Where People Create: Arabella Proffer's Studio

What kind of Art/Crafts do you do?

I paint figures and portraits that get classified as somewhere between neorealism and pop surrealism. I work in oils on a pretty small scale.

Where do you do your art/crafts?

I have a studio I share with my best friend (who is a fiber artist) inside an old Templar car factory in Lakewood, Ohio. There’s still an active machinery in the building, but 2 floors have been converted to studios for all kinds of people.

How do you keep all your supplies organised?

I have little drawers and bins, but I keep everything out in the open most of the time. People are usually shocked how little I have in terms of paints, pencils, brushes and chemicals.

How do you keep yourself motivated to keep your space tidy?

I’m the opposite of a hoarder! I hate clutter. I’ve moved cities so many times that it helped to train me to throw things out or give them away if they are not needed. So far in my studio the only stupid non-essentials I have are a few pinatas and a collection of toys on one shelf. I really should use those pinatas, I kept meaning to fill them with booze candy.

Any tips for how to keep art spaces tidy or organised?

Limit the amount of furniture so that way there’s less space for clutter to accumulate. I have one desk, a few chairs, one tiny set of draws and a place for my books -- that’s it. I don’t buy in bulk, I only get supplies when I need them, and replenish when necessary. Taking things home and rotating is good (books, artwork, magazines) but it also helps to imagine, “what if I had to move tomorrow?” would you really pack up everything, or do a lot of things need to go?

Do you get stressed out when your space gets in a mess?

Oh yes! Especially being in an old factory, there’s concrete dust and lint stuff floating in the air, so I’m always dusting and it never ends. I’m like Joan Crawford, when I find a layer of dust or a cobweb anywhere I freak out. I’ve chilled out about it more recently, there’s only so much I can do.

If you could have your dream space tomorrow what would it look like?

The same as what I have, only with climate control (the sun in the summer is a bit much), and polished floors.

Is there any craft you would love to do but cant due to limitations of your art space?

I can do pretty much anything in my space, I wanted to do some screen printing, but I’m still on my oil painting kick and I don’t think it will stop anytime soon.