I lived in a caravan (trailer) for a few years and also used my bed as a workspace too, but now for the 1st time in my life (I'm 75), I have my own workshop - I hesitate to call it a studio as that makes me think of clear walls with displays of things on them, somewhere more tidy, whereas my workshop has floor to ceiling shelving around most of it, and my big table. It's fantastic!
Still to get my things sorted as they had to be brought there quickly. I do have far too much "stuff" - though don't want to get rid of any of it! - and am so happy with my space! No more clearing off the table because it's needed for something else, everything in one place, can't wait to get it all sorted out, I already love being in it.
I am so happy for you. Your workshop sounds just like what my studio will be when I am finished with it. We do get rewarded with the space we need at some point in our lives.
I love this story! Mine is messy too and is always in flux. We live part of the year in AZ and that one is much more organized, but still encompasses all parts of the tiny house. We’re buying a bigger house there so the studio will continue to be “adjustable”. You find so much good stuff when you reorganize!
I recently bought a new shelving unit for my small (12x10) studio space. What a game changer!! I was able to get really organized, get a couple of big bins off the floor and know where everything is! It feels like I have so much space. I went in on Saturday to work for the first time since the new unit went in....so welcoming, so picked up, so satisfying!
Exactly! I love my new shelves, but it looks like I'll need more. I'm going for organization, not just storage bins. SO glad you have a "new" space to work in that inspires you.
I love your story. We have recently moved and my work space is in our unheated enclosed porch. I live in CT, it gets very cold in there in the Winter and sweltering hot in the Summer. Your basement studio looks like heaven. I too did not want to set up there bc of no windows.... but yours is making me re-think my choice. So thank you!
Brrr. I can only imagine. I have a screened porch I call my studio annex. Everything in it is frozen now. And it's too hot in the summer. So, it's storage. With good lighting in the basement, you'll be able to work without missing the windows. That is the key! Good luck.
I hired a certified professional organizer through the National Professional Organizers Association. I worked with her to completely reorganize and set up my small art room (for mixed media). Best investment ever!! I note here that I've worked with two excellent professional organizer; and, as a result, I learned how to stay organized because a professional teaches the client as they work together. I highly recommend using a professional organizer to ease the burden--mentally and physically. I truly understand the need and drive to change spaces and constantly look for more solutions.
We are in the process of moving to be near our son. My studio now is our former primary bedroom, 12' x 23' with lots of windows and light. The new house has an office which is MUCH smaller and only one window. At the moment is feels cozy. I can't fit all my stuff in there but I do want to downsize. We have an unfinished basement that could be a big studio but I'm not sure I want that. it's a decision and work in progress....
I’m so proud of you and watching how easily you adjust and make do is inspiring. Before my grandmother passed, she would give me a knowing look and say, “Now remember - Never look at something for what it is, but what you could make of it.” You embody that and remind me that we pick ourselves up by the bootstraps and carry on. I love seeing your tables and spaces, you are so good at pruning away the unnecessary- and keeping the fruit. Love reading more and more of your backstory.
Fantastic! A True Artist! One who creates no matter where they are or what they have. I always take the Master Bedroom for my studio (it has a great closet for fabric too) and Sleep in the Little Bedroom. It is cozy and I like it. Right now,
My elderly mom has the Master Bedroom so my studio is the Living Room which is fun. No excuses not to work in it! There is just enough room for two chairs and a TV for our nighttime watching. After, she goes to sleep, I stay up ironing, cutting or sewing. It works well when I am not too exhausted from caretaking.
When I appraised real estate, I would often go into an efficiency condo unit and ask myself, "If I lived alone, could I live here?" At the time, I thought, "Yes, it would be fun to be surrounded by your art materials." The only thing that stopped me was where my family would sit if they visited. Enjoy your time working in the living room.
Well, for some reason, your story got to me. I teared up through most of it. Perhaps, it reminds me of my own journey through creative spaces. Your home sounds lovely, little glimpses now and then during these years. I have a large attic style studio that houses all I try to keep in some sort of messy order. Lots of projects laying here and there, but I like that. I want to live in this house forever, or until? At times, when I am in a frenzy, my husband Roy must think a hamster is running around in a wheel. But he never questions unless there is a loud crash or the fire alarm goes off as it has many times.
You are in a transformation period, like a butterfly expanding out of her cocoon.
