Cup Easels started with one artist trying to build a better easel.
Before Cup Easels, I worked in commercial animation, until plein air painting pulled me away from screens and into the outdoors. I couldn't find equipment I actually liked, so I taught myself how to build my own, from CNC machining to 3D printing to the whole process of turning an idea into a real product.
Since 2018, I've designed, refined, and mostly hand-built every product myself, here in British Columbia, driven by one principle: craftsmanship over commercialism. I take my time with quality. Every product is thoughtfully prototyped and refined to meet a painter's real needs, not a launch deadline. There's no planned obsolescence, no growth targets, just continuous improvement, one product at a time, while keeping the lights on.
The goal was simple: a portable, durable easel that gets out of your way, whether you're painting plein air, working from a still life, or teaching a workshop.
Cup Easels is still a small operation, based in Canada, but the designs have traveled further than I have. Thanks to artists who've supported this from the beginning, our easels have made it to over 40 countries.
I love building tools for artists, and I'm always inspired by the work you make with them.
With appreciation,
Kyle Balluff
Artist, Creator, and Founder