Stumble It!
Artist Workspace - Vignettes of my space
Saturday, January 24, 2009 at 01:15PM 
After seeing the publication Where Women Create, I started to look at my own space differently. First of all, growing up I never had a room (nor did anyone I know) that served solely as a space to create/work/build-in. In the US I grew up in apartments and there was never even a nook for tools or workspaces of any kind. In Puerto Rico my family had homes, but most of the tools were for construction and often out about the grounds, scattered wherever they were needed. It was my artist cousin (Adalberto) in Puerto Rico that loved to paint like me, but also work with wood and he started to develop a large passageway in his parent's home dedicated to where he placed a band-saw, table-saw and other tools. Of course by then I had seen basement and garage workshops a plenty in friends homes - still I never conceived of my own studio. I simply worked in my room, in a kitchen, on the floor or wherever I found some 'spreadability' space.
supply shelves in my studio
It was in college, my junior year that all Visual Art department students received their own studios, with movable walls and no door. Of course some complained about who did or did not have the most space, but I couldn't have been more thrilled. Just to have a space in which I could hang research, inspiration, and leave projects in half completion was a delight.
The corkboard that hangs over my drawing table
In grad school, at the beginning of the Master's program studio's were given on a first come first serve basis (I had arrived early enough) and yes we had doors! Now as a read and look at so many inspiring artist rooms, I realize looking at others studio's is just as inspiring as having a room of your own. I wish I would have taken more pictures of those early studios. I will try to scan the images I do have and post them for you to see...they were so much more serious spaces than the light-heartedness you see in these current ones.
A little country pig that hangs from my drawing table lamp
Before I was married I lived in a one room studio apartment in Manhattan and even there I was sure to have a 'studio corner'. Thankfully I married a fellow artist and in all of our living spaces (two) we have been sure to get one room (above the number of bedrooms that we actually need for a studio space. So today I thought I would share glimpses/vignettes/niches of my little studio 0(since my husbands studio tends to be the outdoors). Though its not anywhere as awe-inspiring or 'high' end as the remarkable spaces featured in Where Women Create, I still hope my colorful tidbits give you a little inspiration.
A corner of my drawing table with 'house' rings waiting to be completed
Two rabbits and a little wooden pig hand-carved by grandpa GeorgeI find it interesting as I look at these how mentally I am always attracted to clean minimal, organized spaces but for the life of me I CAN'T seem to create that in my own space- instead my studio is cluttered with visual noise - all be it 'pleasing' and 'purposeful' visual noise but 'clutter' all the same. It may be a result of never having had the ability to saturate a space so much in the past or it may simply be a reflection of me?
My 'Innocence Lost' drawing on the wall above my printer
Every artist studio needs a rainbow.
My Pullips and Blythes...I'm into the Sixties and their Twiggy big-eyed girls
My very special friend, my embroidery machine.
My 'for everything-else' sewing machine - My old Sue singer died.I hope you enjoyed these little snippets I'll be sure to do more as I get more courageous!
Reader Comments (4)
I find this very interesting. First of all , I love having my own space to work in too. Isn't it a great feeling to have that kind of space. I know the feeling of clutter...lol...although I tend to call it "creative clutter". The clutter I find is a part of our personality, creative process and flow. It's nice that you can be so open, and are able to share images of your space. I also find that more often than not letting people into your world is hard.
Again it's nice that you are able to share. You have inspired me to share.
Thanks:>) Love Yolanda ...A&D '87
I took note of your area on your recent addition to the flicker photos and was so excited to see your space. Before I continue let me say that I am soooo incredibly proud to know you and to call you friend. You have opened yourself to share with all to have a sense of not just who you are but how they see themselves through all of what you display through your visual elements and words. It has been and continues to be a miraculous rediscovery for myself as my creative self has been dormant for about six years if not longer. So thank you for your selflessness as I am sure you have come across artists who rather keep things to themselves as opposed to having such an amazingly postive impact.
I have yet to truly have a space to have my creative juices flow but am very eager to make one of the rooms I have designated as THE creative space. While presently being unemployed I am not only resurrecting my inner self but re-opening my third eye and am taking advantage of my liberty of time and havng my apartment renovated. So again I am grateful to your being altruistic. I hope to find the referenced read to become inspired.
Thank you for being encouraging and for motivating me through your work, your space, your blog and your words.
Besitos <3
ps...want to show Yolie and my fellow A&Der's love ;-D
What an interesting post--you caused me to realize that I'm also most attracted to simple minimalist spaces and yet I never create spaces like that to work in--my art room is full of bits and pieces...
Was 'Innocence Lost' by you? It's beautiful! & the hair resembles the shape that my/others' hair took in the scanner pictures
And I spy with my little eye a Hello Kitty item!
If you're into Hello Kitty, this might interest you:]
http://www.nitrolicious.com/blog/2008/11/21/mac-cosmetics-x-hello-kitty-collection/