My space to create

I’ve been busy putting together a space to create visual art.

I already have a writing space. In a room off our den, I have my desk, computer, scanner and printer set up, and that’s where I write and process photos. It’s where I’ll do my editing work.

I’m not a visual artist, so why do I need a space to create such art?

A wonderful thing happened over the last several months, even longer. I read a lot of blogs. A lot of you create art and crafts and do so beautifully. I love seeing what you have created, and I admire and appreciate you sharing your work.

It has inspired me. And deep inside, that part of me that has always wanted to create with paint and paper and other art supplies woke up after a long nap.

I’ve never had any confidence in my artistic ability. I’ve taken only one art class in my life. I figured I had no gift for it, so why bother?

I’ve done some work with collages, but it was hit and miss. I had fun, but again, lack of confidence made me think I was wasting my time.

I’ve thought about my relationship with words. I love words. I love putting them together, working with them on paper or on the screen, making them fit together to mean something.

I rarely sit down and write something exactly the way I want it to sound. I nearly always have to work over it.

I’ve practiced writing for most of my life. With practice, it has gotten better.

And I love the process. I don’t worry if I can’t get the words down just right immediately. I trust in the process. I trust that the right words, the right order, will come.

I’ve learned that the creating process itself is just as important, sometimes more important, than the finished product.

So why not apply that same attitude toward visual art?

I decided I wanted to try. I had been browsing through a book I have about collages, and I wanted to go deeper.

I also decided that I needed a designated space for it.

Larry has a workshop in a building behind our house. He has all his tools and his workbench out there. He creates things with wood. He loves being in his workshop.

I already had sort of a space in the basement, but it had gradually gathered other stuff on top and around it.

So I rearranged, dusted, swept and cleaned. It was hard for me to get started. My OCD didn’t want to face the task of cleaning. I was afraid I would turn it into a compulsive ritual. But I did just fine.

And I made myself a studio. Here are the results.

These two drawer units hold my sewing, cross stitch, crochet and jewelry making supplies.

On the left is a sewing box/basket that I received when I was a little girl. On the right is a needlework bag that my mother made when I was a little girl.

On the left is my basket of embroidery thread. On the right is a bag that I usually use for cross stitch projects.

Over the years, I’ve collected leftover thread from various projects in this basket. I love seeing all the colors available.

The round table is my main work area. I’ve had this table for about 25 years. I bought it from a friend in Bowling Green, Ohio, as she was preparing to move. I think I paid about $10 for it. It has withstood many moves. The surface withstands just about everything I do to it.

On top of the work table, I have a vase that I filled with beads. I love the different colors in the clear container. Next to it is a measuring tape that a friend gave me. It has a cat on the front. When you pull the tail, you find that it’s the end of the tape measure.

In this photo, you can see my sewing machine covered up. Next to it are two drawer units on wheels where I keep my art supplies—paint, clay, colored pens, colored pencils, stickers, and paper—lots of paper. On the far right is a bookcase where I keep my art and craft books, including books on crochet, needlework and making mandalas. I can roll out the unit next to it to reach the books. On top of the bookcase is a photo of Larry and some keepsakes.

This is a container that holds my adhesives, including my glue gun.

This container holds my cutting tools and my paint brushes. In the front left side, in front of the brushes, you can see a little box with a collage on top. A friend made it and gave it to me many years ago.

This vase that holds the brushes is one that my mother made in ceramics class. It’s dated February 1970.

I’m keeping my small collection of buttons in this blue and white dish that a friend gave to me years ago.

I have a camp table that I bought when I was health educator and needed something to carry with me to health fairs. It’s now a place where I can cut material or paper. The basket/tray on top is where I’m keeping my templates and fragile papers until I find a container for them. I’m also keeping my rulers and cutting board on this table.

So thus ends my tour. I’m excited about working in this space.

Next step? Organizing my writing workspace the way I want it. I’m continuing to work towards my freelance editing business. I have an appointment with our CPA this week to talk taxes.

Do you have a space where you do whatever work you’re passionate about?

I need a hobby: A Random 5

Honeysuckle on a tree, Leesville Lake, May 2013

The other day I wandered around a big box arts and crafts store, looking for a project to do. I walked out of the store after buying nothing.

I looked at so many different crafty things to do. I looked at cross stitch kits. I looked at yarn. I looked at art supplies.

I even looked in the children’s craft section to see if anything there appealed to me.

I couldn’t seem to get excited about doing anything.

I write a lot. Writing is my first love as far as activities go. I take a lot of photos. I read a lot.

But I need a hobby. I need something to do that helps me relax, challenges me, and gives me the sense of satisfaction that completing something does. I need some other ways to be creative.

Nothing seems to suit me. Maybe I’m just in a creative funk. Maybe I need to try something totally different.

My five random facts this week tell you what I’ve tried out in the past and still do sometimes.

I'm linking up with Nancy at A Rural Journal for Random 5 Friday.

One

I started piano lessons when I was 5 years old. I had been picking out tunes on our old Kurtzmann upright, and my mother wanted me to learn to play by note.

I took piano for seven years and organ for one year. When I was 13, I got tired of practicing and asked if I could stop.

I have a keyboard now, and when I play, it’s by note and by ear. I just play for my own enjoyment. And Larry and the kitties seem to like it.

Two

When I was 8 or 9 years old, my mother took crochet lessons. She taught me what she learned, and she also took me to class one evening. I started out making potholders.

When I grew older, I became capable of making baby blankets. And I’ve made some smaller pieces that my kitties have used to lie on.

Three

I took sewing lessons when I was about 14 years old. I made a skirt. That’s the last thing I’ve created except for some pillows.

I have a nice sewing machine that Larry gave me several years ago. But I can’t seem to get the hang of sewing. I can’t figure out the steps to take and how things go together.

Four

When I was in my early 30s, I took a drawing class, the only art class I’ve ever taken. I had to concentrate and work really hard. I didn’t draw well, but I did get better.

The only drawing I’ve done since are mandalas, which I like to draw and color.

Five

I started cross stitch when I was laid up after bunion surgery about 15 years ago. I obviously didn’t read the directions closely enough on my first project because I did the outlining first. My sister-in-law gently pointed that out to me when she saw my first efforts.

I enjoy playing with the colorful floss and creating pictures. I also enjoy the quiet rhythm of pulling the thread in and out of the cloth.

What are your hobbies? How did you discover that you liked doing those things? Do you have any ideas for me? Suggestions are welcome!