Your situation sounds like mine in reserve. Thanks for sharing that it was an emotional read for you. You have a compassionate understanding of it all. Thank you, Alyce.
Thank you Lesley for your story. Life is a continual series of progressive balancing acts. Deciding to dedicate ANY space in my home to art felt like an airplne pulling a banner “ Susie is an artist”. The area was not near big enough, but a big bold step of who i wanted the world to know about me was being acknowledged. Besides, it was just one fraction of who i already was, wife, mother, employee, laundry woman cook, etc. Every growth spurt in one area reverberated through all the rest.
Going into my art room now, as a single mature grandma with adult kids, has become a deeply important room. It’s still transforming, still overflowing with treasures spilling out of every nook and cranny, but it’s still my special place where growth and comfort exist for me. That place of playing with color and textures is vital to my growth. Now, a door can close it away, it can sit and marinate when something else calls. And that “something else” will effect the next step in the art room.
It's so wonderful that we have been able to morph from art as a sometime activity, to a time and place where we can and do grow. Yes, it is a beautiful flow and I thank you for sharing your experience.
Thank you for sharing your art studio journey. Mine is currently in our garage. Two pews from our church is where my students sit. Carpet and tables were given to me. Shelves display 35 art journals and supplies. The walls show my art and photos of students. It’s a lovely place to create. It makes me happy just to open the door and look at it.
After years of making do with mixed up studio spaces, work tables and storage, I built the perfect studio in what I thought was going to be my forever home. Unfortunately, my husband of 20 years decided he wanted to be with a woman 40 years younger than me. So now at 72 I’m looking to a new home and studio. This next one is going to be even better and I’m looking forward to designing it to support creation of artwork all the different mediums I love to work with.
You go girl! You get to create a new place to create. Life unfolds in unexpected ways. Thank you for sharing your situation. Sending lots of love and creative magic your way.
I lived in a caravan (trailer) for a few years and also used my bed as a workspace too, but now for the 1st time in my life (I'm 75), I have my own workshop - I hesitate to call it a studio as that makes me think of clear walls with displays of things on them, somewhere more tidy, whereas my workshop has floor to ceiling shelving around most of it, and my big table. It's fantastic!
Still to get my things sorted as they had to be brought there quickly. I do have far too much "stuff" - though don't want to get rid of any of it! - and am so happy with my space! No more clearing off the table because it's needed for something else, everything in one place, can't wait to get it all sorted out, I already love being in it.
I am so happy for you. Your workshop sounds just like what my studio will be when I am finished with it. We do get rewarded with the space we need at some point in our lives.
Thanks Lesley, it does feel like a huge gift I've been given. Enjoy your space when you get it all sorted.
I love this story! Mine is messy too and is always in flux. We live part of the year in AZ and that one is much more organized, but still encompasses all parts of the tiny house. We’re buying a bigger house there so the studio will continue to be “adjustable”. You find so much good stuff when you reorganize!
Congratulations on getting a bigger studio in Arizona. Isn't it nice that we can finally do this at this stage in our lives.
I recently bought a new shelving unit for my small (12x10) studio space. What a game changer!! I was able to get really organized, get a couple of big bins off the floor and know where everything is! It feels like I have so much space. I went in on Saturday to work for the first time since the new unit went in....so welcoming, so picked up, so satisfying!
Exactly! I love my new shelves, but it looks like I'll need more. I'm going for organization, not just storage bins. SO glad you have a "new" space to work in that inspires you.
I love your story. We have recently moved and my work space is in our unheated enclosed porch. I live in CT, it gets very cold in there in the Winter and sweltering hot in the Summer. Your basement studio looks like heaven. I too did not want to set up there bc of no windows.... but yours is making me re-think my choice. So thank you!
Brrr. I can only imagine. I have a screened porch I call my studio annex. Everything in it is frozen now. And it's too hot in the summer. So, it's storage. With good lighting in the basement, you'll be able to work without missing the windows. That is the key! Good luck.
Thank you so much!
I hired a certified professional organizer through the National Professional Organizers Association. I worked with her to completely reorganize and set up my small art room (for mixed media). Best investment ever!! I note here that I've worked with two excellent professional organizer; and, as a result, I learned how to stay organized because a professional teaches the client as they work together. I highly recommend using a professional organizer to ease the burden--mentally and physically. I truly understand the need and drive to change spaces and constantly look for more solutions.
