I was sitting on my couch journaling on Sunday before Christmas when it occurred to me that I could re-arrange my apartment so my art studio was more fun and functional.
I needed a new studio because my current set up wasn’t working. My art studio was really just a desk in my office. All my art supplies were at hand, but I wasn’t drawn to go there. (Pun not intended.)
So when the idea to shake things up arrived, I jotted notes. When I thought I was decamping to Paris, I had planned to pack everything in the last two weeks of the year. Now, I could move without going anywhere.
My friend Dennis came over and helped me. We shifted the living room and overtook the dining table for an art table, moving it in front of the sunny east-facing window. I now have a reading and journaling nook near the window.
Over the course of the holiday week I nested. Getting a new table, moving a bookcase, rearranging chairs – voila! I’m not done, but I upgraded my life without leaving home or spending money.
The new space arrangement is designed for how I want to live, making art at the center. It feels more functional and also larger and more clean.Best thing about my new studio? It’s already inspired me to make art. I’ve begun a new series. Last week, I made 23 pieces of art.
These greeting cards are gifts for my friends, family and clients. I loved making them and sending them, and I’ll be sharing them with you here. They’re something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time and I feel I’m entering year two of art school with a focus.
This is a lesson I keep learning – that I usually have everything I need right here. A few shifts, a new perspective is often all it takes for me to feel a sense of change or progress.
Upgrade your life without leaving home
Maybe you won’t be shifting your living room around just yet, but even a small shift can cause a sense of upgrade. What’s one thing in your creative space you could change this week? Some possibilities:
- get new lighting
- clear clutter from one spot
- try a new organizer
It could be time to upgrade your inner space, your thoughts and beliefs, a sort of refresher for your inner operating system. Maybe a shift in perspective is necessary?
- New income ceiling – how much money are you willing to bring in?
- New identity – is there a name you’ve been calling yourself that’s no longer apt?
- New inner voice – how about replacing the nag with the champion?
This is the kind of work I do as a coach – help my clients clean out dusty rooms both inside and outside. The space around us affects our inner space and how we achieve our creative projects.
Have you done any upgrades lately? Take a look around your world and see what simple things could shift everything.
Congratulations on your new space for the new year! I was forced to clean up my art space due to family coming for the holidays. When they left, the clean space was so inviting! Part of my resolve for the new year is to clean it more often. My office is another story. It’s always a disaster, which is not conducive to writing or even bill-paying. I can’t seem to find the cleaning/fixing of this problem creative, so I have to take it in small doses…baby steps. Some progress last year…more to come.
Sue,
That’s one of the best ways to be sure you’ll tidy up – invite guests over! I used to host a weekly writing group in my home and it was a great way to keep things shipshape!
I think your plan for small bites is a good one. That helped me last year when clearing out files and closets. I could only handle so much at a time. But persistent pecking away at it really adds up.
One thing for your office, I invite you to look at what functions you do in there and what layout or organizing principles will help. It seems like we often have a bad workflow to blame.
Good luck with it and have fun in your studio!
Cynthia
Cynthia, you’ve really inspired me. I have been ready to get rid of my living room furniture for awhile, and have just been waiting to find the right replacements – but it hasn’t really been a priority.
I also have a studio space that I’m not very inspired to go into. Now I’m inspired to turn my living/dining room into an intentional studio space instead of just “camping out” at the dining room table. Who says it has to be a living room?
Moira,
I’m so glad!
Isn’t it cool how the right motivation – having space for art – makes all the difference? And realizing you can make the rules in your own home?
I can’t wait to see what happens for you! Try to take photos of before/after. I’m gathering some of mine because it’s visually and viscerally so different.
I’m so happy we both get to start the year with more space for our art. Woo!
Cynthia, I’ve been working on just this type of thing. I have a new business and in a way a new “me” and it’s likely contributed to the feeling that my home isn’t quite right for me any more. Well, it’s not feasible for my family to move right now so I’ve decided that changing things up is in order. Rearranging, painting all the walls, etc. I thinks most if us get comfortable in our homes and think “it’s good enough”, or we take the drastic step of moving, when maybe we don’t need to do either. It’s helpful for me to ask the question “what am I tolerating that’s no longer working?”
I love what you did with your dining room table! Perfect.
Lisa,
I love the movement I hear in your comment – have you made the changes yet or still planning too? I ask because I want to know how it feels for you to make the changes. To me the big win is feeling the space to be more focused on my art.
I always want to pause to absorb that feeling of change, because as you mentioned, we get all too complacent all too quickly. It’s scary how we don’t even notice how entrenched our patterns are.
I’ve focused a lot on the outer changes I mentioned here and in my annual report. Now it’s time to look at some of the inner changes I mentioned. I am trusting that my new space will support my new outlook.
I love the table, too. It’s my friend David’s table so I like to think I borrow some of his creative juju when I work here.
Please keep in touch about what shifts for you! And thanks for commenting here. It’s fun getting to know you!
Your new space arrangement looks luscious, Cynthia. Just as I’d like too… facing east with lots of light. Last Nov/Dec I flip flopped my computer desk to my art desk which gave me a larger work space too. I’m enjoying that spaciousness. So that takes care of the outside. Now you have me considering the many internal tweakings I can add to the mix also. I’m overdue for an upgrade and revamping. Thank you for suggesting that! You’re a great coach!
Thanks, Debra! It is luscious. Every room in my home has always pleased me, and now I feel like I have at least 30% more space and 100% more functional to me.
I so wish I could have you and all my online friends over to show you! I’m going to take some pictures and videos soon.
We’re together on the internal shifts. They are ongoing, from what I’ve seen and expect! That’s why it helps to be in it together. Thanks for being part of the conversation and for being part of the Wow, too!
Your support means a lot to me. Merci!
Ditto in all things, Cynthia. I look forward to the “tour” too. Blessings!
I’m so thrilled to hear about your new studio space! And all the new work you are creating!
I was nervous having you over to the warehouse…as there in no couch or proper seating anywhere, no living room, really.
The art studio is where I do my best living, so that’s how I’ve arrange my space. 🙂
I always did have trouble committing to a couch – but that’s another story.
Lisa,
You were a major part of this up level! Both seeing your space – LOVE IT!! and having your help making art a priority in the physical realm was so vital.
I want you to come over! You will love my couch.
Starting in August I threw a ton of stuff away or gave it away. I dumped client files, real and electronic. I dumped my old biz cards and started using my stationery as scratch paper or for journaling. A couple of weeks ago I finally got new biz cards with my new identity. (major hurdle) I’m waiting for some new eyeglass frames after 4 years of the old ones.
I’ve been growing out my hair for about 2 1/2 years (It was really short). I’ll be changing some of my photography on the walls and framing more current work. I’m going to be donating most of my books to our wonderful library book sale (tough) which means I can get rid of a huge bookshelf and 2 4-drawer files in my office, opening up one wall for more photos.
Much of my deep dumping took a lot of guts. It meant letting go of many layers of my past lives without knowing if I could move on to something new once again. It’s so cliched but true.
I feel like I’ve turned a corner, finally. I’m comfortable on the road even if I don’t know where it’s headed.
Your honest sharing really helps. Great post.
Bobbi,
WOW!! How awesome does all that feel? I know it’s good because we are on parallel tracks. I did a lot of that, too, and absolutely feel the difference.
It does take guts. It’s a lot of decision making, and with that comes emotions. With each decision, we’re kind of deciding who we are and what we care about.
Our stuff – and our bodies- do in part define us, so it’s good to keep it clean. I am happy for you and for the sense of you-ness you get to savor now. More room for your abundant creativity!
Glad you liked this post. Thanks for commenting!