Five Things I Love: Studio Edition

for #newyorkerstudio

Today, New Yorker cartoonists are posting photos of their studios on instagram under the hashtag #newyorkerstudio. Here’s a peek into my studio, and five of my favourite things in it.

Earlier this year, I got professional headshots taken in a photography studio, but I soon after realized that I wanted photos in my actual workspace for my website, because I feel so much more “me” here. I took these with tripod, holding my beloved Quentin Blake book, next to the fiddle leaf fig I have painstakingly nurtured over many years. (Not pictured: the permanent black ink stains I got on these pants within minutes)

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The “studio” is really just one half of the guest bedroom in our home, but I love it and I’ve managed to make it a functional, inspiring haven over the past few years, full of all of the things that I love.

1. Mug warmer

This thing is wizardry. Nothing says “TIME TRAVEL!” and also “am I…. rich????” quite like taking your first sip of tea in 4 hours and having it still be piping hot.

2. This ergonomic foot rest, which is really just a box that a shipment of picture books came in

On sad days, it is proof that I have done cool things before and will continue to do them. Also, #upcycle

3. My drafting desk

The image of “artist” i had in my head as a child always included a drafting desk, so it didnt feel official until I got this bad boy in 2019. I keep a big roll of paper on top which encourages me to freely doodle and sketch on the side of my actual work, and I repurposed my Covid-era ring light as a drawing lamp.

4. “Syrup Trap” supplement, from the 2015 summer edition of Geist magazine

The Syrup Trap was a short-lived but wonderful, wonderful Canadian humour publication that I got to work on with my friends. It was the first time I illustrated comics for publication, learned it was possible to submit cartoons to the New Yorker, and started to consider what a life as a cartoonist might actually look like. This is still the only magazine “cover” i’ve ever illustrated.

5. The cup that holds my dry erase markers ft. awkward law graduation photo

Never forget your roots.

6. My dog’s selfie wall

the dog hanging out on laundry day

Prints by Julie Flett, Scott Campbell, and Jed Henry. The 19384849 photos I have of my dog napping on the guest bed are all very beautifully composed! Also woops, I suppose this is 6 things and not 5.

Expanding into this room, and letting it become an extension of myself, has been gradual but so rewarding. What a true luxury to get to suit my workspace to whatever creative direction I am heading at the moment, instead of the other way around.

my “studio” in my first apartment in 2015 (spot the Syrup Trap on the left)

xo Zoe

Baby Zoe + some wisdom from George Saunders. <3