A month ago today, I dove into the chaos of our sunroom and began carving out studio space we call our Creativity Tribe Studio. The process is still going on, with every day leading to a more usable, inspiring space. I began by taking out some things that didn’t meet our needs for a studio space, then I added a few things to help Artist Hubby and I get organized.
Once the center of the room was available, I moved in an old dining room table that folds down to a small buffet and can be pushed up against the wall. I covered it with brown paper to protect the wood from too much of a mess.
I grew my roots as an artist teaching classes to kids at the Art Museum of South Texas. I was good with kids and knew enough about materials that I could lead them in expressing themselves. Covering the table is a throw back to my museum days. Sometimes the paper stayed on for weeks, recording the doodles and markings of the artists that come and went.
Our studio table has become an outward map for my inward journey. Some days before I start on a project, I feel anxiety and self-doubt creep in. (What a lovely affirmation that I am alive.) To honor what I am feeling, I have begun leaving notes to myself on the paper. They help me move past what wants to be witnessed and into a place of freshness.
My studio table has become my journal.
Sometimes, too, the table has captured an image that I am as inspired by as what ends up on the canvas. My attention turns to it, and before I know it, it becomes the project. Art is everywhere.
This little winged woman has become a talisman to my creative journey. I may have grown my roots helping others express themselves, a calling that still brings me joy, but it will be through daring to share my own creativity that I will grow my wings. Even if that expression comes in the sanctuary of my studio.
Where do you find unexpected art? Do you have an art studio? I would love to hear about it and welcome you leaving a link to a post about your creativity zones.
Art of Collecting Yourself 
I love your idea of found art. I’m a writer and my studio consists of a computer table with bookshelf cubbies and ledge and a comfortable office chair. Since downsizing and moving from a town house in Las Colinas (near Dallas) to a lovely cottage in a small town near Fort Worth, my studio has become a corner of my bedroom.
Not that I’m complaining. My little house is blessed with many long windows, one of which is right by my desk, and I enjoy looking out on the wooded property that surrounds my sanctuary. On any given day, my two cats and I may see scurrying rabbits or squirrels, road runners and other interesting winged creatures and of course the resident canines who patrol the property.
I do have talismen (could that possibly be the plural of talisman?). The owl carving given to me by a friend who thinks I could use some of the little hooter’s wisdom. A coffee mug with a caracature of William Faulkner given to me by a professor. The name plate that decorated my former office back in the corporate phase of my career. And my character board, a collage of images of people and places that help me develop the characters and stories of my novels.
Your talismen sound powerful, lots of story and inspiration wrapped up in them. I love hearing about your cottage. I have a little cottage about half a mile from the water in Corpus Christi. When we were looking for a home, we wanted a place that would be filled with creative adventures. For awhile, we had to put those ideas aside, but now days it is the rule. And it never fails that our own fur babies a smack dab in the middle.
Rae – I love the idea of the paper on the table – for many years i used blotting papers because I am a doodler from way back. Nowadays my doodles and poems are coming together on one piece – I call these ‘poetrydoodles’ and they are so much fun.
I live in a small space and I have wanted for some time to have my own creative studio. This week i decided to let the universe know I was serious about this space by ‘acting as if’ – so I decided to divide my trestle table in 2.
One side is for work with the computer – the logical side of my brain if you like and the other is my creative side. The division is created by all my pens, markers and utensils sorted into cutlery dividers placed on a tray. when I want to play and be creative I go to the left hand side of my trestle table and when I need to put ideas onto the computer well that means a trip to the right of my trestle table,
It is not a perfect solution but it is surprisingly much better than trying to work all of it from the one desk without compartments….
Thank goodness we are creative creatures always looking for solutions…
Bless-sings
Melody, what a great solution. Some of my first studio spaces were more like tote bags that would follow me to a local cafe or a basket next to my chair….my lap as a table. I love how you are acting as if…and it is working!
no creativity zone at the moment but you’ve inspired me to turn a rarely used upstairs room into a creative space. thank you!
Wow Joss! I can’t wait to hear more about it!
What a great post Rae! I just love your spirit. I also use paper sometimes under whatever canvas or wood panel I’m working on, and yes, also jot down notes and thoughts that come my way. Usually it comes out as a new “positive self-talk” statement or simple mantra. And sometimes they end up in my art. I think you could use this paper in new original artwork. Kind of like making your papers for collage. 🙂
Thanks, Ann Marie! I had a dream this afternoon during a nap that I would use them for a line of cards. Hope to have them in the etsy shop I am opening.
oh what a lovely idea! Listen to those dreams. too often we set aside those moments of vision and insight that flow through during sleep.
I can so picture this room of yours, how awsome. The colors and drawings are too. I have several creativity sites our trailer. Kitchen is one for when I am creative in the kitchen cooking/canning etc, my sewing nook is another and my laptop & folding table yet another and last but not least My “bags & Totes ” that you had shared with me years ago in that very same cafe.LOL. Seeing these different areas as creative places iinstead of areas that Need to be kept extremely neat and organized has helped me overcome some of my OCD’ness. It has also allowed me to have more time to do those very things. Thank you Rae for being my creative Life Mentor and not even knowing it.
Awww, Rosemary! We are mentors to one another, huh? I have a lot still to learn from you. Like your recipe for Zucchini Muffins!!! I would love to someday be an artist in the kitchen like you are. 🙂
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