Creative Community Series: Inside the Studio of InkPenInk

Welcome to my new series! The Creative Community Series is one that has been on my heart and I'm finally bringing it to fruition. This blog series will feature interviews with different creatives: artists, designers, and videographers, who are part of a mutually supportive creative community. Each blog will center around one simple but revealing question: What are your five favorite things in your studio?

This also offers an opportunity for me to share and promote the work of my friends who have supported me in this journey. I want to spotlight and celebrate the creative community by sharing intimate, personal insights into the studios and daily inspirations of fellow creatives.

To kick things off, I'm going to do a look into my own studio and share the things that inspire me. Seeing a look into ones creative space is like looking into their inner soul. You can get a true look at the inspiration and the artistic journey each creative goes through. This is a simple way that we can all gain insight into each creative’s values, inspirations, process, and personality. 

Five Things + Why

The Horse and his Boy Print 
There is a really cool bookstore in Harrisburg called Midtown Scholar. It quickly became one of my favorite spots. There's a bunch of smaller rooms in the back and a basement. You could spend hours in here with the amount of books. There was one room deep in the basement that had a ton of art prints by J. Bean. They had a lot of cover remakes by C.S. Lewis. The Horse and his Boy was one that I really loved and was drawn to. I saw so much beauty within that specific book and the print really captured the essence of the book. My husband, Jonathan, surprised me with the print for my birthday. He called the bookstore and had the print shipped to us and it's now one of my favorite things in my studio.

My Desk
I found this desk years ago at World Market. I originally just purchased it because I liked it and didn't intend to use it for printmaking. But the glass on the top is actually perfect for working with ink. It's easy to wash, functional, and has been with me for many years now. 

My Paint Rack
I found this rack while antiquing with my mom in Kentucky one morning. At first glance it looked like it might belong in a bathroom but I realized that it would be the perfect size for my acrylic paints. The outside is carved and has such a beautiful Hawaiian style inspiration that I couldn't pass it up. And now it's home to all of my paints.

Bonnie and Clyde (Taxidermy Quail)
These taxidermy quails were given to me as a birthday gift from my team at my previous job. They found a guy on Ebay who sold taxidermy birds and apparently it was the best birthday gift they could get me. Not joking!! I never thought I needed any taxidermy quails but as soon as I saw them, I absolutely loved them. One of the girls on my team was flying to Missouri for some bachelorette duties and she met this man at a Springfield gas station and got the birds. Bonnie and Clyde proceeded to do all of the wedding festivities with the bridal party and were then saran wrapped into a carry-on suitcase and came home to Tennessee. And now they live with me and will stay with me forevermore.

Personal Notes and Doodles
This little area of my office is filled with everything sentimental. There's little doodles that friends have given me, silly birthday cards, thank you cards, some artwork, a lino print from my roommate in college, Bible verses, special notes from people I love and so much more. All of these little pieces hold so much meaning, and I wholly believe that you should surround yourself with the people who mean the most. Any gifts or doodles are displayed here to remind me of the people I love.

Advice Column

Are there any studio habits or routines you’ve developed that you think could be helpful for other artists?

Every morning when I begin my work day my favorite thing to do is to open the windows wide. Let as much natural light in as possible. This helps wake me up but also connect me to what is happening outside. If it’s gloomy outside that often affects my mood but I can channel that into a particular moody piece. If it is snowing I can show my joy through another piece. Opening the windows is the first thing I do every morning. 

What advice would you give to creatives who feel hesitant or unsure about reaching out to find a creative community?

If you don’t have a creative community, create one. About a year ago I had this idea for a weekly arts gathering with zero pressure, one that felt cozy and inviting, a place for artists to meet other artists. That has been one of the most encouraging groups this past year. We celebrate each other's wins as well as pick each other up when we are feeling down or overwhelmed. I started with a handful of artists I had met (some I knew well and some I did not) and over time we have established a core group as well as we have some that come whenever they can. And it is a beautiful thing. So if you don’t know of something like this and that is what you are craving, start one! You never know what can spring out of it. 

Final Thoughts

Sharing my creative space will hopefully spark some creativity in others or give a little insight to my process. I love making my studio into my muse, a creative outlet, and a sanctuary all in one. It's the perfect place to spend the hours on a project. 

I truly believe that creativity does not exist in isolation. By sharing spaces, tools, and inspirations, this series highlights the relationships, values, and environments that sustain creative practice. 

Our next studio tour will be with Ginny Worsley, a painter and a dear friend of mine! She creates playful paintings full of whimsy and nostalgia for a simpler time, focusing on ordinary moments and subjects that have a story to tell. Stay tuned!!

Stay Inspired & Connected
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With ink-stained gratitude,
Emily Ciecka