This is my 'before' view of the studio space in July 0f 2008. I was blessed to find a house with a walk-out Daylight Basement, including one wall of windows looking out over trees, a creek, and an empty field.
Over the months I have added massive amounts of lighting, covered the insulated walls with a patchwork of mattboard, old paintings on canvas, and tyvek.
This view is of the North end of the studio - you can see my lighting which is actually outdoor lighting with movable cans - - windows all along the right-hand side provide addition light during the day and a beautiful view of nature. Along the left/back side of the studio I have multiple shelving units for supplies, storage of completed work.
This image shows the double-sided counter-height workbench with storage that I purchased from Goody's going-out-of-business sale, they are also on casters and anchor the north central section of the studio . . . you can so the great windows on this end of the studio, as well.
My favorite spot in the studio: the wicker porch swing were I can meditate on nature right outside my window, read, research, enjoy some of my friend's artwork (see CASSIE, the shoe sculpture on the left of the window by artist John MacMullen) . . . all I need is a lampshade!
Below is the South End of the Studio - future office/bedroom . . .
Side of the office/future bedroom end of the studio . . . 16'x22' (above)
Below, my last stop before art is shipped, any hanging devices, polishing, wrapping and packaging, love having a space set aside for this task . . .
Left view is of the workbench area - the central section of the studio - with lots of open space to move around . . . and storage for wood and boxes . . . of course, I have my refrigerator stocked with ice-cold Diet Cokes!
So I hope you have enjoyed the tour of my studio - - - it has been a long journey of waiting patiently, focusing on my specific needs (custom lighting and electrical outlets) and scrounging to find the perfect furniture and units for my needs - - - I have already created some new encaustic paintings and am working on several installation pieces and the space is very conducive to my creative process.
I'm looking forward to continuing the improvements and organization - I can't tell you how fantastic it is after years of working in corners, garages, and dining rooms to have MY space, MY studio - exclusively FOR ART'S SAKE!
Read MoreTo Resolution, or Not To resolution?
"The Call" by Remedios Varo
To me the real question about whether or not to make New Year's Resolutions is simple: No. I don't do that.
What I do is review the prior year and project what I wish to accomplish in the coming year.
Many divergent areas of my life are considered. Have I been the Mother I need to be in 2008 and what can I do better in 2009? Not just say "I will be a better Mother" - but, specifically, what are the actions I can do to make that occur. I can turn off the music in the car and actually have a conversation with the children while we are enduring the endless pick-up/drop-off phase of our lives. I can instigate conversations and ask what their opinions are and why. I can NOT turn every conversation into a lecture. I can listen. I can color more with my 6 year old.
In my marriage I could make dinner a few more times a week and I can turn off my computer and sit and hold his hand while he watches TV. I can play some Wii golf WITH him instead of reading on the couch. I could go work in the yard with him instead of holing up in the studio on the weekend. We could start doing some of the things we both love to do: hiking, nature photography, playing cards, and Scrabble.
As a sister I could call my siblings more frequently. As a daughter I could take some time to mail my mom cards and hand-written notes as she does not do e-mail. I can collect things I know she will love and always have a gift bag ready for any time I see her.
If 2009 is this cabinet - I get to fill it with all the dreams I have and hope to accomplish:
1. Better actions as a mother and wife
2. More completed artworks/applying for grants/fellowships and to VISIT real art again - a major trip for art viewing
3. More shows to share my artwork
4. I could finish posting my Etsy shop so people don't have to beg me to sell things.
5. Start my series about my Italian experiences
6. Get more active on my own blog ;) - pursue my writing with a more defined goal, write some of those memoir stories for myself and then decide if I want to share with others
7. Nurture and maintain my new and old friendships
8. Take time to reflect on my own life and the balance of my selfs: physical, spiritual, creative, and dreaming
9. Become more fully who I am intended to be
10. Make sure I am following MY CALLING
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