Wow! This sounds amazing. I could definitely benefit this. xo
That sounds like a wonderful thing to do. I'm so glad it has made your art room and artmaking easier.
We are in the process of moving to be near our son. My studio now is our former primary bedroom, 12' x 23' with lots of windows and light. The new house has an office which is MUCH smaller and only one window. At the moment is feels cozy. I can't fit all my stuff in there but I do want to downsize. We have an unfinished basement that could be a big studio but I'm not sure I want that. it's a decision and work in progress....
Keep me posted on what you decide about the basement and downsizing.
I’m so proud of you and watching how easily you adjust and make do is inspiring. Before my grandmother passed, she would give me a knowing look and say, “Now remember - Never look at something for what it is, but what you could make of it.” You embody that and remind me that we pick ourselves up by the bootstraps and carry on. I love seeing your tables and spaces, you are so good at pruning away the unnecessary- and keeping the fruit. Love reading more and more of your backstory.
Your grandmother was so smart. I'm sure she was a can-do, make-do woman, just like us. I love your pruning and fruit phrase. Thats a keeper. xox
Fantastic! A True Artist! One who creates no matter where they are or what they have. I always take the Master Bedroom for my studio (it has a great closet for fabric too) and Sleep in the Little Bedroom. It is cozy and I like it. Right now,
My elderly mom has the Master Bedroom so my studio is the Living Room which is fun. No excuses not to work in it! There is just enough room for two chairs and a TV for our nighttime watching. After, she goes to sleep, I stay up ironing, cutting or sewing. It works well when I am not too exhausted from caretaking.
When I appraised real estate, I would often go into an efficiency condo unit and ask myself, "If I lived alone, could I live here?" At the time, I thought, "Yes, it would be fun to be surrounded by your art materials." The only thing that stopped me was where my family would sit if they visited. Enjoy your time working in the living room.
Well, for some reason, your story got to me. I teared up through most of it. Perhaps, it reminds me of my own journey through creative spaces. Your home sounds lovely, little glimpses now and then during these years. I have a large attic style studio that houses all I try to keep in some sort of messy order. Lots of projects laying here and there, but I like that. I want to live in this house forever, or until? At times, when I am in a frenzy, my husband Roy must think a hamster is running around in a wheel. But he never questions unless there is a loud crash or the fire alarm goes off as it has many times.
You are in a transformation period, like a butterfly expanding out of her cocoon.
I can't wait to hear all the rest of the story.
Your situation sounds like mine in reserve. Thanks for sharing that it was an emotional read for you. You have a compassionate understanding of it all. Thank you, Alyce.
Thank you Lesley for your story. Life is a continual series of progressive balancing acts. Deciding to dedicate ANY space in my home to art felt like an airplne pulling a banner “ Susie is an artist”. The area was not near big enough, but a big bold step of who i wanted the world to know about me was being acknowledged. Besides, it was just one fraction of who i already was, wife, mother, employee, laundry woman cook, etc. Every growth spurt in one area reverberated through all the rest.
Going into my art room now, as a single mature grandma with adult kids, has become a deeply important room. It’s still transforming, still overflowing with treasures spilling out of every nook and cranny, but it’s still my special place where growth and comfort exist for me. That place of playing with color and textures is vital to my growth. Now, a door can close it away, it can sit and marinate when something else calls. And that “something else” will effect the next step in the art room.
How beautiful is the flow of life!!🩷
It's so wonderful that we have been able to morph from art as a sometime activity, to a time and place where we can and do grow. Yes, it is a beautiful flow and I thank you for sharing your experience.
Thank you for sharing your art studio journey. Mine is currently in our garage. Two pews from our church is where my students sit. Carpet and tables were given to me. Shelves display 35 art journals and supplies. The walls show my art and photos of students. It’s a lovely place to create. It makes me happy just to open the door and look at it.
Ohhh, I'd like a peek into your studio. That feeling of opening the door must be contagious as your students arrive. Thanks for commenting.
After years of making do with mixed up studio spaces, work tables and storage, I built the perfect studio in what I thought was going to be my forever home. Unfortunately, my husband of 20 years decided he wanted to be with a woman 40 years younger than me. So now at 72 I’m looking to a new home and studio. This next one is going to be even better and I’m looking forward to designing it to support creation of artwork all the different mediums I love to work with.
You go girl! You get to create a new place to create. Life unfolds in unexpected ways. Thank you for sharing your situation. Sending lots of love and creative magic your way.