Blog

A New Start

Window of My New Studio

I am finally in my new studio and it is very exciting as well as unsettling. In my old studio I did very little adjusting once I moved in. I was off and running with paints and canvas each time I was there. My new studio is better in so many ways so it should be easy to settle in here. It is on the first floor instead of the fourth (no more stairs to trudge up). It has a great tin ceiling and is very cozy. It has heat (and air conditioning if I need it). It has windows and they open to the breeze.... hooray ! One of the windows is a large one that faces the street. I am in a very small storefront on the main street of the village. Since people pass by all the time I couldn't leave the window empty so I set up a little display. That led to getting signage so people aren't wondering what it's all about. Now it looks inviting and I am going to open the studio for the public during certain afternoons (exciting, right?.. human contact at controlled intervals). I am also going to have other artists' works there on commission to make it interesting and not all about me. There are village events several times each year and I am in a perfect spot to participate and meet new people. The Christmas on the Avenue event is always fun and it gives me incentive to create some new cards for sale.I am so very lucky to be here. The problem I have is my private studio area. I have the back of the storefront but can't seem to get the tables, easels and chairs in sync. I have been working on a new painting when I have been able to get down here (the big mom move is still ongoing) and it is coming along well enough, but I seem to have the new studio flu. Anyone else been through this? The comfort level is not quite there yet and I have not snuggled in. Maybe there is something to the suffering artist myth. I certainly had lots of problems in the old studio. Who knew my muse could be so fussy. Maybe I need more hours here quietly soaking in everything; the atmosphere, the light, the privacy, the change. Maybe I need to convince myself that my art is worthy of this beautiful new space and deserves to be here. I'll keep you posted.

Addicted to Painting

I’ve come to think my passion for painting has turned a corner and has now become an addiction. When I am not painting I am thinking of painting. When I am falling asleep I am thinking of painting. When I am driving my car I pass scenes that I want to sketch for paintings. When I have chores that need to be done I am resentful that they keep me from painting.
    Unfortunately for me, this summer has had more than its share of events that have kept me from painting. My dad passed away in January and I am in the process of relocating my mom to a new house near me instead of two hours away. This process has involved finding her a house near me, selling her house, arranging for relocating her belongings, as well as some cosmetic work removing old wallpaper and painting at her new house. I also relocated to a new studio which involved a lot of moving and setup. I am not so much resentful of all these things that have kept me from painting as I am disappointed. I feel like a child waiting for summer vacation…. When does the fun start. I just want to play in my studio. I am petulant and bordering on miserable at times. I know things will eventually settle down and I can only hope when it does that I can easily jump back into my painting routine.

Studio Move

Well I spent the weekend moving my huge amount of stuff into my new studio. It was tough going but thanks to my husband John, Sarah, my daughter and her boyfriend Todd we got everything down four flights of stairs and safely deposited in my new location. I will be painting the walls and setting up things for the next couple weeks but I am getting a really good feel from the new place. It is very exciting to set things up just the way you want them even though I am sure it will take weeks of tweaking to get it just right. For now the walls and ceiling need painting and I also have some wallpaper stripping to accomplish at my mothers new house and then I can get back to work. I can't wait to start painting again. Art has become my addiction and each day I am unable to paint I obsess about it more. My easels and paints are calling me. I need to get back into a regular routine again. Until then. . .