Most art-making sessions involve a quick clearing of my desk space to make room to work. Having designated jars, drawers, shelves, and carts helps, but it's not enough. As I approach my 9th decade, I can't put off a more general organization. It's a slow process, but as I get rid of piles and boxes of half-finished exercises and barely touched materials, I've found more physical and mental space and time for the artwork I really want to make.
I lived in Scottsdale and Fountain Hills for 18 years ! I have my creative highs in a certain coffee shop, sitting at a certain table, facing a certain way, a cleansing breath helps to remove the mind clutter and ushers in a creative peace comes over me whispering, its time to write. At home a particular arm chair speaks to me, this is your spot. read, pray, meditate, create and simple be.
Consistency provides a safe place for creating. So many artists/designers/musicians wear the same thing every day, follow the same schedule, remove all unnecessary distractions and decisions so their imaginations can run free.
What a touching story--me too--always one more supply, a different tray, the other smoother paper, etc. I can find all kinds of ways to procrastinate--and yet, when we moved into a new space, I set up a desk in front of the window separate from my paper work, no computer on it and named it the art desk. I still can find excuses but I'm far more likely to get going and get back to something I've started when I can leave all in place. So happy for you that you have your special "spot" to continue your wonderful journey
For years, when my kids were little, I didn't have any kind of studio. I used to set my oils up on the kitchen table while they were at school. I painted a 50x60” oil on my kitchen table with a small portable easel. I would get deep into a project and my kids, hubby would come in and look at what I was doing and make unhelpful comments. So I stopped again (becoming blocked being a pattern) When my eldest was away at college for a number of years and wasn't coming back, I took over a corner of her room. It was great, perfect light. Then through life's travails I moved out west, again a corner, and back east again now in a one bed. I have a corner and it’s enough. I used to have a mind palace thing where I’d imagine myself moving into an industrial loft, it helped focus my anxiety but it was never real, lately I’ve realized it doesn’t matter. All I need is a corner, I’m not planning on painting any 8 foot paintings and work mostly small now, and if I decide to, I’ll find a way.
This video made me laugh out loud! I have pen creep, I have bins, I have cords, I have the little camera that I thought would be awesome to make videos of the journey to work on my bike, and to video "whatever". Then life happens, elderly family needs care, things get packed and it's easier to procrastinate about the "doing". Thank you, I realized that I am making excuses instead of art.
I’ve had a space to paint in my garage; unfortunately the weather has to be right, not too cold or hot. Recently we got rid of a big old computer desk that was taking up space, and I was able to move my “studio” inside to a nice spot by a window. It’s very inviting and I don’t need space heaters or fans to keep it comfortable! Love your essays, Danny!
I love reading these stories of your childhood and books (librarian and writer of picture books). That photo of you in Pakistan is gold. My creative spaces have been varied and honestly the one where I have created the most has been a jerry rigged bedroom. The key has been having my core supplies out and my artwork on a wall. Inspiration and motivation. I agree it’s all about what I bring to the space and moment.
I like to think of the world as my studio. This week it is in Paris. I went to Sennelier and found a sample sketch book that I wanted. A small Hahnemuhler (?) watercolour. They couldn’t find one in stock and so sold me it at I suppose a reduced price as someone had tried a pencil in it making it more precious to me. Today a girl around seven approached me as I sketched at Place de Vosges. She told me very assuredly that I was her artist and I would teach her to be an artist. I would come to her apartment and teach her. I explained that I lived in Nouvelle Ecosse but if she drew and painted nearly every day that would work.
All this to say that’s kind of what you did for me. Thank you.
I’ve taken over a spare room in our home - a small room where I draw,cut,create,paint and generally just play. I, too, have regular tidy up sessions usually after I have completed something. I tend to have at least 3 different projects on the go using different mediums - so to actually finish something is a bit of a miracle and worth celebrating with a tidy-up!! My cat has her own chair (the best one of course) and she loves to be in there when I’m in full on creative mode. It’s taught me that it’s ok to be messy, that there is actually order in amongst what appears to be chaos and there are no rules about when something “should” be finished as it’s my space and I make the rules :)
Your video on cleaning out and organizing came at the perfect time. I have a move looming in the near future and was just thinking about downsizing "my stuff"!
Most art-making sessions involve a quick clearing of my desk space to make room to work. Having designated jars, drawers, shelves, and carts helps, but it's not enough. As I approach my 9th decade, I can't put off a more general organization. It's a slow process, but as I get rid of piles and boxes of half-finished exercises and barely touched materials, I've found more physical and mental space and time for the artwork I really want to make.
