Just as there are countless ways to create art, there are a number of different ways to use easels as well.  Easels can be big or small, tall or short, wide or very narrow.  There is such diversity across the easel spectrum because art and other creative pursuits don’t typically have limits on dimensions either.  If for some reason you have an extra easel lying around, or perhaps even have an abundance of easels but no current use for them, you can consider trying any of the following ways of taking advantage of such a versatile piece of equipment.

Free Painting

One way to encourage use of an easel is to leave a blank canvas on it at all times.  Stock some art supplies of any kind around the easel, even leftovers if that’s all you have.  Then, you’ll always have a space in your house to indulge any creative impulses.  Perhaps you are waiting for the laundry to dry and want to throw some watercolors down on paper to keep you busy.  Or maybe you had an idea that just popped into your head and you don’t want to lose it, so you pick up a brush and put it on paper really quickly.  When art is forced, it doesn’t always work, so encouraging free art impulses is a great way to utilize an extra easel (or two).

Displaying Art

An easel doesn’t have to be used for your own creative impulses either.  You can use one to display a painting or a print of one that really draws you in.  Using an easel for the purpose of displaying art, rather than just hanging a picture on a wall, is a great way to bring the art down to a more personal level.   In some ways, it can almost feel as though the painter himself is working on the piece of art in your own living room, which is cool in its own right.

Note Taking

If art isn’t really on your mind as of late, the easel can serve yet another major purpose.  Easels are large and can hold canvases or giant sheets of paper, all materials that are perfectly sized for keeping notes and thoughts.  Need to remember an appointment but never check your calendar?  A giant note written in red marker on a blank canvas can hardly be missed, particularly if you keep your easel in a fairly prominent area of the house.  And who knows… perhaps when you’re ready to stop taking notes and start painting, you’ll turn to the easel again and unleash your creativity upon it.