Annepersand

Bless my new studio

2011-02-16T07:32:00.000-08:00

West wall

Renovations to my new painting studio and classroom space are 95% completed. My deep appreciation to my dear husband, Bill, and sons (Russ & Matt) for doing the work. It is a dream space for me. The advantage of playing and exploring media over the past 19 years is that I know what I NEED to work. Lots of flat working space, loads of storage for supplies, good lighting, place for my books, music, sewing area, flat files within reach, water source nearby, and most of all......easy to keep clean and organized.

Sharing photos of my haven gives only a glimpse of what this space looks like. But it is far more satisfying to actually BE in this space. Everyone is invited to come and wallow in what I hope will be a den of inspiration.

North wall

East wall Library and administrative area

East wall with sewing area and flat files I hope to keep from cluttering!

There are still a few things that need to be done before calligraphy classes begin on March 1. But I'm testing the space to make sure things are efficiently stored away ready for me to pull when I need them.

Before Studio Arts I would spend every January hibernating, reflecting, regenerating, and incubating plans for the year. I have the luxury of enjoying January & February emptying my well so I can begin to fill it again. I found this haiku circa 2001 that rekindles the reason why winter is a time for hibernation.

So.......What's next?

2011-01-17T11:21:00.000-08:00

The transition from the responsibilities of being an owner of a business to not has left me wondering if I'm experiencing an identity crisis. During the two weeks spent going through all the things that needed to be done to close the business, my thoughts fantasized what life would be like without the burdens of owning Studio Arts.

People asked what I was going to do after SAC. My husband asked this question and I had no trouble answering: To have time to plan, shop and prepare nourishing meals, sleep in, walk everyday, put the house in order, bond with my sun porch studio, reconnect with old friends I've ignored for the past five years, and smell the roses. His reply was, "So, what are your plans for February?" Funny guy, but he does know me!

Here it is, a mere 18 days of being a 'free' woman and I am enjoying all the above, but why did I spend 20-hours on updating my web site? That wasn't on my list. Also got the idea of making a painting studio/classroom space usable for teaching art classes from home. The amount of work involved to achieve this is daunting! Clearly, and I know this because the epiphany came at 3am, I am *still* a professional artist/instructor regardless of the closing of Studio Arts. All I need to do now is find a way to not be a slave to the professional side of my personality!

These photos chronicle the progress to reclaim space in the basement for a painting studio/classroom. I'm thankful to have two willing sons and a husband to do the heavy labor. They tell me the place will be ready by mid-February to early March.

The two paper rolls are from "Pay as You Exit" calligraphic performance by Denis Brown. I can't throw them away!

This is the third time Bill has moved and rehung these cabinets. He's hoping this is the last.

BUT! I want it done by yesterday. I think I should add "cultivate patience" to my list of things to do now that I'm "free".

The All-Critter Channel

2010-11-30T04:54:00.000-08:00

One of the most surprising things about living in urban South Bend is the variety of wildlife we find visiting our yard. We live on a double lot so we have plenty of yard space that seems to serve as a thorough fare for critters. We have enjoyed the antics of baby raccoons as seen in this photo. She was the runt of a litter of five so she was always last in claiming face time with food. She's trying to get the last smears of peanut butter her siblings left behind. She's not stuck; just enjoying what little peanut butter she can!

Half-tail came to us in winter 2005. She lost part of her tail somewhere, but seemed to heal without problems. She has held the record of being the squirrel with the most personality. She regularly found her way into the house via a crack in the front doorway to feed from the bucket of peanuts we kept in the kitchen. We mourned when she no longer came to visit. Her fate remains a mystery.

This little guy also decided it would be quicker to come into the house to feed rather than waiting for someone to throw peanuts out to the deck!

One day I looked out into the yard and spotted this groundhog. We never had one before so this was quite thrilling. He was quite tame going about his business without a care towards the squirrels who showed much curiosity towards this visitor to their yard! He stuck around for a week.

The animals have added a dimension to our lives. We do not pet them nor do we feed them everyday. They need to retain their wits about them for not all humans see them as neighbors. Sitting on the deck watching the All Critter Channel is a wonderful past time we enjoy more than once a day.

Time for transition

2010-11-29T15:32:00.000-08:00

It has been nearly five years since I've devoted time to anything other than the needs of Studio Arts . It was a personal choice to put all creative efforts towards the business purchased in September 2005. Now that this business of art education for kids & adults and art rentals & sales representing local artists is established and running on its own steam, I feel comfortable leaving the day-to-day operation to the very capable hands of Adham Halsaver and Laurie Balla.

Time to reconnect with that part of me that has been dormant for so long.
The years have seen some private commission work. "In the Beginning" was a dream job for dream clients. They gave me the words and carte blanche to do what I do. And allowed me all the time I needed to do it. Which was over a period of a year! But that was too long. I sorely miss the time spent in the studio working on a myriad of projects.

Time to reconnect with the many friends and acquaintances I've 'ignored' over the years...if they'll have me back that is! Operating a business is challenging even in the best of economic times, so the need to immerse my whole body, mind, and spirit to making Studio Arts successful was a necessary investment. It has paid off, but at great personal expense. While I've learned much through the experience of mistakes, I have no regrets. Just the desire to find the passion to explore creative endeavors, make new works, teach and encourage.

Let the transition begin!