I have a very small space with a window and a monstera that is always trying to attack me, I realized this is all I really need. If I had a bigger space I would just buy more stuff and it would go on and on…
Hans and Peter!!! I’ve never known anyone else to read that book! ( I know that’s not the point of your essay,but it drew me in!) I loved seeing the pictures 😊❤️
Welcome to Substack Danny! So glad to read you here :)
Despite making an art space I end up creating at the dining table where supplies are around within reach, have been aiming for a daily art practice this year!
Your article resonates with my art journey and the yearning for a space we call our own. Thanks for sharing!
Up until June of this year I didn't have a space devoted entirely to my art. I have had a home office in a spare bedroom since I bought my house 17 years ago. All those years I did almost no art, and in June I decided to change that.
The room with the best light is my dining room. It has a large picture window on one side, French doors that open to the patio on the far end, and light from the living room and kitchen as well. Since I never have people over, I decided to make it my studio. It's perfect! I covered the dining room table with thick vinyl and got busy. I sketch every day now, write and make collage in my art journal as well. It's always there ready and waiting for me. After work when I'm tired, it's so relaxing to sit there and create with Debussy or another favorite playing in the background. Having that space has been truly amazing, but it isn't just the space. It's the intentional inclusion of art in my everyday life. I could have accomplished that another way perhaps, but this has certainly been a help and I am incredibly grateful for it. Thank you for your story.
Creativity has come and gone in waves as life’s responsibilities ebbed and flowed. At times both space and time felt like they weren’t my own.
Today, I vacuumed under the bed. The dust was like a layer of snow in places. Once a patch was cleared I crawled under and lay looking at the underside of the bed, enjoying a moment of childlike joy. I think I’m sharing because in that little moment I was in a space that was uniquely mine.
We’ve lived in the same house for 10 years now, and three months ago (two months before our older son‘s wedding) our landlord told us he is selling the house. A little bit of a stress, considering the timing and considering our age. But I got to work packing. I started with my art studio. I organized. Didn’t throw out much, but knowing that pretty soon we’d be leaving I kept out the basic essentials. luckily, we just found a new house where I will have a room just for my art studio, And I have an opportunity to set it all up in a much more organized fashion…well as organized as it can be for a mixed media artist. I have found myself in withdrawal, though, from being able to come in my room, sit and choose whatever I want to create in the morning. So I look forward to the move!
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.
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 have a very small space with a window and a monstera that is always trying to attack me, I realized this is all I really need. If I had a bigger space I would just buy more stuff and it would go on and on…
Hans and Peter!!! I’ve never known anyone else to read that book! ( I know that’s not the point of your essay,but it drew me in!) I loved seeing the pictures 😊❤️
Welcome to Substack Danny! So glad to read you here :)
Despite making an art space I end up creating at the dining table where supplies are around within reach, have been aiming for a daily art practice this year!
Your article resonates with my art journey and the yearning for a space we call our own. Thanks for sharing!
I love this story, thank you
Up until June of this year I didn't have a space devoted entirely to my art. I have had a home office in a spare bedroom since I bought my house 17 years ago. All those years I did almost no art, and in June I decided to change that.
The room with the best light is my dining room. It has a large picture window on one side, French doors that open to the patio on the far end, and light from the living room and kitchen as well. Since I never have people over, I decided to make it my studio. It's perfect! I covered the dining room table with thick vinyl and got busy. I sketch every day now, write and make collage in my art journal as well. It's always there ready and waiting for me. After work when I'm tired, it's so relaxing to sit there and create with Debussy or another favorite playing in the background. Having that space has been truly amazing, but it isn't just the space. It's the intentional inclusion of art in my everyday life. I could have accomplished that another way perhaps, but this has certainly been a help and I am incredibly grateful for it. Thank you for your story.
Creativity has come and gone in waves as life’s responsibilities ebbed and flowed. At times both space and time felt like they weren’t my own.
Today, I vacuumed under the bed. The dust was like a layer of snow in places. Once a patch was cleared I crawled under and lay looking at the underside of the bed, enjoying a moment of childlike joy. I think I’m sharing because in that little moment I was in a space that was uniquely mine.
I look forward to hearing from you every Friday. I’m inspired then for the weekend and the week to come. Thank you for sharing your work.
Tom
Enjoyed this journey with you…thank you kind man. Appreciate your story.
We’ve lived in the same house for 10 years now, and three months ago (two months before our older son‘s wedding) our landlord told us he is selling the house. A little bit of a stress, considering the timing and considering our age. But I got to work packing. I started with my art studio. I organized. Didn’t throw out much, but knowing that pretty soon we’d be leaving I kept out the basic essentials. luckily, we just found a new house where I will have a room just for my art studio, And I have an opportunity to set it all up in a much more organized fashion…well as organized as it can be for a mixed media artist. I have found myself in withdrawal, though, from being able to come in my room, sit and choose whatever I want to create in the morning. So I look forward to the move!
Good luck with the move and congrats on a fresh chapter!
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.
Please just keep sharing so openly and honestly; I feels so good to know I’m not the only one!
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.