot of natural light.
-When and where do you feel most creative?Early in the morning and in my studio 🙂
Dalia Adillion: Home studio in Bristol, UK
Born in Barcelona and based in the UK, Dalia’s natural curiosity of the world is evident in her investigative and complex illustrations.
How does your space affect your work?It’s important for me to have a comfortable, spacious, quiet and bright space. It must be pleasant and cozy, since as an illustrator I spend a lot of time in it.
What is hanging on the wall of your studio? The truth is that there aren’t many things hanging on the walls. I like it to be a diaphanous space, white and clean, with a small touch of color like some garlands hanging on the wall to give a more informal and festive touch!
What is your favorite feature of your studio? There are many favorite objects like a bookshelf full of books, especially children’s books, art books, magazines, all kinds of material that can inspire and enrich my work. Also, my brush pots, paintings of all kinds, etc. I think that a studio represents
very well who works in it for its objects, plants, its organization and cleanliness, etc.
What do you love most about your creative space? I think what I love the most is what it represents and not what it contains: A space that facilitates and allows you to create freely.
BlindSalida: At home and a co-working space in Paris, France
BlindSalida’s visual interpretation of his work space speaks to his constant originality and work ethic. An art director turned illustrator, his ambitious digital creations explore the world of infographics, flat design, mathematic diagrams, line works and digital lettering.
How does your space affect your work? I try to be in a bubble when I work. A computer screen and a lot of music are enough to create the ideal space!
What is hanging on the wall of your studio? A blank wall. As empty as the blank page when I start a creation. That way, there’s no way to be disturbed or distracted!
What is your favorite feature of your studio?My space is very ergonomic and that’s what I ask. Just the iconic “Herman Miller” chair and a liftable desk for standing work.
When and where do you feel most creative?I like to work late at night, when there are no noise and a the feeling of time flows more slowly.
Lindsey Spinks: A converted cabin outside London, UK
We are not the least bit surprised that Lindsey dreams up her peaceful landscape illustrations in a pastel blue cabin at the bottom of her garden.
How does your space affect your work? There are four windows in my studio & a door with large windows, having lots of natural light where I work is important and helps me focus. I also like white walls that act as a blank canvas to add inspiration to. I have lots of inspiration around me in the form of old packaging, objects, prints, book covers and more. The colour and pattern around me inspire my work.
What is hanging on the wall of your studio? The short answer is quite a lot! I have a board where I hang prints & pieces I’ve collected from artists that inspire me. It includes some ceramic bunting I was gifted and a handmade paper flower wreath that was the first piece I bought when we moved into our home. It’s by Grace D. Chin and it has cut out paper words saying ‘All bodies are good bodies.’ Having artwork & inspiring quotes in my workspace is really important to me.
What is your favorite feature of your studio? I love the shape of the triangle window that lets in lots of natural light and the bird nesting box that hangs just outside the studio window. I sometimes see the birds go to and fro and I always hear them, they can be quite noisy! I love the sound of nature or life around me while I’m working.
What do you love most about your creative space? I feel very grateful to have a dedicated space to work, it has really helped separate work from life. I love sharing it with my two dogs Elsie and Lily who enjoy the routine of coming down to work with me each day. They have a couple of beds to choose from but you will mostly find them sleeping snuggled together. Elsie the older one, snores away contentedly, it’s actually a very soothing sound to work to!
When and where do you feel most creative? I find myself feeling most creative when I’m in my studio but I also love solo train journeys for thinking of ideas. Dog walks are great for chatting to my husband and letting off steam. If I’m feeling stuck or need a break walking and talking often seems to bring clarity.
Daniel Ting Chong: Co-shared studio space in Capetown, South Africa
Daniel’s design driven style infiltrates many areas of his life as seen in both his minimalist, vector-based illustrations and stunning studio space.
How does your space affect your work? I work in a co-shared studio space with my extremely talented friends. The space affects my work in a huge way, this is because I’m surrounded by my amazing studio mates who I can always lean on for advice and help alleviate the stress from projects which helps with ones mental health and especially being independent in this industry.
What is hanging on the wall of your studio? A lot of meaningful pieces of work from friends and people that I highly admire. The artwork on the walls are a collection of everyone’s favourite pieces and tells a beautiful story and how it made it’s way onto the wall.
