The Studio

Upstairs, at the very end of the hallway, there is what I've donned as "the studio." You see, I've always dreamed of having a space for art. A room to sprawl out with a mess: paper, paints, pencils, fabric, glue, and all the goods that messes typically spill out as when I make them. So when we moved, and ended up with three bedrooms in addition to a basement, this room emerged as the space I've always wanted. One filled with natural light, a big wide desk, and room to sprawl out. 

An art room really needs materials right at your fingertips, am I right? That way no setting up really has to happen. Its all right there, whenever you need it. It's kind of funny to think that the over the toilet shelf that we built for our tiny place in Denver has now become the perfect set up for all of my art supplies. You wouldn't even know it if I told you that is was in a bathroom for the past two years. Between the shelf, the wire drawers from Ikea, and the closet; this room has such great storage.

Secretly, I chose this room not only because of the lighting, but because it feels like you are in a treehouse. The ash tree in the backyard nearly reaches into the window. Its so calming and pretty to work on a piece of calligraphy or paint up here.

Although the closet side of the room is basically art storage until they each find a home on walls throughout the house, I feel like this room is pretty well under way. Eventually I'd like to have a little lounger or a comfy retro loveseat that can go between the door and the closet. Wouldn't it be great to just curl up with a book in here with a view into the winding branches of the ash tree outside? I've been playing with color ideas, and want to stick with something that is bright and clean, and still allows the aquas and red that are in the collection of art above the desk to have that pop. I may stick with the neutral for awhile until maybe just going with white, but I've also been toying with the idea of a color blocked/two-tone wall. Like this, this, or this. Kind of bold, BUT lately I'm obsessed with this idea. I'm just so thrilled to have a home. And so thankful to have this studio and space to make messes. Trust me, this is the cleanest its looked since we moved here ;)

Saw Horse Desk | Part One of Two

This post is more show than tell, more camera savvy than instruction savvy, and more spacious than cramped. And I promise, dimensions, materials needed, and the play by play for this spacious beauty of a desk to be written about soon (just in case you want to spend a weekend busting this one out, like we did). For now, I'm just going to post this quick so I can look at the photos again and feel so proud that we made it.

Creative Space & A Saw Horse Desk

I have been reflecting a lot lately on who God has created me to be. When I think back to my little girl memories, and the things I would pour myself into and spend my time doing (because as a young girl your agenda is to play and explore the world and nothing should stop you) what my eyes are re-opened to is this image of me with a pencil, a paint brush, glue, scissors, paper, and whatever else I could find to make things with. I spent "me" time drawing, making, and in a child-like manner designing. Before the busy-ness and demands of life came swopping in, this was my priority. letting my artistic inside come out, reservation free. So when I reflect on how God has knit my inner most being, this is so much at the core. A part that will always be there. 

For a long time now, years really, I have made this creative core something to be put on pause. Until recently, I hadn't picked up a paint brush for 5 years. Because drawing, painting, designing, or making--I was jaded into not making them a priority. Even though, the core of who I am longs for these things. The world for a long time negated me when it came to the arts, and told me that to be successful, to contribute to society. An I believed it, feeling guilty when I'd lock myself away from the world to spent time in my artistic element. I've realized, though, I am my best and I am my happiest when I can create and have the space to do so. One space being this blog, and another a tangible work space. And not just any space, but a retreat of sorts--a place that can be away, free of guilt, and full of artistic potential.