Artist in residence

Cory Godbey’s studio houses his collection of knick-knacks, Tolkien books and terrariums.

Welcome to my studio. My workspace is located in the walkout basement below my house. Since it’s mostly underground, the studio stays cool during the summer and I keep a fire going during the winter. I love working from home, because I’m not-so-secretly a hermit, and prefer the company of my wife and son, along with our gang of cats.

Beyond the door is my outdoor studio: gardens, woods and a treehouse. Before I get to work each morning, I spend a little time outside, walking the paths through the woods, checking on my bird feeders and watering the plants. Later in the day, you might find me in the treehouse, answering emails or taking client calls.

In the main room I have my workstations: a drafting table under the window with ample natural light, and a section of desks for digital work and administrative tasks, a large scanner, and several flat files. Whether for clients and personal projects, my work is typically a mix of traditional and digital, so it’s helpful to have these workstations separated but close at hand.

The fireplace and sitting area is where you’ll find some sketchbooks and art reference scattered about, and usually a cat or two lying on top of whatever I’m trying to work on. The wall of built-in bookshelves is perfect for showcasing my favourite books and varied collections. Off the main area, a smaller room is used for assembling and shipping prints. My convention materials live

in a storage closet, and the bathroom is handy for rinsing out brushes.

Having the proper set-up for an artist is just like choosing any other tool. You have to find what works best for you and make it your own. Feeling at home in my studio helps me to create better and work smarter.

Cory creates fanciful illustrations for books and films. His award-winning work has been featured in the likes of Spectrum: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art and The Society of Illustrators. See his art at www.corygodbey.com.

Any proper hermit knows a fireplace is essential. You can lurk around the woods gathering firewood, poke at the embers when you’re in a foul mood, and even cook over it if you’re trying to avoid human contact. I also use the fireplace to burn bad...

Access to some quiet green space is essential for my sanity and creativity. I’ll meander around my garden, coffee mug in hand, dictating emails while I check the growth on recent plantings. The treehouse offers more seclusion, perfect for when I’m deep...

Artist in residence 24

The crown jewel of my mantle is an original oil painting by Annie Stegg Gerard. I’m in love with her masterful depiction of a unicorn foal, and my delight in the subject matter is matched only by my desire to steal all her painting secrets. The wall of...

This handmade leather mask was made by artisans Shane and Leah Odom. It watches over my scanner and sometimes I put it on just to make life more interesting for the studio cats. (No, I don’t.) I was honoured to win the Spectrum Gold Award for my piece,...