This month’s post is a bit different. I believe that making your own space is vital when creating art. Bold statement? Let’s unpack this.
Questioned my space to building my space
My first full time job was a game artist for indie game studio. Everyone got a desk and a computer.
People could always telll which desk was mine. It was always full. Not messy. Just full of things I loved. I loved Ironman so I had a row of Ironman Funko Pops.
My game designer’s desk was the opposite. It had a notebook. Phone. Maybe a water bottle.
I was fascinated with the simplicity and asked why he didn’t want to decorate his desk. He simply replied
“clean desk, clear mind.“
That blew my mind. I felt embarrased. And worried. Was my STUFF the cause of my scattered brain? Was I supposed to keep my desk simple for my mental health?
I ended up NOT changing my desk layout. But that comment stuck with me.
Building your space = discovering yourself
Since I was a kid I loved decorating my space. I shared my room with my sister for a while. So decorating my area meant claiming my territory. My sanctuary. I never grew out of it I guess.
My taste has evolved from boyband posters (Myojo magazine anyone?) to art posters. But some things stayed the same. I just fine tuned what I like. Here’s stuff I still adore.
Art toys
My collection started when I was in middle school. I still LOVE my relax magazine gacha art toys.
Postcards
I have 7 binders full of postcards.
Art prints
I used to have a gallery wall full of art prints.
Hand made gifts
My daughter’s creations are the best!
Discovering yourself = discovering your voice (art style)
By surrounding my work space with things I love, I am able to see what I love. When I grow out of it, it sticks out. And I put it away.
Why do I think it’s an important process for creators? As an artist, we are responsible for our vision. Our voice. We are not here to copy someone else’s work. Art is expressing. Even when I’m illustrating author’s manuscripts, I always inject my vision of the story. I have the power to choose what story to illustrate. I have the power to expand on that story.
But if I don’t know what I like in the first place, it’s really hard to create children’s books that kids will connect.
Keeping up with your voice = finding your audience (niche)
I nerd out about what I love. I do it in my work space. I make Spotify playlists. I keep all of my sketchbooks. I have a list of comedians I love. Movies I love. Museums I love. It’s ok for your taste to change. And also totally ok for it to stay the same.
So why should this matter?
When I surrounded myself with things I love, I started to see a common thread. I love things that are quirky, funny, kind, attitude, sweet, mustard yellows and purples. I also recognized things I don’t like. Gory, mean, complex, realistic, rough.
This realization helped me when I was building my illustration portfolio. Editors always say to draw the things you want to make. In my portfolio I have things like kids with fun clothes (I want to wear them). Curious teenage witch surrounded by fun stuff. Cute, bobblehead like monsters. Sweet cozy moments. It’s all what I LOVE.
I got hired for book projects from editors seeing my portfolio pieces. That means they liked my voice.
I also get more followers on social media when I post my portfolio pieces. My art friends say that they can recognize my illustrations now. So I’m hoping this is some kind of proof that my method helps.
I also hope this doesn’t make you feel like a daunting task. This should all be fun to YOU. I’m not saying to start decorating your work space. I just want you to think about what your voice is. And how you get to the answer is up to you :)
Thank you so much for reading. See you next month <3
Love and timid feelings, Shiho