Welcome to Toronto’s east end! Katy Dockrill takes us on a tour of her beloved studio, filled with natural light, a furry companion and lots of creative energy. It’s easy to see what keeps Katy inspired and illustrating.
Where is your studio?
In Toronto, on the second floor of our home, with a window that is east facing. It used to be a bedroom, but we converted it.
What is a must-have for your work space?
Good lighting, easy access to all my books/files and hidden storage for all those extra things.
How have you made your space functional for your process?
I have 2 desks, one for my computer/scanner/printer and one for drawing. I use a somewhat comfy/ugly office chair that I recovered with a floral fabric on the back and a sheepskin rug on the seat at the computer desk, and I sit on an old sewing table stool with my feet propped up on a wooden box while I draw. The stool/draw set up isn't ideal, but it's what works in the space, plus I don't want to trade in my fantastic oak wood table find for something new.
Tell us a bit about your computer set up.
I use procreate on my ipad to draw, and transfer my files to my mac and work in photoshop. My 2 desks are right beside each other, so when I'm done drawing on my one desk, I airdrop my work to my computer which sits on the other desk. I used to exclusively work in brush and ink, and then scan my work, and work in photoshop, (which I loved and still love), but it can be really time consuming, so I've found and created brushes in procreate that simulate how I'd work traditionally. I also have an HP laser jet printer and an old Epson perfection 3490 photo scanner.
What ‘decorates’ your space?
My studio is made up of found furniture/second hand pieces and functional items to house all the stuff I use (books/collections/sketch pads/paints.etc.). It's definitely always a work in process, one that I just try to keep neat, but I do have some paintings from various artists, including my work, on the walls to make the space cozy. The best thing we recently made/installed is a new open shelving unit to house a lot of my books/paints/photos and figurines. It's now the focus of my room, and makes me happy when I walk in.
What do you do to set the mood for work?
I like to listen to spotify while working. It's a mix of melancholic music/new wave/ from the 80s, bands like The Cure/New Order/The Smiths, somewhat newer music from bands like Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever/Elbow/Air/Pheonix/MGMT and newer synth bands like Nation of Language. Every once in a while I'll listen to a podcast (I really like Smartless and the Ongoing History of New Music with Alan Cross).
What inspirational item is a must for your space?
There isn't any one thing I need, but I surround myself with things I like to look at, like old recipe card holder boxes, or a jar of buttons. I love it when my cat decides to hang out, which isn't really inspirational, but keeps me present.
What if anything, would you change about your space? Any dream setups that you aspire to?
If budget was no issue, I'd love a whole floor to call my studio, which would include a space to lounge, a space to do yoga, a reading nook, a napping bed, large north facing windows, a sink to wash brushes, get water, a place for the cat (besides my window, or my lap) and definitely a huge work table where I could have all my friends over to draw/craft, or work on sewing projects......that would be AMAZING.
View Katy Dockrill’s illustration. Represented by i2i Art.