In My Studio

(The first in what I hope to be a monthly post. Scroll down to the bottom to find out how you can play along.)

I am very lucky to have the spare room as my studio. It is known to the Fella and me as the Playroom, because it is where I have the computer and my art stuff. It is such a luxury to be able to come into my own domain, to sit at the table and continue on a project. I can spread my things around me and if I can’t find them I only have myself to blame!

However, as it is the spare room it doubles as the guest room. There is a divan that folds out into the bed. Because it takes up the whole floor space I have to pack everything away when a guest comes. I look on it as a chance to tidy away and clean up!

My very messy work table.

You can see from the photo that I work with a lot of stuff within reach. I have a habit of using something and then putting it down close beside where I am working. It means that my working area gets smaller and smaller as more things encroach on it! Each week I try to clean up to give myself a larger space to slowly fill up again.

I have to show you this very cute rubber that my sister gave me. You can see where she got it from!

So, what’s happening in my Playroom this month?

I have been working on an order of ink feathers to send off to the States. It is exciting and I will tell you more about it in another post soon. Here is a sneak preview of one of the feathers.

Ink feather. (Image copyright: Anne Lawson 2015)

Also I have been playing some more with watercolour washes. These are some of the paintings, which I have pinned up onto the wall. They are close to being finished but I need time and space to evaluate areas that might need more work.

Melaleucas ~ works in progress

Melaleuca painting

I’ve always been reluctant to pin things to walls. I hear my Dad’s voice in my ear telling me not to ruin the paint work and pull off the plaster. That is until I found this great hanging system.

It is the 3M Commander series and I am only mentioning the brand name because they actually work. I found out about them last year when we had our group exhibition in Menindee. The curator suggested that we use them. They are adhesive, but pull cleanly off the wall. Dad would be very happy because they don’t take off the plaster or the paint.

You can see the tab peeking out from the paper.

There are two sorts.

I am using one for posters ~ that’s the one with the cat. Each tab has adhesive on both sides and you press one to the wall and the other to the paper. For the exhibition we used the other sort on our framed paintings. You squash two of the tabs with the velcro stuff together and then put them on the frame and the wall. They are surprisingly strong.

When you want to remove them you pull the tab straight down along the wall. It stretches out and then pulls away.

So that’s a little peek into my studio.

Would you like to let us have a peek into your creative space? Just write a post about it (or put it on Facebook, Twitter etc) and link to that post in the comments below. Hopefully we will visit spaces from all parts of the world!

Remember though, it doesn’t have to be a grand studio nor a polished piece of work. It might be your favourite pen or the outline of your story on your computer. What helps you become creative?

In My Studio….

Don’t you love having a peek into the creative spaces of others? It’s like having a glimpse into their creative process.

This morning I went on a studio crawl and visited three studios that were open as part of the Alphington Open Studio weekend ~ Anne Warren, Beatrice Magalotti and Sharon Madder. Three very different artists but each welcoming and interesting. [There were other studios to visit, but my time was limited. Follow this link for the full list and artist profiles.]

For many months I have been planning In My Studio as a monthly feature on this blog.This morning was the impetus to set it up. It is based on two ideas.

Firstly, I know I am not the only one who loves to look into the creative spaces of others ~ you do too, I’m sure.

Secondly, I also know that creative types are very generous with their knowledge, and suspect that most of us love to share what we have been up to.

So….I am inviting you to let us have a peek into your creative space. You will notice that I am not saying “studio” except in the title. I like the sound of it there! Creative space is much wider ~ I’m thinking studio, kitchen table, sketchbook, computer, note book, anywhere you create. And I am not limiting it to painters. Writers and quilters, printers and poets, everyone is welcome.

And it doesn’t have to be a final, well rounded piece. It can be, but it might also be a look at what you are working on, a tip, a technique, a new piece of equipment. It might be a photo of your work space or your inspiration board. Or even an inspirational quote!

How will it work? Many of you join in with Celia’s In My Kitchen feature and you will know that I have taken that idea and given it my own slant. Each month I will put up an In My Studio post. I would encourage you to post one on your blog and then link to it in the comments of my my blog. Clear? As mud! Maybe this will help:

1. Each month you write about something happening in your creative space.
2. Come to my blog and find my In My Studio post.
3. Leave a link to your post in my comments section. Then others can follow the link to have a peek into your space. [Sorry, I am not as clever as Celia, and it may take me some time to get the blog roll down the side.]
4. You don’t have a blog? Put something on Facebook or Twitter or wherever and give us a link to that.

I am going to post my first In My Studio on Wednesday of this week then you will be able to tell us what is happening in your creative life.