Shop: Mirilovelove
Owner: Erin McManness
How does your studio reflect your style?Haha, I think I like living in organized mess. I like things with a lot of details, and I like to have beautiful things surround me when I'm working.
What is the favorite part of your studio?
My worktable is probably my favourite part. It was given to me very generously by my aunt, and it is an awesome worktable. Lots of space to work, smooth surface. My other worktable was gifted to me by my good friend from school Dave, and it's so nice to have the room to move from one table to the other to work on multiple projects at once (which I do frequently)!
What pieces in your studio inspire you?
Some of my studio photos have pieces from Toulouse-Lautrec and Gustav Klimt, which are two of my absolute favourite artists. My Klimt piece was given to me by my very talented friend Amy, and it's huge. It hangs over my sofa and makes me happy all the time :) I also have several postcards and doodles from when I lived in Italy, pinned to the wall by my worktable. Finally, I have a little frame with different compartments, and it houses little knick-knacks that I've collected over time from traveling, or things of sentimental value.
Do you have any handmade or vintage decor pieces?
I have really tried to start thrifting and up-cycling as often as I can, especially since I am on a grad-school budget. I think my workspace is a mish-mash of things I have made, or thrifted. Most of my handmade things were made by me; when I buy from other handmade sellers, it's usually to give gifts.
What is favorite color palette and how did you implement this in your space?
Aqua and coral are definitely favourites, but I have found more and more that I like splashes of gold, coral, and black together. I actually am about to move out of my current space and into a new one. For this space, I was actually only on a 6-month lease, so I didn't allow myself to get as "comfortable" as I would have liked with decorating. However, when I move in a few weeks, I will be there for a year, so I think I will be able to make it more home-y, and want to implement a lot more colour into my place.
What is the one tool used in your creation process you treasure the most?
Absolutely hands-down, my sketchbook. I keep a bunch of sketchbooks at once, usually for different purposes, but I have one that I do all of my planning, list-making, and personal doodles in. I also have one mostly for life-drawing and observational work, and a little one that I handmade for plane rides. Sketching and planning is a huge part of my process, both in my jewelry and in my illustration, so to lose my sketchbook would be like losing a part of myself.
What are the books or magazines that inspire you?
The biggest inspiration for me is ImagineFX. It is a digital art/painting magazine that features artists (I was featured in January) and gives great tutorials from pros in the illustration industry. I started reading it a number of years ago, and it is what made me want to become an illustrator. I am also very inspired by art history books (particularly pre-modern art), books on symbols and hidden meanings in art, and fashion books. I really love fashion illustration, and runway reports always inspire me.
What changes/upgrades would you like to make in the future?
As I mentioned, I am moving in a few weeks, so I'd like to create more permanent storage space for my supplies and tools, and I'd like to decorate a little bit more. One day, when I am settled down into an actual house, I would like a whole studio room with amazing natural light, a big worktable for jewelry, and a little space where I can finally oil paint again. I was originally trained as a painter, and I ended up having a conversation the other night about it and realized how much I missed it.
I have really tried to start thrifting and up-cycling as often as I can, especially since I am on a grad-school budget. I think my workspace is a mish-mash of things I have made, or thrifted. Most of my handmade things were made by me; when I buy from other handmade sellers, it's usually to give gifts.
What is favorite color palette and how did you implement this in your space?
Aqua and coral are definitely favourites, but I have found more and more that I like splashes of gold, coral, and black together. I actually am about to move out of my current space and into a new one. For this space, I was actually only on a 6-month lease, so I didn't allow myself to get as "comfortable" as I would have liked with decorating. However, when I move in a few weeks, I will be there for a year, so I think I will be able to make it more home-y, and want to implement a lot more colour into my place.
What is the one tool used in your creation process you treasure the most?
Absolutely hands-down, my sketchbook. I keep a bunch of sketchbooks at once, usually for different purposes, but I have one that I do all of my planning, list-making, and personal doodles in. I also have one mostly for life-drawing and observational work, and a little one that I handmade for plane rides. Sketching and planning is a huge part of my process, both in my jewelry and in my illustration, so to lose my sketchbook would be like losing a part of myself.
The biggest inspiration for me is ImagineFX. It is a digital art/painting magazine that features artists (I was featured in January) and gives great tutorials from pros in the illustration industry. I started reading it a number of years ago, and it is what made me want to become an illustrator. I am also very inspired by art history books (particularly pre-modern art), books on symbols and hidden meanings in art, and fashion books. I really love fashion illustration, and runway reports always inspire me.
What changes/upgrades would you like to make in the future?
As I mentioned, I am moving in a few weeks, so I'd like to create more permanent storage space for my supplies and tools, and I'd like to decorate a little bit more. One day, when I am settled down into an actual house, I would like a whole studio room with amazing natural light, a big worktable for jewelry, and a little space where I can finally oil paint again. I was originally trained as a painter, and I ended up having a conversation the other night about it and realized how much I missed it.
For more information about Mirilovelove, check the below links:
SPECIAL OFFER: Erin offers all AZ Life and Style readers a 10% discount on any items in her shop. All you have to do is enter the AZCREATIVESPECIAL coupon at checkout.
More art studio tours can be seen here.
5 comments:
What a bright space! It's always interesting to see where others work and live.
Etsy Blog Team
What a light and airy studio! I've been admiring Erin's work for quite some time now! Sweet kitty:)
Very cool space! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much, Ali! And everyone for their kind comments :) :)
What a fantastic interview and beautiful studio. Truly inspiring. The post is well formated as well. Bravo all around.
Hillery
Stopping by from the Etsy Blog Team!
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