Monday, October 13, 2008

My inside studio

I began setting up this inside the house studio sometime this summer I think. Finally, most of my stuff is in here. It entailed removing many of my Dad's things so I could use the shelves. Also Mom's genealogy materials. Then, carrying in my art supplies and so forth. I bought a new fold up table (center). The blue jelly cabinet is old, it was my gram's. The TV is to watch DVD's on. There was no open spot to leave my yoga blankets out and ready to use, so I have to drag them under the table when I'm done practicing.

Behind this second fold up table is my Mom's computer table and two of her filing cabinets. They take up a lot of space that I'd like to use but there is no other place to put them.

The wall unit held Dad's books and records and now holds my books and craft supplies. My computer is also in here. I keep changing its position as it always seems to be in my way.

The painting area. Mom's carpet is covered with another carpet I purchased which is okay to spill paint onto. Just hope Mom doesnt trip on the easel legs.

Three other items that I'd like gone but there is no other place to put them. Two chairs and the dictionary stand. Still, it is warm in here and the sun shines in through the windows. A delightful room heated by a gas fired stove. Now let's hope I can get myself going!

29 comments:

~Babs said...

Looks like you've gotten all settled in,,,with ample room to work. We NEVER have enough space it seems,,,,but I could make better use of mine, I'm sure.
Those bookcases are wonderul,,,I have one about half that size in my studio room,,,,and it's packed with supplies. I do have large bookcases in the living room, so that's where all my books are. I know one thing for sure: If I had a space the size of a warehouse, it would still be packed! (and disorganized) LOL

Teri said...

What a beautiful room full of beautiful things! I am jealous but happy for you.

Tess Kincaid said...

Hello! Thanks so much for your comments over at my place!

I love Millay and delved heavily into her poetry after reading the Nancy Milford biography a few years ago. Also adore Janet Frame. Someday I would love to visit Millay's home and grave. I am totally envious!

Yes, we have so much in common. I'm adding you to my blog roll and will be back to visit again soon!

Blue Sky Dreaming said...

Suki, Good light from your windows. I think you have everything in good places and I love your book case. It must be nice to have your studio space set up and ready to go...it will serve you well throughout the winter! There is never enough space but I think you have it managed.
Mary Ann

Andrea and Kim said...

Suki, this is a nice space. You have lots of nice room for books and supplies and a great space to work, too. I try to keep my computer out of my studio since it is so small (the studio and the computer). I know this winter you are going to be so happy and warm hanging out in there. If I were you, I would take that nice little laptop and settle myself in that recliner and enjoy the computer time. Well, that is my way :)

Perfect, Suki!

Katiejane said...

Your banner shot is stunning! Is that your house?

Looks like you are settling in pretty well. (I don't know about you, but the dictionary stand and dictionary would be invaluable to me. I can't type anything with more than four letters any more without having to look up the spelling! Senior moments!)

Your room looks cozy but workable. You've packed a lot of stuff into this little space. In the rental house we had temporially I set up my glass studio in a room that measured 9' x 10'. It was tight, but I knew where everything was.

Anonymous said...

This is a cozy space - and filled with art. No studio, I suspect, ever feels as if there is enough space. Happy creating!

San said...

Suki, thank you for this tour of your personal working space. I love the tall bookshelves with their warm wood. And the jelly cupboard and the quilt. It looks like home.

A working space is a home for the soul. Joyful creations!

Mim said...

Your new banner is wonderful - I also wondered if that was the dragonfly pond.
Great space. The most important thing is that you have good space to work in, and sunlight and warmth. Sounds like a cozy place to paint and read

Cris, Artist in Oregon said...

Oh how nice. it looks really homey and artsy with all your paintings equiptment in there. and table for drawing. I see the onions. and lots of light. you will be able to create all winter in warmth.
sorry I am late today. I have been so busy. we are having an Indian summer they said tonight on the news. and we have one week before it changes so we decided to winterize things today. so been busy.
Love the room your mother so nicely let you have.

raining sheep said...

That looks like a very cozy and comforting room...glad I discovered your blog.

Lynn Cohen said...

Suki, I am happy for you. Able to move in from the garage/barn where you were before to a warmer spot indoors. You will shine here. It looks to me like you are making very good use of all the space. The big easy chair with quilt will be nice to curl up in with a good book or sit in to sketch at times too I bet. Enjoy!

Jude said...

Oh, yes, do enjoy! It's lovely, you have everything around you. The dictionary stand is wonderful.
I yearn for a room like that, someday soon, hopefully.
Take care

sukipoet said...

Hi Babs. I guess you are right. Even a warehouse might be too small. If the space is there, I'd fill it with stuff. Dad and Mom had these bookcases built for the room. They had some like this in their house in connecticut too and I've always liked them.

Teri, thanks. There are some lovely things here, a mix now of my things and my parents.

Willow, I read Millay's poetry avidly when in high school so that in part was why I was thrilled to be accepted at the Millay Colony for the Arts. The grave site is very humble, with the stone set into the earth, flat. I read that bio too, was that the most recent one? Her sister was still alive and living on the property the first time I went to Millay.

sukipoet said...

