Ode to a Studio
My studio is where I most feel at peace in the world. I get lost in the making and all worries float away.
The physical surrounds matter – I want my tools and supplies neatly organized so I can quickly find them. I want the surfaces clear and free and ready to use.
When I am in that flow state of creation, being unable to find what I’m looking for breaks my concentration and next thing you know I’m standing at the refrigerator bemoaning the lack of green olives.
[I’m breaking my habit of eating chips and so I turn to olives to satisfy my craving for salt and crunch. And no – the olives don’t crunch so it doesn’t really work. But I can pretend.]
Neat and Orderly
I do indeed put a lot of thought and time into keeping my studio orderly. Folding up my fabric and refiling it after use.
Long before Marie Konda inspired me to store my t-shirts upright, I’ve been folding my fabric into neat packets and lining them up into drawers. Each color and value easily and equally accessible.
I’ve organized my fabric this way for 30 years – although I’ve graduated from dresser drawers to my beloved elfa storage units. It’s a wonder I never thought to do this with my clothing before I was instructed to spark some joy.
Why do I do this?
Clearly it’s OCD. Who else inventories every single spool of thread in a spreadsheet?
Maybe I should have been an accountant. Although my accountant/artist friend Dori tells me it’s not OCD – its attention to detail.
I’m detail oriented.
But again – why do this?
It’s about the energy of the room. I crave an uncluttered space that allows me to get lost in the colors and lines and textures and movement and story of the current artwork.
Marveling at the power of art to show what I’m feeling and thinking.
I want a space where I feel safe to explore and expose the thoughts that run wild through my mind and then transform a simple set of supplies into a work of art.
No Longer in the Perfect Studio
Unfortunately – in my move from Denver, Colorado to New Zealand, I gave up my purpose built big beautiful studio.
I am now creating in a room that is also the passage way from our kitchen/lounge (aka living room) to the rest of the house.
It is the largest room in the house and the only one large enough for my 3 big work tables. Creating at home is my preference.
Herds of elephants pass through my room daily. Repeatedly. Or maybe it is just the Kiwi Guy who feels a need to drink about 4,000 cups of tea a day. And yes – 2 people with 2 home businesses in 1 home – it can feel a bit cozy at times.
I have learned (or let’s say “I am learning”) to just deal with the lack of privacy. I was used to creating alone in my thoughts. Now it is a bit startling to having an elephant waltz through when I’m staring at the wall working out something.
To those uninitiated into the process of creating this can look on the outside as me not doing anything. But I am, and being interrupted in this state can result in the looking for olives, once again.
And more (or actually less)
I no longer have long swathes of open design wall space to bring to life multiple works at a time. My old studio had 3 long design walls. Now I have just 1 short wall – with a door in the middle.
The size I can work comfortably is limited. Big works simply don’t fit on the wall. And I can’t really step back and see what I’m doing.
Nor do I have a space in which to properly photograph my large artwork. It’s all a bit cramped.
I no longer have a large storage space so the studio itself is now cluttered up with supplies. I now have stacks of canvas and large rolls of fabric ready to dye under the tables and leaning against the walls.
Not to mention a gaggle of sewing machines in the ready should one of my two trusty steads need some maintenance.
[At what point does the collect turn from “I need a few backups” to “you own how many sewing machines???” territory? It’s like the crazy cat lady thing – 3 cats – perfectly normal. At 4 – well – there you are.]
I no longer have great lighting, high ceilings, freshly painted walls, beautiful flooring, etc etc. The list goes on.
But it doesn’t matter.
Those are just excuses
Because what matters the most most most is the act of creating.
The need and drive to do so is overpowering.
And I can create anywhere because that need supersedes the physical space.
And it is just excuses to blame the lack of – well – anything – for my lack of studio hours.
So while my studio is far from ideal.
It is still the perfect place where I want to spend a majority of my time.
PS – the kiwi guy says that while he has heard of elephants, he, himself is not one. ???
PPS – Enrollment is now open for the next session of Create a Body of Work.
If you are looking to build a studio habit, where you can learn how you can shed your excuses and get on with creating – I’d love to have you join us.