I thought I was going to miss the Where Bloggers Create Party for this year. My studio was a mess and I didn't think I would have time to clean it up. But I ended up with some surprise time. So, I'm just a bit late but I'm scooting in here in the last minutes. Yea! Thank you Karen Valentine for letting me sneak in. **After writing the previous words last night the breaker broke for my studio. I only had one light on so don't know what the deal is. But the problem seems to be more complicated than just flipping the switch in the garage. So I was waiting until morning to take my pictures but have found they are still fairly dark. I've used the ones that are less dark and tweaked them in Photoshop trying to get a bit more light. I do apologize for their lacking in quality.)
If you've followed this event for a while now you might remember that I used to have a large sunny room for a studio. (see that studio here) Then we moved and I had a room that was much smaller. (see that studio here) Well, we are still in that same house but I found I couldn't work in that room. I needed sunshine. So, I've moved to an even smaller room with only one window. What in the world?!! But, at least the sun shines in!
It has been quite an adjustment and I have had to rethink pretty much everything. For one thing there is very little room for fluff. You have to start thinking about just what is necessary. But I do love that sunshine. The view isn't amazing but I need to be working and not staring out the window anyway. In this room, where space is of a premium, the cats have bunk beds.
I do find that at least once a week I wonder if I couldn't find a way to fit my larger work table into this room. I get my trusty tape measure out and check to see if the walls have gotten any longer since the last time I measured. And, once again I see that there is no way to fit that large table in here. Actually, the truth is that I usually have a messy table with only a small workspace -- whether the table is large or small. A lot of the larger table was filled with the cat's baskets. And if you can see Rose the black cat in this dark photo you will see that she still prefers the table to her bed.
I kept one of the 2 teacher's desks from the previous room. I love how the typing table in this desk works to keep my sewing
machine. And then when I'm finished, it just tucks right back where it
came from. If I did not use this large desk, I could fit my large work table in. But I'd lose that way cool sewing cabinet. So, we make choices..... and then we live with them. (This picture is from the last time I shared. The light wouldn't let me get a good pic today of the sewing machine out.)
My daughter made this chair that the tv sets on in college. It was a sculpture class and they were supposed to make a chair that represents themselves. So, I guess this is a portrait of my daughter that sits beneath a painted portrait of her on the wall. I never realized how redundant that is until I typed it here.
And then about every other week, I think I might want to bring my drafting table back. But I use a tabletop drawing board that works quite well and the drafting table is only sentimental.
So, I guess its really about learning to be content and making things work, making them enough.
I have several creative decorating plans for this room. That will give us something to talk about next year. And hopefully we will have light next year!!
Thank you for joining me in my little studio today. I've loved having you here in spite of the complications. By the way, the lovely design for my blog background was created by Karen Valentine using my art. Its been a few years and I keep thinking I should have her redo it. But I really like this one so I just keep it. She does professional personalized work. If your blog needs a little boost, I recommend Karen for blog design.
I just love the look of my blog. Sometimes I just sit and appreciate it.
I can say that because I didn't do it.
Karen Valentine of Valentine Design and My Desert Cottage designed my blog a little over a year ago. She took my own drawings and put them together to create a background and banner that is uniquely mine. Then Karen added special touches in the tabs and the sidebar so that everything goes together. I have to say that I get a lot of compliments on it.
Maybe your blog needs a boost. I used to change my blog constantly. I changed the background every few weeks and moved things around in the sidebar chronically. I lacked direction and had no idea which way to go. So I just followed the crowd. Now, I am content because it has unity and a finished look.
Karen is not only talented at designing a unique blog, she is also great to work with, and she is full of helpful guiding information. You would love working with her. Here is her design site.
Or if you are techy, you could purchase Karen's book Building Beautiful Blogs. She explains in very clear details how to do just about anything you might want to do on your blog.
Hop on over to Karen's gallery and see some of the other blogs she has designed. You'll be impressed.
This guy's been waiting for me to give him a little canvas
for a long time. He's a study in patience.
Its a party and you're invited! Karen Valentine of My Desert Cottage is having a blog party called Where Bloggers Create. The point is to show off the space where you create and then to visit where other creative bloggers work. It is great for inspiration, new ideas for decor and for organization, and for meeting new friends. Come along and join in on the fun. Bring your cup of tea and a notebook. You might want to write something down.
