Drawn In Co-Working at GRIT Studios: The importance of shared spaces and creative connection
It’s funny how these months seem quick and lazy all at once. August felt that way. We didn’t get much sun here in the North, but the lilac evenings made up for it. There’s a certain magic in watching a city sneak into dusk, a peacefulness in sitting by the sea, and spending rainy afternoons with fellow creatives. I’ve been documenting it all, of course, and taking stock of what this summer has taught me. You can read more about it on my Substack, where I shared some of my summer sketchbook pages during my trip by the sea. In this post, I’m sharing a little about our recent Drawn In co-working day. A warm, inspiring time spent with fellow illustrators in the heart of Manchester that reminded me of how much I’ve come to value working with others. It’s funny how collaboration, even in the simplest sense, can spark new ideas and breathe fresh life into our solitary practices. Here's what I learned from that day.
Making art can be such a solitary thing, can’t it? You sit, you think, you go deep within yourself. It’s a journey inward, to the quiet corners of a creative mind. But what I’ve really come to appreciate, is that I don’t want to stay there alone. I crave the quiet moments of connection too, not in the sense of shared work, but in shared space and shared conversations. That’s what I loved most about art school. Although we would work on our individual projects, we worked on them in a shared space. Just knowing someone else was there, also creating, was enough. There was this lovely, unexpected inspiration in passing someone’s sketches on the wall that had been ripped out of their sketchbook, glimpsing a corner of another artist’s process, or exchanging thoughts and ideas by the water cooler. Life drawing is another outlet that gives me this same feeling, where we work in silence, but each of us tapping into our creativity in mutual, silent synergy.
I’ve been so lucky this year to be part of Drawn In, Manchester illustrators’ collective. It’s been a year now since we launched the community (you can read about our launch night here), and it’s been such a gift. We created the group because we felt that connection in Manchester’s art community was missing. We wanted to build a space for illustrators to share their worries, hopes, and dreams, and to remind ourselves that we aren’t alone in feeling them.
At our first event, something that came up again and again was the desire for more a collaborative workspace. Somewhere to work together and bounce ideas off of each other. Thanks to John Cooper, a Manchester illustrator and member of GRIT studios, we were invited to host our August event at this collaborative space in the heart of the city. Working amongst friends, the event offered an opportunity to discuss current projects, to share how we work similarly, and how we work differently. Soaking it all in, as the gentle patter of August rain accompanied our conversations, I found it a wholesome and nourishing time to just to be with fellow creatives. There’s something special about those conversations, the ones that unfold naturally and without agenda. You never know what gem might come from them.
I used to be the artist who tucked herself away, isolated in a room, thinking that’s how the best work got done. But working this way never filled me up. This year, I’ve made a conscious effort to step out, to surround myself with other creatives, and nourish that part of me that craves connection. When I first started freelancing, I wasn’t shy about talking about my loneliness. There were periods when it hit me hard. The more I’ve pushed myself to get out there, the more I realise I’m just quietly extroverted, and thrive on spending time with other people. I need to express my ideas, and time to breathe and share my inner thoughts with other artists. Making connection a priority this year hasn’t just supported my mental health, but overall I feel more balanced and well-rounded in my practice.
We don’t grow in a vacuum. Trust me, I’ve tried it! Creativity thrives on connection, whether that’s the shared excitement of a new project, or just a new set of paintbrushes. So, if you’re looking for it, here are a few ways you can find connection and support in your community:
Join a life drawing class, sketchbook group, or art club. You’ll be meeting other creatives regularly, and can bond over your mutual love of a shared activity.
Find a studio to work in outside of your home. A change of scenery does wonders for the creative mind, and can add breathing time to your week if you tend to work alone.
Apply for mentorship. I had a mentor when I left university, and now I have my agent. This is someone you can bounce ideas off, and trust they will give you honest and helpful feedback that keeps you moving in the right direction.
Engage with your online community. Instead of just liking posts, try leaving a thoughtful comment, ask questions, and start a conversation.
Draw on location. You can be creative in cafes, parks, museums - anywhere! Not only does this one aid observational work, but you’re be surrounding yourself with community.
Attend events. There are book fairs, talks, art festivals going on all the time in our cities. I keep an eye on Eventbrite to see what’s coming up in my local area.
I can’t wait for our next event at the beautiful House of Books and Friends. It’ll be a good one - myself and my agent, Mark Mills will be hosting the talk all about children’s publishing! If you’re in the area, be sure to stop by! Let’s chat, share a drink, and find some new inspiration together.
Until then, C x