Featured: Sabina Fenn

Farmer's Market, Sabina Fenn

Toronto illustrator and artist Sabina Fenn has built a career celebrating the beauty found in everyday life. Represented by i2i Art Inc., her vibrant illustrations have attracted an impressive range of editorial, publishing and commercial clients, while her expanding fine art practice continues to explore new creative territory.

We caught up with Fenn to step inside her home studio—a bright, plant-filled space where sunlight, colour and carefully collected inspiration fuel everything from illustration commissions to oil paintings, prints and pottery.

Where is your studio?

In my home.

 What is a must-have for your workspace? 

Sunlight! I chose the room in the house that had the best sunlight, I think it energizes me and helps me focus. Also, lots of colour, I like to collect little things that inspire me, like wonky frames, or samples from projects I've done in the past, artworks from other artists, little notes and such that I put on a cork board, anything that makes me feel good.

Deck the Halls, Sabina Fenn

How have you made your space functional for your process?

As someone who does both illustration and fine art, as well as running my Etsy shop and printing in my studio, this was a little difficult to figure out at first, but I set aside a corner of the studio for oil painting, and the other side is for computer work, admin, printing and sketching new illustrations. Luckily, my studio has a little closet that fits both of my giant printers perfectly so I can hide them when they're not in use!

Tell us a bit about your computer setup.

I use an iMac. I also use a laptop for packing orders in my basement or working remotely, but having an iMac has been nice because it's more elevated, so I don't slouch as much over my computer, and because the screen is so large I think it helps when it comes to editing artwork as I use Photoshop so much.

Pretty Pears , Sabina Fenn

What ‘decorates’  your space? 

Plants! I have plants in every corner, on every wall and surface. I like to think they help purify the air (because I work with oils) but also because I'm someone who very much enjoys spending time in nature, I like to bring it into my house as much as I can. I have some natural wooden shelves that my partner built for me a few years ago where I keep books, my scanner, sketchbooks and more, but since it's all open I like to keep it pretty and tidy by grouping items together and displaying some candles, colourful pencil crayons, more plants and some photos.

Greenhouse, Sabina Fenn

What do you do to set the mood for work? 

In the winter I love to light a candle and get cozy with a cup of tea and my art supplies. In the summer I like to open the window, make sure my space is clean and fresh (sometimes easier said than done) and use some essential oils or burn a bit of incense. I think certain smells can sometimes train our brains into understanding when it's time to be creative. There's a specific candle I use that smells like eucalyptus and sage, now when I smell it I immediately feel like I'm in a mood to hunker down and make things.

Biking British Columbia, Sabina Fenn

What inspirational item is a must for your space?

I like to keep a vision board on the wall somewhere, it's hard to show up everyday and work if you don't have goals in place or something to work towards so having it on display helps keep me motivated. I haven't shared this with many people but when I first started my illustration career I put a fake cheque on the wall next to my desk which had a large amount written on it. I would look at it and try to imagine what it would be like to receive it. Not long after, my business was doing really well and I like to think it helped! A lot of what we do is based on our mindset.

Village, Sabina Fenn

What if anything would you change about your space? Any dream setups that you aspire to? 

I'd love more space! Haha. Since the pandemic I have so many hobbies and creative pursuits I almost feel like I need one giant studio because I'm slowly taking over the house! Between oil painting and illustration, printing and packing orders I also took up pottery about a year ago and have a small kiln and a wheel, all of which are in my basement but would be nice to have all in one area. I also love to crochet. Now that I am preparing for some art shows with my oil paintings, my studio gets really full of finished pieces before the shows!

Sabina Fenn W: sabinafenn.com |  IG: @sabinafenn | IN: sabinafenn

About i2i Art
i2i Art is an international illustration agency representing artists working across editorial, publishing, advertising, packaging, and brand communications. With a diverse roster of creative talent, the agency helps connect clients with illustrators who bring ideas to life.      W: i2iart.com  |  Instagram: @i2iart  | IN: i2iartinc

Sabina Fenn's studio is more than a place to work—it's an extension of her creative outlook. Filled with natural light, plants and objects collected with intention, the space reflects the warmth, curiosity and optimism found throughout her illustrations. Whether she's developing editorial commissions, preparing paintings for exhibition or experimenting with a new medium, Fenn continues to build a creative practice that feels as joyful as the work itself.