a view of the mess and my current project...

 

I just can't work on a project and keep my crafting area clean! I have this huge Martha Stewart table and the actual work area is about 12" x 12"...the rest being well, you can see what the rest looks like.

 

This is a photo album I am making that I will be selling. I am using the Old Curiosity Shoppe papers by Graphic 45, one of my favorites. This is the book- with out any embellishments. I made the book using envelopes and a 'stack the deck' binding I learned from Kathy Orta. I added a ribbon tie closure and the spine is covered with canvas for added strength. I painted the canvas with Lumiere teal colored paint. Now that the book is constructed, now comes the fun part- embellishing and decorating. It has 6 pages in side, each with a large pocket for pull out photo holders. Over all size is about 7.5" tall by 5.5" wide, so 4x6 standard photos will easily fit in this photo album.

More to come...

 

random studio shots

I just charged my camera and then took some random shots in my studio. I only took pictures of the clean areas as I wouldn't want to shock you...

I like to create little 'vignettes' using cigar boxes.

I remove the lids and turn them on their side.
one of my printers tray on the wall

I love my "Nerve Food" jar. I picked that up at an antique store several years ago. I keep Silver German Glass Glitter in it. The jar next to it is also clear glass glitter. That jar is also old.

Studio Tour

I love looking at other art studios. And since fair is fair, here are some pictures of my messy studio. I didn't clean it up for these photos. Just keepin' it real...

As you can see, I love to collect pretty little things...

These are fantastic- they are rubber stamp cabinets.

Here are the rubber stamp cabinets open.
I keep more than just rubber in these. I have two and I could use two more...

This is a table I keep in the middle of the room. It's sort of a secondary table. I use it for watercolor and now pastel painting. I also have room for a second person at this table. Under the table is a sewing machine, old books (old books are EVERYWHERE in my studio) and boxes that contain my collection of antique German doll parts.

This is a old CD storage unit that is perfect to store ink refills and pads.

Flotsam and jetsam...I collect all kinds of things for collage and assemblage. I have three type drawers on the walls to house it all...it's a bear to dust, but I do like things out where I can see them or I completely forget about them.

This is the main desk, where I do most of my work. Collage, and art journal work. You can see more of the ridiculous amount of old books I have under this table. I really do use these books. I rip pages out of them for collage. It's a mess, but it keep me happy! Above the desk are works from various artists that I've purchased on etsy and ebay and some of my own work. It's all for inspiration.

A tinnie I made for my brushes. Another one for scissors.

I want to empty my studio...

HELP ME! THE MESS HAS TAKEN OVER!

The table in the middle of the room is piled

with reference photos from my last watercolor painting

floor creep - it's spreading!

I have to step over things to get to other things.

I don't like that.


all piled high

where am I supposed to work??
I've lost my work space to STUFF

watercolor papers and other stuff

I want my pretty table back!

I am so cramped in my studio...I find myself avoiding it lately. And I love my studio. It's just got too much STUFF in it. But I love all of the stuff. What's an artist to do?

It never fails- this time of year I get antsy and start major cleaning. Not sure what that's about, but I usually clean closets or organize cabinets. Yesterday I organized my spices. Today I organized recipes. I think I am working up to my studio.

I was sitting in my studio last night just looking and thinking about it. I think I need to rearrange some furniture. Do an ultra cleaning. Maybe consider eliminating SOME of the stuff. The stuff I have not used in maybe two years...or some 'rule' like that.

I see a bottle neck in one area and I think I want to move some things around. I am also thinking of giving away some items. I think what I might do is get a large box and put stuff in there that I just don't use anymore or never at all and give it away- to a local school or girl scout troop or group- maybe a woman's shelter. Some place where the stuff will be used.

Anyone have any ideas? Anyone have any helpful tips? I want to lighten the load. I want to streamline. I also want to make the space work better. Stay tuned...

Where Women Create - the Home Version

Issue two is out of a wonderful magazine called "Where Women Create" . I love this magazine. The first issue sold out. I guess I am not alone in my voyeuristic longings to see other art studios. The photos of artist studios are sexy with their lighting and oh-so-perfect set ups. The studios are works of art in and of themselves. Everything matches, all is color coordinated and light, space and tranquility abounds, giving the muse a palace in which to play.

In that spirit, I've decided to let you see a peek of my studio where I create
and where my muse abounds...

The Mess in my studio

I dont think the publishers of "Where Woman Create" will be knocking at my studio door anytime soon...

cleaning my studio - no art making

Since I got home from my summer vacation I've have not made any art. I am taking a break and 'filling the well', so to speak. After a long run of painting almost daily, I find I need to stop.

So I've been cleaning my studio. Dust had an amazing way of getting into everything! I love cleaning/organizing my studio- I discover things I had forgotten about- either art supplies I bought and forgot about or some cool trinket I picked up at an antique shop.

During these times of rest, I like to go back and look at my old journal entries. I often find inspiration from this. I have an 'idea' journal that I use to jot down ideas, thoughts and to keep samples of art from other artists who's style I like. Last night I stayed up late and went through my idea journal page by page, looking, remembering, thinking. I guess it is part of my 'well filling'.

I wonder how other artists fill their well- what do you do to rest and regroup? I would love to hear from other artists about your own personal well-filling process.

More of my studio

Old wood type, old shells, old game pieces, old clock watch faces, old jewelry...OLD being the common factor.

What is it about old things...they get my imagination juices flowing...I want to know the history, where have they been, how will they be a part of my story that I tell?

The metal square thing (lower left) - I have no idea what it is- I found it on the road...my sisters laugh at me...I collect things from the road and they sigh...my husband doesn't say a word about it :-)