This week’s Artist Studio Spotlight: Phyllis Taylor

Before we talk about your studio, tell us abour yourself as an artist.
Most of my work is done with a graphite pencil because its inexpensive, its always handy and there is usually always paper available for me to draw onto. Of course, when I do my more serious work I use archival paper with various weights of pencil leads. I also use paint, pastels and am currently learning to use colored pencils. As for my subject matter, I tend to focus on human faces. There is something about the individual expressions that attract my attention and make me want to draw them.

Where is your studio located?
In my home. Being retired, I find my home is the most convenient place to do my work. Although my studio is essentially in my dining room, elements of it are throughout my entire home.

What are the most important elements of your studio?
Right now, my most important element is my work table. My studio is in my dining room and the table takes up two-thirds of the space. The room is 9ft.x12ft and the table is 4ft x 8ft. That is most of the room and that is where my work is created.

How do you handle storage?
I live in a townhouse, so storage is limited. I use all of the closet space in one of the upstairs bedrooms and I have bookshelves everywhere. There are about 8 bookshelves that are about 6ft tall. My downstairs guest bathroom contains brushes, cleaning supplies. Basically everything that doesn’t belong there, exists there for my storage purposes. I also have shelves in my dining room for holding art supplies. Toolboxes work great for storing my pencils and other drawing supplies which I keep on my main studio table. I use every space that is available to store all my art supplies.

Any tips for studio organization?
I would have to say that you should keep whatever materials you are working with within arms reach. This keeps everything very handy so I can focus on my work and not to have to keep getting up and down to get something.

What advice would you give to a new artist?
Practice and keep practicing your craft. Don’t ever stop. Keep painting and drawing and soon it won’t feel like work anymore. It will be just a part of what you do.

Any favorite books you like to keep in your studio library?
I keep a lot of books about a lot of art! Some of my favorites include reference books on drawing and color along with books about favorite artists such as Manet and Cezanne. These books transcend time and some are even older than me. I love my art books.

Check out more pictures of their studio here!

CLICK HERE to read Phyllis’ Artist Interview.

CLICK HERE to visit Phyllis’ personal site.