I’ve never been a gadget-for-every-job kind of gal.

I like simple things.

In watercolor, I rely on one dependable chisel brush for loose washes and a single sable round for detail. Two brushes. That’s it.

In oils, I reach for a palette knife to get all that texture I love.

Simple tools. Familiar motions.

And for mixing color, I return again and again to the basics — red, yellow, and blue. With just those three, I can find luscious greens, glowing violets, and vibrant oranges.

So what makes my artist’s toolbox unexpected?

After more than thirty years of painting, I’ve learned this:

creativity doesn’t come from having more tools — it comes from being willing to try something different with what’s already nearby.

Here are ten unlikely things that have earned a permanent place in my toolbox — and a quiet role in my creative process.

10 Unexpected Things in an Artist's Tool Box

1. Needle-nose pliers

Perfect for squeezing the very last bit of paint from a tube. A reminder that there’s almost always more to work with than we think.

2. Wooden shish-kabob skewers

The appetizer size — about six inches — is ideal for mixing paint. Precise, simple, and surprisingly satisfying.

3. Clear acetate sleeves

I cut stencil shapes into them and use a damp sponge to lift dry watercolor paint.

It’s my favorite way to reclaim light in an overworked area — flowers, tree bark, boats, buildings.

4. Rubber cement

Messy. Ooey-gooey. Unpredictable.

I drip it, string it, fling it.

Once removed, it leaves behind unexpected patterns and movement.

Control loosens. Magic sneaks in.

5. Cheesecloth, lace, dollies

-- any fabric scraps with texture are in my toolbox.

I like to coat the fabric with paint, press it onto the paper, dab with a paper towel to soak up excess moisture, and then peel off the textile.

It's a printmaking technique that gives texture to the painting.

6. A Magic Eraser

When adding more paint isn’t the answer, I gently scrub instead.

Good paper and canvas are tougher than we think — just like us.

7. Five-minute epoxy

If you’re working with collage and metallic elements, this keeps things anchored.

Creativity sometimes needs commitment.

8. A credit card (not for shopping)

Its straight edge and slight flexibility create lines and textures I can’t get with a brush.

It stamps, drags, and surprises me every time.

9. My hands

All ten fingers.

For collage glue, blending paint, and feeling my way through transitions.

My hands may not live inside the toolbox — but they guide everything else.

10. Goof-Off

Because creativity is messy.

And sometimes the paint ends up on me instead of the canvas.

A small kindness for cleanup goes a long way.

What This Toolbox Really Holds

At first glance, this might look like a quirky list of studio tricks.

But what it really represents is a mindset.

Creativity thrives when we let go of “the right way” and stay curious.When we borrow tools from unexpected places.When we trust our hands, our instincts, and the willingness to experiment.

That’s true in art — and in life.

Sometimes all it takes to restart creativity is looking around and asking:What could I try differently today?