What is your favorite feature of your studio? The light is my favourite element of the studio. Our studio is west facing, however, we get this beautiful direct light around mid-afternoon and it fills the space completely and casts amazing shadows through the window. We also have large vintage doors which open out to a patio area and we have an incredible view of Lions Head from our studio.
What do you love most about your creative space? The people who reside in it and the relationships we share which is incredible conducive to my work.
When and where do you feel most creative?In the quiet times where there isn’t much noise around.
Mike Wimmer: home studio in Savannah, Georgia
Mike’s attention to detail and keen knowledge of painting techniques has led to a prolific career as an illustrator and Professor of Illustration at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).
How does your space affect your work? Everything that we surround ourselves helps support our work. Every house I have own, is a living space that revolves around a working studio. So I guess you could say, our house is really a giant studio with a kitchen and a bedroom attached.
What is hanging on the wall of your studio? I have only been in the studio for less than seven months, so I have not really committed a lot of paintings to the wall yet. But throughout the house we have our paintings, and the paintings of our friends that we collect.
What is your favorite feature of your studio? My favorite thing in the studio has to be my easel. It is a shoes easel, that can hold large and small canvases, and of course my books. They inspire, they inform, they comfort, they help me create.
What do you love most about your creative space? I love the fact that it is the center of our home. Creativity is the center of our home. This is just so well reflected in its location, it’s size, and it’s make up. The large windows with natural light flooding in from every direction, which can be corrected with shades, allows for mini working conditions.
When and where do you feel most creative? I am most creative during the day. I am a day person. I wake up charged and ready to go, and love to have a full day of painting ahead of me. Night time seems to be the time to relax, read, and rest.
Josie Shenoy: Home studio in South London, UK
Josie’s beautiful botanical illustrations are clearly inspired by her curated collection of clippings and the growing garden beyond her glass doors.
How does your space affect your work? I really thrive in a quiet space and prefer to work alone rather than in a shared studio. I am quite meticulous with the level of work that goes into each illustration- they require a lot of patience. I love company, but I can be easily distracted, so when it comes to illustrating, I definitely need space and quiet!
What is hanging on the wall of your studio?The wall behind my desk is covered in patterned postcards and colourful clippings from magazines that inspire me. My studio walls are also decorated with my framed artwork!
What is your favorite feature of your studio? My new studio is in my home, and the glass doors from my workspace lead to the garden. I’ve never had a garden before in London so this is a place of wonder for me! I’m enjoying watching my newly planted flowers grow as I work.
What do you love most about your creative space? The studio is a lovely serene, quiet environment to work in, with big windows and lots of light.
When and where do you feel most creative?I love exploring this beautiful city and looking up at its incredible architecture and visiting museums such as the Natural History Museum and the V&A. I love walking through the park too. This definitely helps me feel inspired. I’m also definitely more productive in the afternoons, rather than the mornings, and I seem to have ideas when I’m falling asleep too, so I keep a pen and pencil next to my bed!
Dan Sipple: Home office in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, California
Dan embraces his adventurous spirit in his lively, action-packed illustrations. His enthusiasm for life can be seen in his vibrant color palette and cheerful characters.
How does your space affect your work? It’s kind of my sanctuary and a bit like being inside my head. (How scary is that?) Only difference is there are no bats in the studio.
What is hanging on the wall in your studio? I like to hang my own images so my new illustrations push things but are consistent with what I’ve done in the recent past. There are also inspirational phrases and the work of other illustrators that I admire. I change it up from time to time to keep things fresh. Can’t go gettin’ complacent.
What Is the favorite feature of your studio? My chair. I knew I’d be spending a lot of time in it so I got the best, most comfortable chair that I could and it has paid off. It is a Haworth X99 chair in case you were wondering. I’ve also added an aftermarket cushion to make it even more luxurious because I deserve it doggone it!
What do you love most about your creative space? It’s very comfortable and has everything I need to get my work done.
When and where do you feel most creative? When I’m riding my road bike up in the mountains. Because it’s so beautiful but challenging it clears my mind of the everyday worries and my mind can wander to new ideas.