I lived in Scottsdale and Fountain Hills for 18 years ! I have my creative highs in a certain coffee shop, sitting at a certain table, facing a certain way, a cleansing breath helps to remove the mind clutter and ushers in a creative peace comes over me whispering, its time to write. At home a particular arm chair speaks to me, this is your spot. read, pray, meditate, create and simple be.
Consistency provides a safe place for creating. So many artists/designers/musicians wear the same thing every day, follow the same schedule, remove all unnecessary distractions and decisions so their imaginations can run free.
P.S. Writing this reply to your comment inspired me to write my next essay on the subject of consistency and habit.
What a touching story--me too--always one more supply, a different tray, the other smoother paper, etc. I can find all kinds of ways to procrastinate--and yet, when we moved into a new space, I set up a desk in front of the window separate from my paper work, no computer on it and named it the art desk. I still can find excuses but I'm far more likely to get going and get back to something I've started when I can leave all in place. So happy for you that you have your special "spot" to continue your wonderful journey
And I’m so glad you’re coming along with me!
Please just keep sharing so openly and honestly; I feels so good to know I’m not the only one!
For years, when my kids were little, I didn't have any kind of studio. I used to set my oils up on the kitchen table while they were at school. I painted a 50x60” oil on my kitchen table with a small portable easel. I would get deep into a project and my kids, hubby would come in and look at what I was doing and make unhelpful comments. So I stopped again (becoming blocked being a pattern) When my eldest was away at college for a number of years and wasn't coming back, I took over a corner of her room. It was great, perfect light. Then through life's travails I moved out west, again a corner, and back east again now in a one bed. I have a corner and it’s enough. I used to have a mind palace thing where I’d imagine myself moving into an industrial loft, it helped focus my anxiety but it was never real, lately I’ve realized it doesn’t matter. All I need is a corner, I’m not planning on painting any 8 foot paintings and work mostly small now, and if I decide to, I’ll find a way.
I used to use a dining room chair as an easel in my first apartment. All that mattered was making stuff. Any stuff, anyhow.
This video made me laugh out loud! I have pen creep, I have bins, I have cords, I have the little camera that I thought would be awesome to make videos of the journey to work on my bike, and to video "whatever". Then life happens, elderly family needs care, things get packed and it's easier to procrastinate about the "doing". Thank you, I realized that I am making excuses instead of art.
I’ve had a space to paint in my garage; unfortunately the weather has to be right, not too cold or hot. Recently we got rid of a big old computer desk that was taking up space, and I was able to move my “studio” inside to a nice spot by a window. It’s very inviting and I don’t need space heaters or fans to keep it comfortable! Love your essays, Danny!
Glad you landed here. Welcome!
Me too!
I love reading these stories of your childhood and books (librarian and writer of picture books). That photo of you in Pakistan is gold. My creative spaces have been varied and honestly the one where I have created the most has been a jerry rigged bedroom. The key has been having my core supplies out and my artwork on a wall. Inspiration and motivation. I agree it’s all about what I bring to the space and moment.
I like to think of the world as my studio. This week it is in Paris. I went to Sennelier and found a sample sketch book that I wanted. A small Hahnemuhler (?) watercolour. They couldn’t find one in stock and so sold me it at I suppose a reduced price as someone had tried a pencil in it making it more precious to me. Today a girl around seven approached me as I sketched at Place de Vosges. She told me very assuredly that I was her artist and I would teach her to be an artist. I would come to her apartment and teach her. I explained that I lived in Nouvelle Ecosse but if she drew and painted nearly every day that would work.
All this to say that’s kind of what you did for me. Thank you.
Happy to see/ read you on Substack also. 📚✏️☺️
So glad you are here. Do be do be do♥️
Love this, Danny!! Totally resonates with me and some of my journey.
Welcome home Danny. This is a very good space. I enjoyed your essay today!
I’ve taken over a spare room in our home - a small room where I draw,cut,create,paint and generally just play. I, too, have regular tidy up sessions usually after I have completed something. I tend to have at least 3 different projects on the go using different mediums - so to actually finish something is a bit of a miracle and worth celebrating with a tidy-up!! My cat has her own chair (the best one of course) and she loves to be in there when I’m in full on creative mode. It’s taught me that it’s ok to be messy, that there is actually order in amongst what appears to be chaos and there are no rules about when something “should” be finished as it’s my space and I make the rules :)
Your video on cleaning out and organizing came at the perfect time. I have a move looming in the near future and was just thinking about downsizing "my stuff"!