“I’ve got all this creative energy, now where do I put it?!”
Exploration of your artistic potential needs space…not just physical, but mental, emotional and on the clock. Let’s look at some possibilities for carving physical space out of your home and its grounds; space that is ‘sacrosanct’ for the pursuit of your creative urgings; space that is to be used for NOTHING ELSE.
Creative Space Idea Seed #4: A small studio structure apart from the house
This, of course, is ideal … away from the distractions of demanding dust bunnies, the phone, the perpetually hungry pets. Do your best to figure out exactly how many square feet you’ll need to do all the various projects you dream of, including where to keep all the supplies as well as finished products. Here are some links to sites that sell plans and structures:
- http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/houses/
- http://www.tinygreencabins.com/ (I’ve seen one of these mounted on a trailer for easy moving!)
- http://www.pacificdomes.com/ or http://www.yurts.com/
Another possibility is that monstrous mobile home that your neighbor can no longer afford to drive anywhere or maintain. He may even pay you to drive it out of his driveway and onto your lot. Your creativity can start flowing right away with this solution as you tear out unwanted fixtures and customize the interior to suit your inner artist.
Siting:
Part of an artistic person’s creative ‘time’ is often spent in quietude, keeping open the channels through which the Muse can pour inspiration. Try to locate your studio in a visually pleasing spot. Even if you’re just gazing out the window at tree branches, isn’t that better than the splintered corner of your neighbor’s wood shed? How many poems, musical compositions, oil paintings, or even dance moves have been inspired by the fluttering of a leaf in a breeze?
Be sure that one window or skylight allows light from the North into your space. It’s important for color selections on your art, among other things.
Be aware too, of noise considerations…ie: barking dogs, generators, equipment in a wood-worker’s shop, small children and birthday parties.…you get the picture.
The interior:
Things to keep in mind:
** Think: “storage, storage, storage”! and depending upon the type of artistic pursuit you are dreaming of, many art supplies do not fold, spindle or mutilate happily to fit in standard shelving, so design and build accordingly. There are many places where you can purchase shelving and storage boxes. Those which you assemble and paint yourself will allow you to customize to suit your taste, from whimsical to serious. If you have a store nearby that sells recycled house parts, this is a great place to find all sorts of things for stashing supplies.
One unit that I built early on was a huge recycled drawer, onto which I put small wheels and a lid, so that it slides in and out quickly from beneath a bed. It is big enough to hold large sheets and tablets of art papers. I even took several kitchen cupboards, screwed them together in a unit, put on a countertop and rolling casters on the bottom, and voila! I had a work surface with lots of shelf space.
Consider boat size storage hammocks for on the walls or in closets.
I could go on for another 2 pages about clever ways to create storage space. But since you are a creative person, I feel confident that you will come up with some brilliant ideas.
** Keep space for visitors to a minimum and the chairs slightly uncomfortable. Folks love to drop by and chat about your latest project, soak up the creative atmosphere, and daydream out loud about all the projects they wish they had time for; all of which eats up precious time for you to be doing your art.
(Stingy tip: keep only a one-cup, melitta coffee filter and one mug in your space, especially if you are in a time crunch and want to stay focused.)
** Check on your county/state permit requirements. Some places don’t require a permit if the structure footprint is under 400 sq.ft.
** If you’re using a trailer or RV, do you have easy access to water and electricity?
** Everything has a home. All the paints, fabrics, beads, clay and other supplies are welcome to come out to play, but they go back to their assigned place when clean-up time comes.
** Clean-up time is whenever—or never. Art is messy and it isn’t always finished at the end of the day. This is reality!
** Store your art supplies on open shelving as a focal point in your studio, often opposite the entry. Your various tools and materials are there to inspire you, right? So to be able to see them when you first walk into the room immediately provides an instant dose of energy toward your creative intentions.
You create stuff in this studio. You dream, you plot, you plan, you experiment—none of these are situations where you would wear your best white clothes. And don’t expect them to be. Creativity is a compelling, often demanding, taskmaster and has a dynamic life of its own. You are simply the channel, so give it free rein, no matter how tidy and neat you are in the rest of your world.
Of course we can’t all afford the time and effort and money involved with a separate building. Check out my blog archives for ideas that look at other, less costly possibilities for your space needs.
Our ‘creative juice’ flows as naturally as breathing air. It heals our bodies, minds and spirits. Make engaging with it one of your top priorities!
Yours in new beginnings,
Terrea Bennett
“The artist needs but a roof, a crust of bread, and an easel, and all the rest the Divine Source gives him or her in abundance.” ~(paraphrased) Albert Pinkham Ryder
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