Blue Sky, yes I think I am pretty well satisfied with the arrangement. Last night I moved my computer table and found a better space for my yoga blankets. A space where they can be out and ready to use. I am prepared this winter, for sure.

Kim, brilliant idea. I'm serious. I have NEVER used my laptop in my lap. Nor really ever used it's portability to work in different spots in the house. My homeopathist says not to have a computer in the bedroom, re: waves at night. But I can try that sitting in the chair which might be more comfortable too.

sukipoet said...

Hi Katie Jane. Well, I wish that was my house. No, just a house in Harrisville. I have to look words up a lot too, but tend to do it on the computer nowadays, though I have always loved the dictionary stand. I think the room will work out well this winter.

thanks difference a year makes. You are right I am sure. As Babs said even a warehouse would probably end up being packed with art supplies and other stuff and not big enough.

San, I have always loved that jelly cupboard which Gram had in her basement for years. Dad then used it in his workshop here in NH and i took it over when i moved up here. The old quilt was out in the garage and has a big hole in it. But I love it too. Love your words San about a working space. May I place the quote in my sidebar of notable quotes??

sukipoet said...

Thanks Mim. No, not the dragonfly pond, though I have shown that little pond at other times. That was a Harrisville house and pond.

Cris, yes Mom was so kind and I feel a little guilty as the gas fired "wood" stove is in here and so cosy and now no place for mom to sit and watch it. Well, she rarely sits, she lies on the couch. Otherwise she could sit in one of the chairs of course.

welcome raining sheep. Will come and check out yr blog ASAP

Lynn it is true that the quilt chair is the most comfortable chair in the house. Plus, its the chair Dad sat in almost continually in the last yrs of his life so it has that numinous comfort to it. It is the other chair I guess that I'd like to banish along with the file cabinets.

thanks Jude. I'll keep everyone posted as to whether I actually get any work done in here. Fingers crossed. And thanks for all the good wishes.

Rowena said...

Studio/office space is so important for creatives, I think. Not so much the "room of one's own," as a place you will actually work. I'm sure your space will evolve as your needs become clearer and your life settles into what it is.

I've had plenty of rooms of my own that I just don't work in.

Sometimes a kitchen table or a sofa and a bag of supplies is just as good.

I am, though, working on a place where I can write... nanowrimo is coming up, and if I'm going to write a novel in November, I need to focus.

Mary Richmond said...

looks like a cozy space....studio space always seems to be evolving....i have three studios plus a writing area--sounds great but it's actually sort of annoying. all are small, the light stinks in two of them because they're in the basement and the war against clutter is ongoing! i have a drawing/painting studio that is 8x10, a glazing studio that is about 5 x 8 and a tile making studio which has big equipment and is about 8 x 12....

Anonymous said...

It looks like a large, warm space to do your work. I am in the process of switching my bedroom which is larger into my studio. it is a long process :-).

Unknown said...

Everything looks nice to me here, cosy, lots of things but cosy! I like the colour of the wood of the wall unit, and I love the big chair, it calls for sitting in it with the cat on the lap, reading:) And I like the thing where the thick book is lying on!
love
Andrea

Unknown said...

PS: lots of space:) ajnd I see the bright colour of the autumnally dressed trees outside, wow

soulbrush said...

what a grand room, what a good 'vibe'....and what is that thick book? it's grand too....is mom still just outside the door?

sukipoet said...

rowena, good luck setting up your writing space. I dont know about you, but I need apartness and quiet for writing. Painting can stand interruptions. You are right abt sometimes setting up a space and then not working in it. I hope that doesnt happen to me. I must break through my fear of messing it up I think as so far I havent done much painting in here.

Mary, it must be hard to work in small spaces after that lovely large space in Mashpee. although I did well in a small space for writing. For artwork I like to spread out and pace etc. Hope all these spaces work out well for you.

Annie good luck switching the two rooms. It will be worth it in the end I think.

sukipoet said...

Andrea, the thing with big book is a dictionary table with dictionary on top and two shelves for larger books to lie flat. The windows are nice though rather high up. You cant see the field unless you stand. Odd that. but I am so happy to have windows.

soulbrush see response above re: book. Dictionary. Yes, Mom is just around the corner although she cant see me.

marianne said...

Well the circumstances are better then last winter, so here you have a cosy warm place surrounded by your own things. Love the blue cabinet!
Still I can imagine you want to remove some stuff, but this is a compromise I guess.
Hope you will be inspired soon!
I have just finished a mandala which I will bring to my friend this afternoon. She has her birthday tomorrow but I have to go to work early (have to be standby for 5 days, I have to be able to be at Schiphol within one hour so I will be in Rotterdam for 5 days)
I will have to pack and maybe I will take some of the mini supplies I have bought. Easy to take along.
Love your bookcase wall Suki! This certainly has your mark on it!
Wishing you a creative fall!
love >M<

sukipoet said...

You are right Marianne. this lovely room is so much better than my dark, damp cellarhole of last year. I hope your trip is/was a good one. You are so generous with your talents.

Kelly said...

Thank you. I get such a thrill from seeing inside others' homes. I always have and I don't know why.

sukipoet said...

Kelly Ilove to see inside people's homes too. I love looking at books that show various homes either of the famous or non famous. I dont know why either.