I remember the first time an artist invited me into his studio. It was truly a reflection of his personality and experiences—full of memorabilia from his travels in and around his childhood hometown in the Deep South, and neat as a pin, just like him. Organizing your studio space so that it fosters creativity and enables you to make the most of your time can be a challenge. Although the solutions will vary for each of us, there are a few savvy tips and interesting approaches—similar to those you'll find from practicing artists who have gone through the same process and are featured in our latest special issue of Studios—that I wanted to share with you.

The best painters understand that they work to create an illusion. The sleight of hand that comes along with realist painting can be especially compelling when it hides in plain sight—when artists take on subjects that are almost diametrically opposed to the flat surface of their canvases and make paintings that resonate as powerfully as the subject itself.

Spring Thunder by Mark Haworth, 2008, oil, 24 x 36.

Sometimes it is difficult to put aside real-world stresses and tasks when it comes time to pursue our art. To-do lists, family matters, and social obligations crowd in, making it almost impossible to concentrate. One of the ways I clear my head is to really sink into my subject matter, spending time on close studies in which detail is key. Even if I don’t exactingly recreate everything that I see in front of me, I still tend to focus really hard, and that helps quiet all the clamoring in my head.

I'm always surprised-and, okay, a little peeved-when my mention of an arts background is often met with a puzzled look followed by the somewhat skeptical question, "What do you do with that?" The truth is there's a lot to do with that, especially now-at a time when images are all around us, where a website can so easily turn into an artist's own gallery and exhibition space, and because collectors, gallerists, publishers, and fans can easily find and follow artists whose work they respond to and respect.

With summer in full swing, I've been spending as much time as possible outdoors, going to concerts and plays, walking from place to place when I do my errands, and just finding every excuse for an outdoor excursion. Plein air painting is another perk of the season. There's something invigorating about stepping outside and sharing space with your subject matter-breathing the same air, seeing the same light, and having an in-the-moment experience with the landscape.