Pencils! Better than eggs in this basket!
I am a pencil artist, so much of my space is dedicated to drawing space and storage to support my pencil addiction. : ) I use a variety of types of pencils so there is a necessity for a large number of pencils. Most of the containers they come in are less than ideal. I'm still waiting for someone to design the perfect pencil box! And often I purchase my pencils through open stock, buying just a few at a time. I could toss them all into a box. But, not only would that be less than creative, it wouldn't be very practical for finding just the right color when I'm using them and in a hurry. --Here, in the background, you can see a brush display holder that I gleaned from Hobby Lobby. Years ago I was teaching through the store and they were going to toss this display case out. I was happy to help them take out the trash. Then in the front of the picture, I've used tea tins to separate the different kinds of pencils in a basket.
What?!! Isn't this what a relish plate is for?
The vintage relish dish was given to me by a friend. It isn't perfect for the pencils but it is fun, and that counts for something too. So I use it anyway. When I do art journaling using only pencils, it takes a variety of kinds. I like to choose the colors for my palette and then separate the different types of pencils here.
The same friend gave me this "crystal" pencil tray. Actually, its an old plastic dish, probably meant to be thrown away after serving sandwiches at a party. But we can pretend, can't we? I enjoy using it to lay out the pencils I am going to use for a project. It just feels better when I look at it to gather the next color. Its all about atmosphere!
My one of a kind crystal pencil dish!
This is where I draw most of the time. Well, admittedly sometimes I draw using a board on the couch. But, this is the official location. The second story windows are usually open and most often there is a cat either in the basket beside me or in my lap trying to catch the pencil. In the background you can see the wooden file cabinets that I mentioned buying last year. They have allowed me to streamline some of my storage and I love how they look. The large school teacher's desk is where I do much of the recording for my online classes.
Animal portraiture is my specialty. But lately I find myself moving toward a more illustrative type of subject. This is where the ideas that only live in my head can come to a moment of life on the paper. I offer no explanation for these pieces. I like to let the viewer see them in the unique way that touches them. If you wish you can see more of my work in my Wind and Honey Shop or through my Etsy shop. I have taught art classes to local students as young as 5 and as old as ...., well, they probably don't want me to tell you how high that goes. But lets just say some of them are great grandmothers. Over the years, I've taught a variety of media. But my favorite is drawing. I love to do all kinds of art. But drawing always feels like I've come home. And I love helping new students learn to draw. My favorites are the ones that have always thought they couldn't do it. Then they are amazed and delighted at the same time when they find the lessons opening up for them. Those moments make me smile.
Last year I branched out into teaching online drawing classes through a video format. It really works well as the camera is just over my shoulder and everything I do shows on the camera. My classes start at the very beginning for those with no experience. Then I also have workshops for those who already have some drawing background. There are classes in both graphite black and white and in colored pencils. I have taught through Artful Gathering and also through my own site Creative Pencils.
Vintage silverware, little frames, & a nest egg!
Love these shelves!!!
I do still love to play with mixed media collage and with digital collage. But since I am teaching so much and focusing on drawing, I don't have a whole lot of time to create collages. But by determination, I still find little ways to work it into my schedule 'just for fun' when I need a break.
Recently we renovated our kitchen. There was no longer any place to keep these great stainless steel shelves. So, they moved to the studio, where everything "stray" ends up. Wow, all that junk that had been piled on the floor is now stacked in order on these shelves. What a difference!
My daughter made this cool dish in her first ceramics class in college.
I made a video of my studio recently as a teacher for Artful Gathering. I am including it here. It will show the whole room more clearly, should you wish to see it.
Thank you for joining me today. I've loved having you here. I am anxious to see your studio and find wonderful and inspiring ideas. I'll be there soon. Put the kettle on.
I am an artist / instructor specializing in illustrative pencil art.
My art focuses on the delights of life, mostly on the relationship between children and animals. I teach online drawing lessons through a video format that allows interaction between the students and the teacher.
I have been married to the Poet for over 35 years. He is a gem and we have 2 adult children who are artists in their own right.
Having said all of that, in the end, I am really just a pencil artist "drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes." It is my prayer that my images and my words would inspire you to hope and to know the Author of hope.
