26 Comments
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Linda Smiggen's avatar

Just truly loved your share of your home and all the studio areas! You are truly amazing and how great to have a husband who builds art tables, etc!! I’ve moved to a smaller place and now I feel better about using the dining area table and kitchen counters and my small new art studio area for all aspects of creating. Like the movie, Everything Everywhere All at Once!! ❤️

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Lesley Riley's avatar

I haven't seen that movie, but the title sure does describe us! It is our space after all and we get to decide how to use it.

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Lynne Oakes's avatar

You can be sure that all this resonates with me. When I found a house that would work well for my elderly parents to live with me, I also found a home with a walk-out basement the size of the footprint of the house. It was a very happy day to see that everything I needed for my parents and for me was in this one house! They are gone now, but I still live here and teach and paint in the wonderful walk-out studio over the lake. I couldn't feel more blessed.

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Lesley Riley's avatar

Yes! I know you have an ideal studio. Well earned, too, right? I loved spending time there for my art lessons.

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Margaret Abramshe's avatar

I just convinced my husband to sell his vintage corvette (he can’t really get in an out of it comfortably after 2 hips, 1 knee and a second knee replacement soon) because I too let my studio creep into the third bay of the garage to accommodate a growing print studio….🤔Where next?

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Lesley Riley's avatar

Studio creep is a thing, and we deserve it. That's great that you are printing fabric now. Can't wait to see it.

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Rhonda Roebuck's avatar

Thanks Lesley for a great post on "home"! Just a studio won't get it, we have to be everywhere in the house with "our things"!

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Lesley Riley's avatar

I know you get it! It's how we live.

Thanks for reading!

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Linda Warschoff's avatar

I, too, am happiest in my home studio. I live in a small, light filled condo with high ceilings. My studio is half of my living room and my art (and that of others) is on all of my walls. I don't want to be away for long periods of time because this creative space is the best place to be!

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Lesley Riley's avatar

I often imagine a similar space if I ever end up having to live alone. The light is so important isn't it?

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Jenny  M's avatar

Love your posts! You are always an inspiration. As someone who JUST created real, working studio spaces within my home within the past 3 years, I can relate. I love a creative home better than a Better Homes & Garden Home because it is inevitably MUCH MORE INTERESTING!!! LOL.

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Lesley Riley's avatar

Congratulations on the working studio spaces. You go, girl! Yes, creative homes are so much more interesting. As a former real estate appraiser, I can attest to the fact that many homes lack signs of creativity.

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Kathy Ward's avatar

Thank you for the inspiration Lesley. I to have worked on my DR table, kitchen counters and dishwasher top. I have had some amazing studios in my careen, but am a little between studios now. You have inspired me to work with what I have now and make great art. Thank you. ❤️

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Lesley Riley's avatar

Where there is a will there is always a way. How wonderful you've had the joy of amazing studios. And how thankful to be able to make anywhere a creative space.

Thanks for reading.

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Corinne Meharg's avatar

Yes my dear, it is our “studio home” and a place where we can be very content. Thanks for this post.

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Lesley Riley's avatar

We are so fortunate, aren't we? Personal growth, art growth, and studio growth. A great trifecta!

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Karen Rand Anderson's avatar

I can relate, on a number of levels...!! Take a look at my post about the studio thing. Living and working and breathing it ... right? 🙃 We share some commonalities.... https://open.substack.com/pub/kanderson/p/from-work-to-play?r=409949&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

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Lesley Riley's avatar

What a journey you are on with your studios. Blessings to you. No matter where as long as we’re are creating we are happy. This new one looks perfect. Yes it sounds like we are similar souls. ♥️

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Chris Kaitlyn's avatar

Thank you for sharing. I can really identify with creativity takes place in several rooms of a home! I am in the home stretch of "refreshing" my main creative space to accommodate a shift in the type of jewelry I will be making. I needed dedicated space to paint metal components and I have that all set up, but there are still things to put in a more organized fashion in the rest of the studio. :)

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Lesley Riley's avatar

I love an organized space but it never lasts long for me. I think I should write an article entitled, Mess Management.

Thanks for writing. It is good to hear from you again.

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Chris Kaitlyn's avatar

You are absolutely correct...a well used & loved studio does not stay neat for long! :)

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Lesley Riley's avatar

Right! I find it impossible to be both neat and creative. It’s ours to use as needed.

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Erik Lewin's avatar

Good for you! Inspiring.

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Lesley Riley's avatar

Thank you.

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Jenny  M's avatar

And where is your husband's workshop? Man cave? LOL.

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Lesley Riley's avatar

He has the garage and a corner of the basement.

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