Studio Tools

I might have a bit of a tool addiction as I absolutely love them!  These are the typical pieces I use in my studio, though I did forget to add my bone folder which is used a lot and paint rollers of different sizes, and didn't include the power tools from the garage - drill/screwdriver, hand sander, mitre saw and jigsaw.  I think for the most part the tools are self explanatory, but I should explain a couple.  The frame point driver is for framing finished artwork and the brayer, barren and bench hook are for printmaking.  The driver secures artwork into the back of a picture frame.  The brayer is used to ink a carved stamp or print, the barren is used to press paper onto an inked carving, and the bench hook is used to hold the printmaking linoleum or other carving material while carving an image and then used to roll out ink for application.

I know I have way too many hobbies though I am grateful that I am able to utilize much of these tools in my paintings and altered books in some way.  There used to be so much more, which I have donated to other artists and art programs, but these are the tools which I haven't been able to let go.  I don't use the pipe cutter much but am sure I will again.  The same goes for the glass cutting tools.  The rasps I used many years ago when I studied stone carving with a Cree sculptor and they have come in handy many times since.  I have given jewellery making a try on several occasions but don't like working so small and detailed though the tools still come in handy, especially with altered books.

Mostly I wanted to share these tools to show how many different courses I have take throughout the years, from carving and glass to ceramics and stamping. Even though I don't practice most of these art forms, I found that the workshops benefited my creative practice in some way.  And, really, in the end they were so much fun.