Our Studio

The space we call The Studio used to be a garage. We turned it in to a space for teaching art classes, and it functioned that way for many years. Now it's having a second metamorphosis - I'm not teaching anymore, and we need:

• more effective (longer term) storage
• clearer floor space for kid play
• fewer art tools and supplies
• less counter space (which just gets filled with clutter)
• less clutter!

Agenda:

1. The vision

2. The work

3. Love Meditation

1. The vision:

I picture these beautiful red metal racks, wall-to-wall, with clean yellow paint behind, stacked with (mostly) the same size bins, filled with colorful items that are easy to see and access.

I picture that most of the time we will push the table over to the shelf side, leaving lots of floor space with our big kid-rug, and a small table for kid art. We will be able to access the window shelves again, which will be more kid friendly with toys and tools.

I will still have my painting-center, but I can't quite define it yet. If I keep my easel, it needs repair. What will I do with all my old canvases? When I want to do bigger projects I can switch out the tables, but will I also have a small work table for me or will my cart need to function? What kind painting will I do there? - signs, posters, gifts, and maybe finishing some of my old acrylics.

2. The work:

I'm in phase 1 still - sorting and clearing out the old storage cabinets and shelves. Part of this phase is finding homes for the excess stuff - 2 or more boxes for MECCA, boxes for Goodwill, and a box of books to sell.

 

Tomorrow I begin phase 2: Ripping shelves off the wall and moving cabinets out the door. Part of this phase is calling to see if the ReStore wants to pick them up.

Then phase 3: Cleaning, repairing, and painting the walls and floors so I can set up the new metal shelves.

3. Love Meditation:

Every month after the full moon, in the quiet-energy yin time of the waning moon, I practice a love meditation that progresses from receptivity, to gratitude, to generosity:

Day 2: Practice a love meditation, and end by feeling and expressing gratitude - send a prayer to the universe of thanksgiving for all I have in my life. 

When I remember to feel grateful for my blessings, my days take on a different tone: I have more vigor, optimism, compassion, and peace. By noticing how I am blessed, my impatience decreases and I realize how satisfied and fulfilled I really am.