In 2008, we built my studio. This was the first painting I created, even before the walls were put in. Look at the smile on my face. I was so happy to have a space of my own to create.

I started noticing a few years back my reluctance to go into the studio even though I have the best job in the world. Typically, once I’m immersed in a painting, I’m happy to be there. It was the stepping into my space that discouraged me. It was dark and crowded. And always full of saw dust from my husband, Todd’s latest batch of building wood canvases.

My biggest collector and his wife came over last spring and it was the spark that started the dream of transforming my space. Before this, I thought it was an “out of reach” dream. I felt embarrassed that day to show my work space. After almost 2 decades of painting in this space, with over 900 paintings created, a shift was needed. I decided then and there to renovate. To invest in myself. To take a chance on creating a space where my paintings can breathe. Clean white walls, more light, less clutter…and no saw dust!

Dark and cluttered yet a hub of creative energy!

All my life I’ve suffered from Dreamer’s Disease-an obsessive focus on grand unrealistic or idealistic goals without practical action. Even though we didn’t have the time or money set aside for this undertaking, I was determined to figure it out. I went over many studio scenarios in the middle of the night. You know when you wake up and try to solve the world’s problems LOL?

We landed on adding an additional building to house Todd’s canvas building workshop. And got to work on renovating my existing space. Everything was a hot mess for almost 2 months! I went to Lowe’s every day it seemed, needing more screws, caulk, wood, or paint! Every day when Todd got home for work I had a new project for him to help me with. The excitement was building. It culminated on the day the wall came down and the glass windows were installed.

The messy middle part during the renovation.

There is a quiet tension in making something new or from scratch. When you build a physical space, everything is exposed and messy before it’s transformed into something pretty. In art, we go through the exact same exposure, only the frame is internal. I pour my heart into creating. The beginning of each new piece is uncertain. Then there’s the awkward middle stages, and then the willingness to keep at it even when the outcome isn’t known. It’s tempting to show you only the before and after pics, but the real magic lives in the middle stages.

The most exciting day of the whole renovation! The wall being taken down to let the light in!

I had some fear of painting in the new space with all the newness of my organized paints and light pouring in. But it was heaven. My new studio spaces feels enchanting, open and energized. I am inspired to try new ideas and to grow.

New Studio Vibes

My Open Studio Day