May Musings; I have a studio!!!
It’s May half term, and after a rainy walk into Kingston-upon-Thames for some lunch, the kids are playing (hiding) upstairs, the plumber is working away in the utility room, the builders are busy drilling things in the garage (soon to be living room) and I am trying to write this months blog. And no, I am not sat in my studio, ironically, I’m back working at the dinning room table amongst the noise and mess! But the house is getting there and I get to hang out with my kiddies for a week so all is good!!!!
When we decided to start the next phase of our doer-upper, originally a studio was not in the plan. We knew we needed to build my husband an office as he was loosing his work space so we could give our twins their own bedrooms, and we also needed a shed so we could empty the garage in order to convert it into a living room….so it also made sense to create a space for me at the same time;)
I was finding it increasingly difficult to be in the same room all day everyday for work, meals, homework, relaxing etc. It was frustrating having to pack away each day and be so restricted in what I could do as I had nowhere to leave things to dry and working on the dinning room table meant making a big ol’ mess just wasn’t practical when the whole family used the table throughout the day. So, we went for it and I am so glad we did!
We decided on a garden cabin split into three rooms; the shed, my husband’s office and my studio. FYI the colour is ‘Arsenic’ - what a name right?!
For anyone interested we purchased our cabin from Dunster House - there are lots to choose from depending on your plans.
Initially, I was a little unsure of how it would work being at the bottom of the garden especially when the kids are home but it’s perfect! I really feel like I have more of a separation between work and family time, all my art materials are down there and so there’s less of a temptation to tinker, which I used to do, a lot! It works both ways as when I am in the studio there are less distractions on the home-end such as the washing, drying, hoovering…..I find I am so much more focused, productive and I think only about my work instead of a million things at once.
I absolutely love having all my art supplies around me and in one place, some of these I had stored away and had completely forgotten about!
I decided to take the doors off the cupboard so I had everything on hand and easy to see; I wanted it to feel like a studio as well as be practical. Having my art supplies around me has already meant I have started to work differently and more productively. I now have the space to spread out; if I am waiting for something to dry I can carry on with other work instead of fighting for space. When it’s time to go back into the house or pick the kiddies up I can literally down tools and go - no packing away, yes!
I also have started using my easel when adding the pen detail to pieces; this way I can constantly ‘see’ the piece as it will be eventually viewed and its so much better for my back than being hunched over a piece of work for hours on end!
I am enjoying making the studio to work for me. I used to look at photographs of my previous work for inspiration or to check how I achieved a technique or effect but now I can refer to the actual piece.
I have attached screws to the back wall to hang any pieces that relate to my current work. At the moment the hummingbird panel boards; ‘The Dance’ and ‘Flying Together’ are inspiring a new piece I’m working on.
We are very lucky with our builder as he pimped up the studio by insulating it, adding a sink, lots of lights for those dark winter days and one of my favourite parts; the big sky light! I have positioned my desk in front of the windows and right above me is the sky light and it’s amazing how much light is let in (my husband doesn’t have one and is very jealous!).
On a sunny day the blue sky is above me, the doors are open, the birds are chattering away in the trees and it’s so calm. I feel very lucky!
Once the sink is plumbed in and a worktop fitted, the kettle will be plugged in for my cups of tea - perfect!
I am not the only one who has moved in to the studio. The pup is loving being down here and snoozes away whilst I work. She often doesn’t want to leave…. I have a sneaky suspicion she might think this is her space!
Once the builders have finished the little jobs on the cabin we are looking forward to tidying up the garden around the cabin, adding stepping stones and carpet plants, and filling the veggie patches with lots of flowers for the insects. I want to create an area that is relaxing, calm and full of nature. I cannot wait to get mud under my nails and get started.
I feel incredibly lucky to have my own space and did not think it would happen for a very long time. I have only had a few weeks working in the studio and although I love having my kiddies home during half term I will also be looking forward to getting back in there! I purposely waited to start any new work until it was ready and I am glad I did as its allowed me to get settled in and use the space from the very start of a new series of work.
If you haven’t already and are able to do so, I really would recommend finding an area where you can work that is yours. Even if it is a table in the corner of a room that is yours, where you can leave out your work to be picked up and put down easily. I wished I had realised how important this is as I would have found a corner instead of using the dinning room table. However, if that is your only option, then use it and keep exploring your creativity, who knows where it might lead!
Have a good June and I’ll be back soon!