Some like the sparce look. Others have lots of clutter. Some are big and others no more than a corner somewhere in the house.

And I alway enjoy "touring" someone elses.

In my case my studio is full of all kinds of things. I have had the opportunity to travel a lot in my work and my studio is full of many souvenirs. There's the fire hydrant I got from Winnipeg. And the bent french horn I got from down in Ohio. And the carved elephant from Illinois. And the fishing float from Peggy's Cove in Nova Scotia. And my wonderful hat collection. And the over 400 Coca Cola items I have picked up from all over. And a thousand other little trinkets.

There is a 12' bulletin board behind my desk with drawings of my latest projects pinned there along with many scraps, notes and photos of things I find inspirational. Other wall have many framed pictures and even some awards I have gathered over the years.

There are some study models of projects. And of course the thousands of books, magazines and phot albums which are my valuable source of inspiration, when I need a reference picture or idea.

And of course, over there in the corner is our mascot... Spaz, the dragon. Eight feet tall and eight feel long and four feet wide. My next studio will have a high enough ceiling to suspend him above all the rest of my collection.

It is organized deep down, but the surface clutter is a good indication of my current state of business. When things are all put away in their proper place I am either not that busy or else am expecting an important visit.

When things are a little more cluttered, with reference books piled high by my desk and papers stacked around, I am in the middle of a big project (or perhaps two or three.)
In the middle of all this stuff, is my desk. It is 12 feet ling and has a space for drawing as well as all my computer stuff. A comfortable rolling office chair completes the picture.

My studio isn't seen by that many folks. I have it for me. It is my space, where I feel comfortable. It's where I can feel secure and create the most wonderful things.

It's my laughing place.

What's your comfortable creating space look like??Give us a tour.

[ December 02, 2001: Message edited by: cheryl nordby ]

-cozy country style gas fireplace in the corner
-a custom made cowgirl that sways back and forth, made out of black painted welded iron, that sits by the fireplace
-two clean computer stations
-4x8 table in the center of the room
-vinyl displayed standing upright filling up a wall
-wall colors deeper taupe, framework fresh white
-lotsa big windows on all four sides
-forest green carpet
-clean and organized when I'm slower or someone is visiting (like Dan LOL)
-tv
-stereo
-funky spotlights and suspended lights everywhere in addition to the standard florescents
-an upstairs view of the country side; wonderful for storm watching!

Soon to be additions - large armoire hiding coffee pot, microwave and fridge, comfy futon, samples on walls of my favorite designs

I love having reminders of all the places I've been and people I've met....

There is the boar skull I picked up in Louisiana, the swag of seaweed I picked up off the beach in Mendocino, my collection of exotic feathers and butterflys,deer skulls,(I collect animal skulls, no idea why...)a gourd I got in the Appalachians, several pounds of shale from Nova Scotia (gonna paint them too, someday) a tiny lobster trap from Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia, seashells,even a couple of pecans I picked up off the lawn at Pat King's!
I collect seeds, rocks, feathers, skulls, antlers, etc.
Have enougth t-shirts and coffee mugs to open my own souvenier shop!
And business cards, I have the cards of almost every Letterhead I've met, and then some.

Now, I wanna SEE everyone's creative space!!

The best thing is that if I need inspiration I can go for a walk, either to the river or along a path through the trees. I can take a dip in the pool if I want to clear the head or set up & work out the back overlooking the river.
i love to listen to the birds, there is one magpie that loves to sing just outside and feeds from our hands.
After many many years of noisy, caotic workshops, this is fabulous. i am finding that I have to regulate my hours somewhat because it's just too easy to drift along out here.

I don't get interupted during the day anymore, my wonderful wife Annie takes all the calls and I return them when it suits me.
Clients must also make appointments to see me, they can't just walk in off the street anymore.......fantastic.

Hell, I can even work "nekkid" if i want.

I should have done this sooner, I just know that my best work is yet to come.

Below is one photo of the creative zone for workbench creativity, & color matching work. I have a series of 4 shots of my front door starting with the first layout of my shop 5 years ago when I rented this warehouse. Next to that is a few years back after I got some nice concrete stain & a somewhat presentable showroom. My airconditioning was an open door due to the 24 foot ceiling & 16' partition between me & my neighbor.

The bottom photos are last years milestone of creating an enclosed office to air condition. This was to protect the new Edge equip. from the dust that used to heavily line the top of every roll of vinyl on my rack.

Now my creative work is 90% computer work & vinyl cutting, printing & prepping done in this room. I can reach all my client job & bookkeeping files, most of my vinyl, all my edge foils, my computers, plotters, printers, phone, fax, stereo, & 200+ audio CD's from this one 10' x 12' half of my office. The 4x8 table in the front (w/ 4x8 cutting mat) is great for vinyl prep & small sign application as well a service counter for discussing & writing up jobs.

The second lil creative place of mine, is in my head *ta da*. It's a funny little place, and quite crowded and cluttered. Many multiple personalities up there.. I counted them once.. Came up with ten. And it really is quite freaky, when you end up with a three way argument with youself, on a topic. There's a corner over there, for distant memories, and even a few more recent. And there is a pitt beside that, which contains all the memories that get forgotten. Like what I ate for dinner last night, or what day it is. Most are retrievable Oh, and then there is that big bit in the middle, full of dragons, and faeries, and things of a more fantastical nature. Oh, and there is a section for the practical side: cooking, cleaning, how to change a tire, etc, But the creative space is that bit in the middle, with the faeries, and dragons and such, amongst other things. I love to draw fantasy creatures, and some of the things I have come up with Drawing and creating fantasy and magic is my passion, as such. So that's my second creative place.

My linnen closet is all ref. books & a bed rookm closet hold odd roll of vinyl. To get to my great 20' by 20' garage/shop you have to go thru my tiny kitchen. Sooooo I have to keep it neat. The floor is marth stewart basket weave painted, the walls are light blue sponged with vines around the top going onto the ceiling. I use fiesta dishes so even if they aren't done they look nice!