A monsoon rain poured down, leaking through the roof. Papers left in the danger zone became a soggy mess and mold threatened the honey based watercolor paint. On one side of the room, jungle vines snaked in between the screens and the brickwork. A few long tendrils of plantness hung from the ceiling.
My studio had become Jumanji.
In hindsight, it was doomed to fail. Take my word on this, Thailand is not the place for an open air studio, regardless of how romantic the idea might sound. But I had convinced myself that I could take the heat and stubbornly ignored dust wafting into the room every time a scooter whizzed by. For two years I shuffled things over to the dry side and did damage control during rainy season.
Enough.
I hijacked the second bedroom and sprung for an AC unit. Tables got wiped down and rescued from the old porch; canvases (Gekko poop removed) were hauled in; art supplies were reorganized, categorized, and lovingly laid out like some elaborate surgeon’s tool kit. It was time to work.
What you need to understand is that artists are creatures of habit. They show up to work everyday, whether they want to or not, and having a routine is especially important when it’s the latter. A new space requires all sorts of unexpected adjustments. What’s the best configuration for the tables? Where do the lights go? How to make use of every available nook and cranny to accommodate and compartmentalize stacks of work: drawings in progress, old work, student work, idea sketches, reference material, demos, and my favorite catagory, “B work.” B work is not good enough to frame or put on the website, but has the potential to turn into something fabulous down the road. Like a collage. Ha!
Now where’s that favorite brush of mine, that thumbnail, my tube of lavender? Who moved the scraper? And why is my palette so far away from the easel?
It’s a process. When setting up a new studio, expect some serious delay in the action. Be patient. Get to know the space. But most of all, get back to work. Because it’s the actual production that leads the way, dictating where this goes and that. Chaos comes before order. Just like in painting.
Sharon Boyle
So good to hear this. I needed to see your space. Thank you Amy. Love, Sharie
artconsp
Thank YOU Sharie!
Nancy filsinger
You created a great
Space in which to create!
artconsp
I did! Now to work!!! (I got a fun commission to do. Ha!)
Don
Amy/
I love the reminder of process and the way the space reminds us that there is an important one. I love the new space, and the fact that you made it so much better!
Survivor! The fact that you ground through and just made it. So glad you are whole.
Best,
artconsp
Thanks Don!
Barb
And this too is a creative process and the results keep changing until success
artconsp
You are so right Barb!
Sharon O
Great piece Amy. A day in the life!¡! Would love to experience it there.
Xoxo
artconsp
Any time my friend! Hope you’re enjoying the dog days of summer!
Adelia Ritchie
Love it. I want to visit someday!! Xoxo
artconsp
Yes please. But it’s a race to see who’s going to visit who (whom?) first!!
Pam
So many new stories to show up. Can’t wait to see what happens
artconsp
Me too! Hi Pam!
Denise Potter
Amy, Yes! Your description of settling into a new space is right on. Chaos before the calm. You were a brave girl with the open air studio including the gecko poop! And all the plantness. Enjoy your new space!
artconsp
Hi Denise!! I think of you often when I walk by the spot where you stayed in Chiang Mai. We had a good time didn’t we?
Jim
Hi Amy,
So good to hear from you! Best of luck in the new space. I know that you will have fun no matter if it’s A,B or C work. It’s the process, right.
Jim
artconsp
You got that right!
Rita
Amy,
I would be very happy to frame and proudly hang all your B pieces. It would be like getting a sketch discarded by Michaelangelo!
Rita