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Studio
Don’t worry, this isn’t a picture of my new living room re-do (where I reveal my very bad decorating skills…). No, rather, this is my studio and workshop. It’s the upstairs of one of our smaller barns.
In the summer, I am fraught with large scary spiders (I always wear a hat), wasps, and temperatures above 90. Oh yes, and ants that like to bore through the wood.
Winter brings it’s own challenges–no heat (I just bought a propane heater, which helps)–but all my paints are frozen. I have to haul water up. I can’t create sawdust while I have the heater on because of the open flame (POOF!).
And yet, with nothing much I could do other than organize a few things, drink my coffee and page through some magazines, I spent a good few hours up here. Blasting the stereo with Hot August Nights, Neil Diamond and I sang our way into a zen-like state of relaxation.
I’m working on a re-education plan. Re-learning how to play, I hope. Not just relax, but really play–paints, papier mache, and–when the going gets tough–maybe even some finger paints. It’s very therapeutic.
Just like Neil Diamond.
Any gal who locks herself in a room with Hot August Nights is my kind of person!
Now, that is a sensational studio. Color me jealous. As the husband adds outbuildings all related to horse keeping, I keep teasing him that someday we may have to add a studio for me. I’m just not too sure about the no heat and air thing. Does that reveal how spoiled and wimpy I am? Oops!
That’s not spoiled or wimpy, Anita–it’s just practical! Very hard to get too artsy with frozen paints, lol
. I hope to insulate and dry wall in the next few years.
Forget the no heat and no water, I see a well lit, spacious area where a creative person (like yourself) can hang out. I’m jealous (except for the wasps).
Are you sure you don’t want my wasps? They’re friendly! Lol.
The early Desert Fathers, within Christianity, were hermits, ascetics, monks, and nuns (Desert Mothers) who lived mainly in the Scetes desert of Egypt beginning around the third century AD. “Hesychasm” for the Desert Fathers was primarily the practice of “interior silence and continual prayer. They practiced this within their cells, small caves and mud huts. I suppose it could also be a loft in one of the barns.
“A certain brother went to Abbot Moses in Scete, and asked him for a good word. And the elder said to him: Go, sit in your cell, and your cell will teach you everything.”
Have an awesome week!!!
Wonderful, thanks Monte–have a great week yourself!
Two comments. First I was once a substitute teacher for a while, long long ago. I learned something from every teacher’s class. One was that most classes have a couple hyper-active kids that test a sub and stir up the class. One day I was asked to sub in a new classroom. With this class I learned that the hyper-active kids (plus a few others) would slip into creative thought if I just gave them a big hunk of clay to fool with — no matter the subject we were trying to learn they became quiet and introspective. I thought of this long ago experience as I read your post. Playing with creative objects gives our brain a rest and opens new avenues.
Secondly, Your studio photo was absolutely fabulous. I have a vintage shed with about the same amount of space that you have in your studio. I have thought of fixing it into something like a workplace. You have awakened fresh ideas for a possible studio/work area.
Thanks — barbara
I think it’s true. There’s a very calming effect. Sometimes words are inadequate and overrated in terms of self expression. Children are so much better at being themselves. We really have a lot to learn from them and how thet express themselves.
As for your studio, kudos Barbara! I hope it becomes whatever you want it to be.
Neat studio, I wish mine was in the loft of a barn!
I love your header image, reminds me of my Jack Russell Disco!
Same colors and eye patches.
Thanks–I am very fortunate, spiders and all! That fellow in my header is my greyhound Sam. He’s a great boy.
Thank you for stopping, I appreciate the comment and the visit.