Art Supply Addiction: Flat Files

Hi, my name is Janae, and I'm an art supply addict.

By supply, please don't just think of pencils, papers, brushes, paint. Feel free to include drafting tables, bookcases and my favorite...FLAT FILES! I have such an obsession with these, that I decided to do a whole post dedicated to them. Maybe I'll write a series of posts...because each one has a special place in my heart...

It doesn't really matter that I have a 29 1/2" x 40 1/2" black metal flat file with 5 drawers,

or a behemoth 36x45 1/2" wood flat file with 10 drawers.

I love them all. I google flat file images. I browse them on craigslist. I pin them. It doesn't matter that their use is rather limited. They are coveted by artists and the going rate for a 5 drawer flat file around here starts at $150 on craigslist. I'm still addicted.


Maybe one day I can have a coffee table again, and turn a flat file into one like this...
(source: http://www.designsponge.com/2011/05/sneak-peek-jordan-carlson.html)

 

Or I can put it in a dining room and put really cool wine on top. 

(source: http://www.factory20.com/storage/vintage-industrial-1890s-wood-flat-files/)

Or I could paint mine black and put craft supplies in it.
(source: http://www.pinkpaislee.com/2011/09/studio-tour-featuring-rebecca-cross/)

 Look how organized this is! She states on her blog that printer trays fit perfectly in them. I had to google that since I was envisioning my canon color printer.

Ahhh...I don't have the guts to do this to my flat file, but this person aged this flat file on purpose, taking a perfectly fine metal flat file and making it rusty. It looks absolutely awesome!
(source: http://anachronisticdecay.blogspot.com/)

 Just check out the wheels!



And of course, let's take a look at Martha's collection...
(source: http://homedesign.marthastewart.com/2012/01/marthas-homekeeping-room.html)

While this isn't your traditional flat file, it does provide good ideas. I could easily build a hutch on top to hold craft paper. I think she was reading my mind...because I was totally searching on craigslist for a heavy duty craft paper cutter. You know...when people come by my studio to buy my art, I'll have to wrap the frames. It could happen...

Again with the organization in the drawers...paint brushes, pencils, etc...

 Magnetic strip on the side...for something...that I haven't thought of yet...oooh...framing gun maybe? I'll just go around the studio with a heavy duty magnet and anything that sticks will have a home.

 Craft paper and tissue paper. Oh, and twine! In case I have to ship my art!

And of course, the bags have to be stored somewhere.

 So, am I the only one that's addicted to flat files?

Art Forums

The previous post about art websites required me to go to those sites to grab the link and post here. I found that one of the websites I was going to include didn't have my art. Oops. I guess I decided not to use them, but it's a website that may be useful to others and I think the community there is awesome of you take part.

I've listed three forums I browse for information and inspiration.

DeviantArt - I'm not sure what the demographic is for this site, but it might be younger than me. Just the name sounds like a high school and early college demographic. However, there are some useful reference photos that can be found here, as long as you read what the photography will allow in terms of copyright.

ScribbleTalk -I have a soft spot for this site since this was THE website that inspired me to return to art. It was totally by accident and only due to a username matching a google search. The site is full of talented artists, mostly colored pencil artists, but there are sections for charcoal, pastel and pen. It's mainly a site for art made with a "drawing technique".

Wetcanvas - I've saved my favorite for last. I tell everyone I know about this site. It's for ALL artists and it's large enough to accomodate everyone while still allowing you to get acquainted with other artists similar to you.

It's a massive forum with subforums for each medium and each subject. It's sort of like having cable, where you can choose which channels to watch...Here's about HALF of what they have:

 


So, I browse the following forums:

• Drawing and Sketching 
• Colored Pencil
• Pastel
• Portraiture
• Studio Tips and Framing
• General Art Business

and many many others.
The reference library on wetcanvas is a great resource as well. Artists add photos there for others to use in their art. You can find anything from countrysides to cityscapes and everything in between.

I know there are many many other websites out there, but these are the ones I've gone to the most.

Art Websites

It seems I've created profiles on most of the art websites, but there is one that has stood out among the others in terms of professionalism, pizazz (did I just use that word?), and user friend...li...ness...(I told you I'm not a writer, but you get my point, right?). I've listed three that I've used in the past/present...

 Zazzle - I use zazzle to order my own magnets, since they seem reasonably priced. The magnets are hefty things, not just a magnetized business card. The kind you actually buy in stores nice. I don't really sell anything there, so I can't comment on any of those aspects, but I do offer notecards and magnets.

CafePress - one of the first sites I added my art, mainly for notecards, but I got too crazy with the other merchandise, so I added tshirts and some other items. Honestly, I can't tell you what's there right now. The website became too time consuming and confusing to me...too many choices muddled my mind. I think it's easier now to navigate, but I haven't taken the time to play around. I did sell a few things there, but I think mainly tshirts.

Fine Art America - one of my favorite places because of simplicity. It's just a site to sell/buy prints, originals, and cards. Period. I have most of my art there (which isn't saying a whole lot). It does not have any of my earlier pieces - either because I don't have a high resolution image to upload, or because it didn't make sense to put a portrait on there if I sell prints. To be honest, I've sold one thing, and it made my month! I mean, really, I'm an artist! I'm just another guppy in a sea of guppies and fish and...whales. Anytime someone takes time to look at my art (in a good way) makes my day.

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EDIT: In order to create this post, I had to go to my websites to get the links. CafePress has updated quite a bit! I may have to add more stuff there, but I might take out those aprons...