"Theres a world where I can go and tell my secrets to
In my room, in my room
In this world I lock out all my worries and my fears
In my room, in my room"
-Beach Boys
It may seem to some that I am constantly in a state of "studio re-do" when in fact it's only been a couple of times. When I first redid the room, new paint, took out cabinets etc. I arranged it more for aesthetic purposes rather than function. It looked nice yes, but when push came to shove getting down to the business of art things were not in convenient places. That's how you find out though, you work in it for a while and see what does and doesn't work. Then lately it got disheveled and unseemly and I was starting to trip over things......and again it needed to be a sort of artistic command center for the various mediums. So with the help of G (the best right hand man around) it now functions AND it's pleasing to look at. My lighting wasn't very good this morning as the sun is just now starting to come out and I do have a lot of white in there. (to let other things pop with color)
Over time I am sure the various treasures I've collected and gifts I've receieved will be rearranged....to somewhat rotate what I have - I have been so honored to receive gifts from blogger friends over the last 2+ years. (some may catch sight of some around the room)The wall above the computer area is still very blank( but that won't last)...it's ready for some art and a cubby hole cabinet I'm looking for. So do you want to take the tour? This room is 12' 7" X 11'.
This is the view when you walk in the room, that window faces the front of the house. The work table needs a new cover (I annihilated the other one) and it doesn't stay this empty....after all, it is the WORK table. (We bought that table at a salvage yard you may remember and G painted it for me) Everything I need is right near me from pencils to paint to mediums to you name it. All labeled and ready for use at any moment.
This is the opposite wall of the work table wall. You will see in some of the other photos a closer view of a few of these things.
This is the closet wall to the left as you walk in the room (the closet is behind the curtain) I am actually putting up a new curtain later today so I can change them out for washing. Coco stands ready for to have a makeover and photoshoot again soon....she's a bit of a rennaisance woman as slung over her shoulder is a pink suede tool belt.
This is the wall opposite the closet wall. Here you can see what we did with the homasote board and the lovely silk dupioni I posted before. This inspiration board is 4' wide x 6' tall and G did a fabulouse job of adhering it to the wall with boards behind it that he screwed to the wall then screwed the homasote to those boards. I camoflauged the screws and the washers behind them with Adirondack ink so they don't stand out.
You can see some of those Storybook dolls on display over the window.
Here is a closer view. The orange paper tacked on there is something I am going to make a paper lantern with. The rest of the board is ready to tack up all myriad of things. It's a very inexpensive way to have an inspiration/bulletin board in your studio....it's made of compressed paper and takes tacks and push pins very well. (the size can be whatever you want) AND it's not super heavy.
This is a closer view of many of my art supplies labeled and convenient. And of course a few dolls I own and some I've made on top. That new chair is so comfy and although in photos it seems giant it really isn't and fits the space very well. I can easily turn to get what I need and to put things away when I am done with them,. (that's really the key to keeping it less chaotic)
This to the right of the front window on the other side of the work table. I mostly use the TV to listen to Satellite radio channels but I do have a wee DVD player should I want to have a movie on. I am typing from this spot as we speak. The blankness will eventually have some new art and I am looking for a certain thing to hang on the wall as well.
Underneath the work table to the left of the computer is my sewing machine, plugged in and ready to be put on top for use.
This is where all the fabric stash is (I still need to go through and neaten it all up- it's a bit of jumble) The other clear drawers are ribbons, trim and you name it. Those, also, need a bit of unjumbling) The jars on top have buttons and various other items. (I have a stool I keep in here to reach these things...I am a bit height challenged - ha!)
This is the side window.....this is a sort of sewing cart with various items and just some of my thread. The window AC is there and when the weather finally turns cool it will come out (the AC) so I can get a cross breeze going. The round boxes hold Coco's vintage hat wear.
I can roll the cart over to the table when I sew. I need to find another place for the typewriter and dress form though. (still working on that)
This cabinet we bought a while back at the Alameda flea market. It's counter height so G cut a piece of wood for the top and then mounted the vise for me in the corner. Now it's a work station for the dremel, drill, soldering and so on. It's just the right size.
Just some nature treasures I've collected....not all of it but it all reminds of some place, some person or some moment.
This trio of Japanese dolls are in that collection you saw earlier. My oldest brother was in the Marines when I was little and brought these back for me from Japan, I was about 10 years old. I've always treasured these dolls and they've held up well after 44 years. (go ahead, do the math)
These are 2 French clay dolls I bought in the South of France 11 years ago. She seems to have lost her basket but he carries a bunch of lavender. I believe I showed these in a post on my old blog at one time.
I have track lighting on the ceiling and a couple goose neck lamps but the lighting is still an issue....that's what will be worked on next.
One thing that's important to me is to surround myself with memories and things that make me happy. So not only is this space my ART STUDIO it is also a place to display those things. When I look around my heart is full..........I am extremely grateful I have this room to call my own and to be able to have room to work.....AND to have a fabulous husband who is at the ready to saw something, hang something, move something, make something.......whatever is needed. I feel very blessed indeed.
Thank you for looking around - I hope you enjoyed the tour. You don't have to have an entire room, wherever you have earmarked to work on art or sewing or both or whatever it is you do.....just make sure everything is handy and within reach...and labeled. That truly makes a difference rather than scratching your head wondering "now where did I put that ______?"
I hope you had a great weekend!
