If you have followed me for long you know I am an artist, painter, etc. For the past few months our lives have undergone a lot of changes on the home front, especially in regards to space, and my studio which used to be 12' by 10' has now gone back to 4' by 6'. For the longest time I stayed depressed about it. I piled things up, walked past it, couldn't even bring myself to look at it. I then had a long come to Jesus meeting with myself and realized, it is not true to my spirit to leave it like this, to give in….nor my son who now lives in the room, so I shamed myself into motivation. I created this pick and posted it on my Pinterest Before and After board, along with a few other 'supportive' networks, and asked to be held accountable. So far, the space is now clean, but I am in the middle of the dreaded task of making it more 'functional.' This is the challenge for artists using a small space, function must come before creativity, but that isn't always how our brains work. I will prevail in this task, my creative muses demand it, along with my domestic ones. As an artist, have you been here?
You can read about the whole journey here:
http://ardithsart.blogspot.com/2012/01/before-and-after-studio-project.html
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I am SO there. Currently, my two work tables, my shelves and pinboard are all relegated to one half of our spare bedroom. I tried using the garage for a while but there's so much large STUFF in there that the cramping was worse. The thing that does make me feel better lately is that I got a new art table last weekend. (https://plus.google.com/u/0/113381483153888636532/posts/KaAx2zeKYUK) I use the same chair for both that and my flat work table (I just swivel between the two).
Oh, my heart and studio avoidance empathy goes out to you!! Been there, done that for sure!! It's so much easier once you find a system you like though, so it is soooo worth finding one that works for you. <3
Of course, I have to do routine maintenance… but at least I know where everything is now.
oh my…I am fortunate to have a separate studio away from home…but, I keep way too much "art stuff" at my house and yes…it takes over every surface. I need to get organized so badly…
It is coming along, and it always helps to know we are not alone in this organizational challenge. I see the gorgeous studios in magazines and online and I ask myself, "Are they well used or simply pretty?" Kelly Rae Roberts, a mixed media artist I love, shared her artist studios over the past years on her blog today. If she can produce in that small of a space so can I. Once I journey through this process I think I am going to write some tips for it. There must me steps millions of artists have already gone through when faced with this.
I have been there quite a bit lately. My studio is in the loft and neither the heat nor air reach up there very well (window ac and a space heater make it tolerable) and I tend to clutter it as a result. I'm spring cleaning over spring break and a pinterest board just might be in order.
I am there right now…everything that has no other place in the house ends up being tossed into 'that room'. I have resorted to setting up a table in the living room, and dragging out whatever I am working on. Currently I am wrapping glass there! And funny timing on Pinterest…I just applied to the waiting list there yesterday!
I am determined, it
canwill be done!+Debra Dickson if you message me your email through my Google+ profile I will send you an invite and you won't have to wait. My hubs has resorted to calling me "Piles."
I think about this a lot, and something that occurred to me recently is that I used to have a super tiny kitchen (no stove, almost no counter space, tiny sink), but I still cooked really good meals. I even canned marmalade and jam. I made it work, and there wasn't any drama involved, I just figured it out and got it done.
It's not necessarily that simple with art-making spaces, but I think, for me, a lot of it has to do with my own problem of making excuses. I just want to be honest with myself about what's really going on when I'm throwing tantrums about my art space.
(By the way, I'm not accusing anyone else of doing this. It's just my own observation about myself in regard to small work spaces. Organization is always an issue, but does some other unacknowledged, unresolved issue make it worse?)
Thanx, Ardith! It looks like a fun place to explore.
+Debra Dickson, I HATE that everything that doesn't have a "home" ends up in my work space or worse, on my table! It's a sad but true problem.
Definitely been there … just keep going, and you inspire me to do so as well, Ardith …
)
Oh my word, every time I turn around I have a battle between "Oh, I could use that in a project!" and "Ardith, you haven't touched this in a year….get rid of it!" I need some wine to mellow myself enough to see who wins, lol.
I don't know about you … but if I havent used something for a year … it goes into a "storage" box and out into the garage. Now, I know, not everybody has room for 20 storage boxes in their garage, or even has a garage. But I have also used space at the floor of the closet, under my shoes for storage boxes in the past. There must be some way to "hide" those things that are questionable. Just put dates (at least years) on the boxes and if they are 5 years old, go through them one more time and either use or donate the contents.
That is part of my issue. We live in a house with tiny closets, no garage or useable attic, so it has to be out in the open or under a bed. I decided to package some of it and am donating to a local art teacher. It isn't too bad so far thankfully.
+Ardith Goodwin Good to see you! sloooowly I am learning, if I do not click on the different circles I have I don't see my old friends… Hope you are doing well small art studio or not! LOL
I'll be waiting impatiently for the "after"! I need inspiration to make my space more functional. Universal problem, me thinks…
A work of art in itself. Exploit.