More Rooms
Creatives at Home: Jo Kaiser in Her Laid-Back Art Studio
This multi-purpose creative hub, supporting the art practice of Jo Kaiser, sits beneath her coastal home and is used by the whole family
Welcome to the light-filled art studio of mixed-media artist Jo Kaiser, in the sunny coastal town of Kingscliff in northern NSW. Located on the ground floor of her Queenslander-style home, it’s a space that’s full of heart, colour and joy and contains everything Kaiser needs to fuel her passion for making. Added to that, she’s beautifully fostering her children’s creativity in the process by welcoming them into the space to create their own works of art.
We take a look around Kaiser’s home studio, and find out how she’s successfully juggling the demands of life as a working artist and devoted mother of three.
We take a look around Kaiser’s home studio, and find out how she’s successfully juggling the demands of life as a working artist and devoted mother of three.
Kaiser refers to the space as her den, but it boasts generous windows and a view of the large backyard. The space is lockable and easily accessed via stairs at the back of the house, or via a door that connects to the garage at the front of the home. She loves the fact that this security makes it possible for her to leave all of her work and materials out, in between creative sessions.
This is especially useful, as her process for making requires periods for pause, particularly when working on a series. “I spend a lot of time letting one piece rest, contemplating it while working on another,” explains Kaiser.
This is especially useful, as her process for making requires periods for pause, particularly when working on a series. “I spend a lot of time letting one piece rest, contemplating it while working on another,” explains Kaiser.
When asked what are the most treasured items that inhabit the space, Kaiser is quick to point out it would have to be magazine cuttings from her teenage years, which she found, loved and has hung onto for years. Along with her favourite personal sketches. “I also love the inspirational items that I have down here – work by my favourite artists, ornaments that hold memories, photos, books and magazines that I love,” she says.
Kaiser knew she wanted to keep the studio open, without curtains blocking the windows, so that the outdoor area could be felt inside too. Incredible natural light reaches into the space, and Kaiser uses a spotlight for extra light if she’s working late at night.
The three words she would use to describe the space are; free, open and calming.
The three words she would use to describe the space are; free, open and calming.
Having a large table is a definite benefit, as it allows Kaiser to work on a few pieces at a time. “My inspiration board and the artwork made by my children also keeps me nurtured,” she says.
Located just a few metres away from ‘the making zone’ is a chill-out area fitted with a comfy couch and TV. “Having an area within this space that allows me to chill if I need to is important for me as an artist,” explains Kaiser. “As hard as it is sometimes I need to let my work ‘cook’.”
Jamie Peters, Kaiser’s nephew, also works as a graphic designer through his company Mammoth Design and regularly meets clients in here.
Jamie Peters, Kaiser’s nephew, also works as a graphic designer through his company Mammoth Design and regularly meets clients in here.
Another feature of the space Kaiser loves is the way it smells. With the constant brushstrokes of paint going onto canvases in the studio, the space has built up it’s own personal scent. “I smell the oil paint when I arrive and it’s great,” laughs Kaiser. She also says the things that she could not live without in her studio include her music, a blank canvas and any type of medium.
In making the space her own, Kaiser says it was vital that her mediums be out in the open and not hidden away. If they were kept in cupboards, she says she would forget what mediums she could use while halfway through a painting.
A variety of mediums are on hand for everyone in the family to use, housed on this metal shelving unit.
Encouraging quotes and written reminders help keep the creative process flowing. This quote is by Elizabeth Tanke, a local artist and mentor to Kaiser. “I have foundations, but I try not to limit myself and get stuck in the theory of ‘You can or can’t do that because so-and-so said so’,” she explains.
These portraits were painted 13 years ago as a homework task after Kaiser’s first lesson with Tanke. They are oil portraits of her children, and she keeps them as a reminder of how far she has come with her work.
Kaiser’s three kids also love the space, and being able to let their creative juices flow there. When the family comes together to work and play in the studio, Kaiser says the messier it is, the better. “No sign of a tidy studio when we are in there as a family,” she says.
Eldest daughter Drew studies art, and 15-year-old Molly loves having the sewing machine accessible for her school studies, as well as creative play.
Eldest daughter Drew studies art, and 15-year-old Molly loves having the sewing machine accessible for her school studies, as well as creative play.
Molly, seen sitting here at the sewing machine, whipped up this floral purse in a matter of minutes. The framed portrait hanging above her is one of Drew’s original works, completed at school and inspired by the styles of Picasso and Van Gogh.
Kaiser’s youngest child, 10-year-old Bowie, is able to draw to his heart’s content down here. Mum keeps a variety of mediums available for the kids to use and experiment with.
Like most creatives, Kaiser faces challenges and triumphs when working alone in her space. She says that every now and then the fear of not being able to create rears its ugly head. So she has learned to have no expectations and to just start with marks on the canvas.
“Once I start, I rest and start again, and I find the marks will flow. Late nights and 2am reflections over progress can sometimes be daunting, then the following morning I see where I left off. It can be exciting to see where the painting is leading me,” she says.
Setting her studio up in the way that she has is really conducive to this style of working. Added to that is the convenient location of the studio, right under her home. It’s an ideal space for this artist.
“Once I start, I rest and start again, and I find the marks will flow. Late nights and 2am reflections over progress can sometimes be daunting, then the following morning I see where I left off. It can be exciting to see where the painting is leading me,” she says.
Setting her studio up in the way that she has is really conducive to this style of working. Added to that is the convenient location of the studio, right under her home. It’s an ideal space for this artist.
The ‘One Love’ work on the wall behind Kaiser was painted by her late friend Jigger Johnson. She bought it to keep her memory of him alive.
TELL US
What is your favourite part of this shared creative space? Let us know in the Comments section.
MORE
Creatives at Home: Lucinda McKimm in Her Yoga Studio
Creatives at Home: Alice and Richie in Their Living Room Studio
Creatives at Home: Matt Walters in His Music Room
TELL US
What is your favourite part of this shared creative space? Let us know in the Comments section.
MORE
Creatives at Home: Lucinda McKimm in Her Yoga Studio
Creatives at Home: Alice and Richie in Their Living Room Studio
Creatives at Home: Matt Walters in His Music Room
Creative’s name: Jo Kaiser
Age: 42
Occupation: Artist and art consultant
Location: Kingscliff, NSW
What’s made here: Paintings, mixed-media art, sewing, graphic design for Mammoth Design and anything else creative.
Kaiser is one of those all-round creative types and her passion for art and craft is shared by her family. She has always pursued her own artistic practice on the side, while working full-time as a mum of three and an art consultant.
When the family moved into their four-bedroom rental home, Kaiser found it important to have a designated space where she could express her creativity, think freely and be surrounded by all of the things that most inspire her. In bringing this space to life, she’s not only created a studio that allows her to escape to her own little world, but has also enjoyed sharing it with her kids, as well as her nephew who runs his own graphic design business.