Love,
Lisa
XOXOXO
In my room, in my room
In this world I lock out all my worries and my fears
In my room, in my room"
-Beach Boys
It may seem to some that I am constantly in a state of "studio re-do" when in fact it's only been a couple of times. When I first redid the room, new paint, took out cabinets etc. I arranged it more for aesthetic purposes rather than function. It looked nice yes, but when push came to shove getting down to the business of art things were not in convenient places. That's how you find out though, you work in it for a while and see what does and doesn't work. Then lately it got disheveled and unseemly and I was starting to trip over things......and again it needed to be a sort of artistic command center for the various mediums. So with the help of G (the best right hand man around) it now functions AND it's pleasing to look at. My lighting wasn't very good this morning as the sun is just now starting to come out and I do have a lot of white in there. (to let other things pop with color)
Over time I am sure the various treasures I've collected and gifts I've receieved will be rearranged....to somewhat rotate what I have - I have been so honored to receive gifts from blogger friends over the last 2+ years. (some may catch sight of some around the room)The wall above the computer area is still very blank( but that won't last)...it's ready for some art and a cubby hole cabinet I'm looking for. So do you want to take the tour? This room is 12' 7" X 11'.
This is the view when you walk in the room, that window faces the front of the house. The work table needs a new cover (I annihilated the other one) and it doesn't stay this empty....after all, it is the WORK table. (We bought that table at a salvage yard you may remember and G painted it for me) Everything I need is right near me from pencils to paint to mediums to you name it. All labeled and ready for use at any moment.
This is the opposite wall of the work table wall. You will see in some of the other photos a closer view of a few of these things.
This is the closet wall to the left as you walk in the room (the closet is behind the curtain) I am actually putting up a new curtain later today so I can change them out for washing. Coco stands ready for to have a makeover and photoshoot again soon....she's a bit of a rennaisance woman as slung over her shoulder is a pink suede tool belt.
This is the wall opposite the closet wall. Here you can see what we did with the homasote board and the lovely silk dupioni I posted before. This inspiration board is 4' wide x 6' tall and G did a fabulouse job of adhering it to the wall with boards behind it that he screwed to the wall then screwed the homasote to those boards. I camoflauged the screws and the washers behind them with Adirondack ink so they don't stand out.
You can see some of those Storybook dolls on display over the window.
Here is a closer view. The orange paper tacked on there is something I am going to make a paper lantern with. The rest of the board is ready to tack up all myriad of things. It's a very inexpensive way to have an inspiration/bulletin board in your studio....it's made of compressed paper and takes tacks and push pins very well. (the size can be whatever you want) AND it's not super heavy.
This is a closer view of many of my art supplies labeled and convenient. And of course a few dolls I own and some I've made on top. That new chair is so comfy and although in photos it seems giant it really isn't and fits the space very well. I can easily turn to get what I need and to put things away when I am done with them,. (that's really the key to keeping it less chaotic)
This to the right of the front window on the other side of the work table. I mostly use the TV to listen to Satellite radio channels but I do have a wee DVD player should I want to have a movie on. I am typing from this spot as we speak. The blankness will eventually have some new art and I am looking for a certain thing to hang on the wall as well.
Underneath the work table to the left of the computer is my sewing machine, plugged in and ready to be put on top for use.
This is where all the fabric stash is (I still need to go through and neaten it all up- it's a bit of jumble) The other clear drawers are ribbons, trim and you name it. Those, also, need a bit of unjumbling) The jars on top have buttons and various other items. (I have a stool I keep in here to reach these things...I am a bit height challenged - ha!)
This is the side window.....this is a sort of sewing cart with various items and just some of my thread. The window AC is there and when the weather finally turns cool it will come out (the AC) so I can get a cross breeze going. The round boxes hold Coco's vintage hat wear.
I can roll the cart over to the table when I sew. I need to find another place for the typewriter and dress form though. (still working on that)
This cabinet we bought a while back at the Alameda flea market. It's counter height so G cut a piece of wood for the top and then mounted the vise for me in the corner. Now it's a work station for the dremel, drill, soldering and so on. It's just the right size.
Just some nature treasures I've collected....not all of it but it all reminds of some place, some person or some moment.
This trio of Japanese dolls are in that collection you saw earlier. My oldest brother was in the Marines when I was little and brought these back for me from Japan, I was about 10 years old. I've always treasured these dolls and they've held up well after 44 years. (go ahead, do the math)
These are 2 French clay dolls I bought in the South of France 11 years ago. She seems to have lost her basket but he carries a bunch of lavender. I believe I showed these in a post on my old blog at one time.
I have track lighting on the ceiling and a couple goose neck lamps but the lighting is still an issue....that's what will be worked on next.
One thing that's important to me is to surround myself with memories and things that make me happy. So not only is this space my ART STUDIO it is also a place to display those things. When I look around my heart is full..........I am extremely grateful I have this room to call my own and to be able to have room to work.....AND to have a fabulous husband who is at the ready to saw something, hang something, move something, make something.......whatever is needed. I feel very blessed indeed.
Thank you for looking around - I hope you enjoyed the tour. You don't have to have an entire room, wherever you have earmarked to work on art or sewing or both or whatever it is you do.....just make sure everything is handy and within reach...and labeled. That truly makes a difference rather than scratching your head wondering "now where did I put that ______?"
I hope you had a great weekend!
Love,
Lisa
XOXOXO
