I’ve been feeling a pull to create an art altar in my studio for a while now. Writing this is as much for me as it is for you - a little nudge to finally give it form. I think of it as a beautiful opportunity to be creative in a different way, something dynamic and evolving that you can add to, change out, or refresh whenever the mood strikes.
Sometimes our creative spirit just needs a small corner that whispers, this is your sacred space. An art altar doesn’t have to be elaborate, it’s simply a place where you gather objects, images, and colors that remind you of your creative self and what you’re calling in.
A Gentle Way to Begin
Choose a space: maybe a shelf, a small table, or even just a windowsill. Pick somewhere you’ll see often.
Select a base: lay down a scarf, a piece of fabric, or a sheet of handmade paper to define the space.
Gather meaningful objects: stones, feathers, seashells, a bloom from your garden, or a small piece of your art. Let them be things that speak directly to your heart.
Add images or words: a photograph, a favorite quote, or a card you’ve created. Something that reminds you of the beauty you’re weaving through your art.
Light the space: if it feels right, add a candle, a strand of fairy lights, or even a small glass jar that catches the sun.
Your altar can shift with the seasons or reflect the projects you’re working on. Think of it as a living collage, always evolving, always mirroring where you are in your creative journey.
✨ Try this: Before you begin creating, pause at your art altar. Take a breath, touch one of the objects, and set an intention. Notice how it changes the energy of your art-making.
This week, I’ve begun my own altar with just a few sentimental things. I know it will grow and change over time. If you decide to make one too, I’d love to hear what special objects you choose. It feels comforting to know that even in our separate spaces, we can be building these little corners of beauty together.
Creative Check-In
One of the things I love about creating an art altar is how it reminds us that the objects we surround ourselves with carry meaning. They hold memories, stories, even unspoken feelings. Sometimes just noticing what we’re drawn to place in that little sacred corner tells us something about where we are in our healing or creative journey.
Here are a few gentle questions you might sit with as you prepare your art altar:
If you were to place one symbol of how you’re feeling today on your altar, what would it be?
What’s one object you might add to remind you of hope, rest, or joy?
What object could serve as a reminder of your creativity when you’re feeling stuck?
Take a few quiet minutes with these questions. Notice what comes to mind without judgment. You might even gather the objects that arise and hold them in your hands before deciding if they belong on your altar. Sometimes the act of choosing is itself a form of self-care and creative healing.
It doesn’t need to be complicated—a stone, a flower past its prime, a candle, or a paintbrush still carrying yesterday’s colors. Notice what it represents for you. Does it speak of joy, grief, transition, or the need for rest?
Allow yourself to sit with it. If you feel called, journal a few words about why you chose it, or bring it into your art-making—trace its shape, collage a photo of it, or let its colors guide your next layer.
Checking in with ourselves through objects and symbols is a gentle way to honor what we’re holding inside, without needing to explain it all in words.
If you create an altar, I’d love to see or hear what you chose. It’s always a gift to witness the meaningful objects others are drawn to.
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With heart,
P.S. If you’re not sure which one to start with, feel free to send me a note. I’m always happy to chat with you about where you are in your creative journey.
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I live and create on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabeg peoples, lands that remain under their original stewardship. I honor their enduring connection to this place and their care for it over generations.
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