![](https://angeladesigns.nl/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/AngelaSmitLocatie29-25Y.jpg)
23 Jul My Mobile Workspace: Explained (ENG)
What is a Mobile Workspace?
So I wanted to create a Mobile Workspace, to take with me on walks so I could create art outside. It’s a cart, on wheels, to take with me outside. I can put it in my car, drive around, and take it out when I see a place where I would like to create art. I designed it so I could fit all the artist supplies I need in there.
![](https://angeladesigns.nl/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/AngelaSmitLocatie29-25Y-1024x683.jpg)
How did I came up with the idea?
For my art project ‘Sense of Place’ I went outside a lot. I walked around, trying to capture my surroundings. I then went inside to create art. Turned up the radio, got into the flow, looked through the windows a lot. So I thought it would be a better fit if I also could create art outside! That way I hoped not to get lost in my head, but instead be present.
At the end of the day, when I created everything I wanted to create, I turn the Mobile Workspace into an exhibition space. The drawes become floor elements and my stool becomes a padestal. It’s a temporary exhibition, much like how nature is impermanent.
![](https://angeladesigns.nl/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/AngelaSmitLocatie29-18R-1024x683.jpg)
How did I build it?
The first step was to decide what I wanted to take with me, in order to come up with a design. I have a few techniques I return to when I go to a location. So I wanted to fit the supplies I use for those techniques in there.
The second step was measuring how big it could be so it could fit in my car perfectly. The height, depth and length.
Then I drew a 3D shape in that size. I divided it in half: one side with drawers, one side with a big box to put bigger stuff in. The box I could then use as a stool for me to sit on while creating.
As step four I taped down the size of the drawers on a flat surface, put my materials in there and dicided how much drawers I needed and how high they all should be. Three drawers: for brushes and relatively flat items, one not that high: for all kinds of papers, one very high: for jars and other stuff that’s a bit high. That wat I could fit almost all materials per technique in a drawer. If that makes sense? Let me show some pictures!
Ather the design was ready, all the measurements were there I went to the construction market, bought wood and let them saw the pieces for me. I know I would never get it as straight as they did for me!
Ather that I went to my grandfather and he helped me put it all together. Again, if I would do it on my own it would never be as straight and neat as it turned out now (I’m too messy for neat and straight) . Besides that, I liked to create something with my grandfather. It was a special experience to do with him.
What art supplies go in there?
All the supplies I need can fit in there. I use them to create art with. In the end, when the creating is done, I turn it all into an exhibition, read below to find out what I need for all this. I try to fit all supplies for one technique in one drawer, but it’s not always possible.
First drawer
What’s in there: different papers to use for my monoprinting (big and small, heavy and not heavy, blank and with images or writing… I like to repurpose older papers/books) and some lined papers for writing.
![](https://angeladesigns.nl/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Angela-Smit-mobile-workspace01A-1024x768.jpg)
Second drawer
What’s in there: All things monoprinting. A gelli plate, a brush, a brayer, a piece of fabric to wrap it all in so it won’t dry out untill I can clean the paint off when I get home and a piece of wood to prevent the plate from slipping.
![](https://angeladesigns.nl/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Angela-Smit-mobile-workspace02B-1024x768.jpg)
Third drawer
What’s in there: All things eco-printing. A piece of fabric to print on, a few copper pipes to wrap it around and some jarn to tie it all together.
![](https://angeladesigns.nl/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Angela-Smit-mobile-workspace03C-1024x768.jpg)
Fourth drawer
What’s in there: All things cyanotype printing. Some paper pre-treated with a light sensitive emulsion (not in this picture beacause, well, it’s light sensitive), wooden surface and perspex surface to flatten the plants but let the light shine through.
![](https://angeladesigns.nl/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Angela-Smit-mobile-workspace04D-1024x768.jpg)
Fifth drawer
What’s in there: Almost everything else basically. Some wooden blocks to serve as paperweights, a pen, matches to light the gas, my art journal and a blue strap to tie around my cart to prevent the drawers to fall out when moving around.
For cyanotype: jar with water and soap.
For eco-printing: a bag to collect flowers and leaves, a jar with iron mordant
For monotype prints: a box with paints
![](https://angeladesigns.nl/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Angela-Smit-mobile-workspace05E-1024x768.jpg)
The big box
What’s in there: A pan, bottle of water, gas, wooden screen so the wind won’t blow out the flame and not to forget; my tripod to help document my process.
![](https://angeladesigns.nl/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Angela-Smit-mobile-workspace07G-1024x768.jpg)
Seperate backpack
What’s in there: an SLR camera, a polaroid camera and a digital camera.
Exhibition
What’s changeing: my stool becomes a pedestal, the drawers become floor pieces, the supplies I use can fit in the biggest drawer in the cart so everything looks nice and clean.
![](https://angeladesigns.nl/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/DSC_0170kAJ-1024x683.jpg)
How easy is it to take with me?
The most difficult about it is to lift it in and out of my car. It’s quite heavy, but I can always lift in on my own.
The cart has wheels, so when it’s out of the car I can easily steer it in the right direction. It works best on solid concrete or grass. The wheels don’t like sand and cobblestones.
I use some very strong yarn to pull the whole thing. I thought that would be more convenient because if I would push it, the wheels might get stuck in the grass or sand.
Thanks for reading along!
Thank you for reading with me! I hope you got a little more insight as in how and why I created this thing you see over at my instagram once in a while! I hope you enjoyed. If you have any questions or comments, please let me know! I’d love to hear from you and talk about art.