When I started Declutter for Good, I didn’t have an “ideal client” in mind. Three plus years in, across multiple age ranges and contexts, there is a particular group I especially love working with: artists. I’m not necessarily talking about professional artists; none of my current clients makes their living from their creative work. But they are all passionate about their crafts – glass- and ceramics-making, painting, and acting – and have, on occasion, won awards for them.

The most obvious upside to professional organizing with artists is getting to see, and enjoy, their work. It’s always rewarding to help clients identify a spot to display that vase they bought. It’s a totally different kind of reward to help them find just the right spot for the vase they envisioned, designed, and created. 

When I pointed out to the glassmaker that stacking the spectacular serving dishes she made on top of each other in her cabinet is hazardous – both to her and them – and that she currently couldn’t see them, she agreed, but asked what the alternative was. “How about we start by picking your three favorites and using them on the table, so you can see them?” The next day, she identified a storage rack that makes it easy to access all her lovely plates and bowls, keep them safe, and use them more often.

A more subtle, and perhaps even bigger upside, is helping them see their creative efforts in a new light. As we work together to turn chaos and clutter into cohesive systems, it becomes clear that my clients often lack a dedicated, organized area to work on these projects. This isn’t for lack of available space (even small houses have space), but rather a failure to appreciate the joy their “hobby” can bring. That’s where professional organizing really shines.

As my actor client and I sorted through her boxes and piles of papers, which had been scattered throughout the house, we celebrated each time we were able to place a script, playbill, award, or thank-you card from fellow cast members in the new basement studio we had created together. In a single session with my painter client (who also teaches), we reorganized her basement pantry and storage room to house all her art materials in one place. Now she can access her various types of paints, specific papers and canvases, special brushes, and even her “to-go bag” for open-air painting. 

Best of all, the newly organized physical spaces give these artists mental space to expand. My actor client is already in the process of enhancing her studio and auditioning for new roles. The glassmaker has taken up beading, for which we immediately developed a dedicated space that is easily tidied when she’s done for the day. The painter recently posted a series of small canvases she produced over a month, fulfilling a long-desired challenge project.

Every time I see these artist clients, they remind me how much joy our organizing has brought them and those around them. Being immersed in their beautiful creativity has also inspired me, as evidenced by the fresh sourdough on my kitchen counter, the lovely woolen throw on the sofa, the hand-made thank-you cards for colleagues, and my thriving herb garden.