Step Into My World: A Day in My Studio

My studio days rarely look the same, but they all follow a similar rhythm. This is where I spend most of my time making, overthinking, cleaning, and making a mess. So if you have ever wondered what a day in my studio actually looks like, here’s a little peek behind the scenes.

7:00 – Slow start (with coffee, obviously)
The day starts with the kettle on. I can’t even function without a coffee first; it’s a non-negotiable. While I drink it, I do all the boring but necessary bits: checking my planner, figuring out what needs to be done, and replying to any emails or messages that have come in overnight.

9:00 – Into the studio
I’m ready to head into the studio, which usually means confronting the mess I left behind the day before. My first job to do: clean up.

I’m currently working on my Spring collection, and I’m in the middle of my biggest piece for it–an espresso martini in a funky green glass, with a bottle of Kahlúa and Absolut Vanilia vodka behind it. Today’s goal is to finish the Absolut bottle, which means tackling the top of the bottle and all of the text.

I haven’t mapped anything out. No outlines, no plan. I’m just going to wing it. 

10:00 – Colour mixing time
Once the studio’s clean, it’s time to plan my colours for the day. I always premix everything before I start painting, for a few reasons: it keeps my colours clean and vibrant, helps me avoid stopping and starting mid-flow, and gives me time to really sit with and analyse my reference.

I never copy my references exactly. I like to exaggerate or bring out colours you wouldn’t expect, so slowing down here really matters.

For this painting, I’m using: rose, ultramarine, cadmium yellow pale hue, viridian, cerulean, and titanium white.

11:30 – Mixed + messy
All my colours are mixed for the day. It takes a long time, but I genuinely enjoy this part; it’s messy and kind of meditative. I clean myself up and take a short break before starting my painting session.

12:00 – Painting begins
Time to paint.

The text on the bottle feels pretty intimidating, especially when I already like how the painting underneath is looking. The important thing here is not to get precious or too stiff with it. This painting is a little loose, and the bottle isn’t the main focal point. If I make the lettering too perfect, it could pull attention away from where I want it to be.

14:00 – Bottle finished!
The bottle is done! All that’s left now is the background. I’m not 100% sure how I want to approach it yet, but I love how the pink clashes with the green, so I definitely want to let that colour pop through.

I’m heading out of the studio for a bit, so it’s time for a good cleanup– scraping the palette, wiping everything down, and cleaning my brushes (my least favourite job). I never feel like they’re fully clean, no matter what I do. I use linseed oil to lift the pigment, wipe off the excess, rinse them in Pro-Solv, and if they need a deeper clean, I finish with dish soap and warm water.

15:00 – Admin mode
Everything’s clean, so I switch gears. I have a couple of workshops coming up, so I write lesson plans and print off references and resources.

By 16:30, I can finally put my feet up and relax. Studio day complete.

Thanks for spending the day with me in my studio!