BEFORE & AFTER: STUDIO

BEFORE:
February 2011
First view of 3rd floor, future studio space

    The 3rd floor of this Hawthorne house was logically the best space for our bonus rooms (studio spaces and guest room).  Personally I was eager to have my art studio under the same roof as my living space but it was going to require some creative effort to turn this rather dark space into a functional and cheerful spot.  When we purchased the house in March 2011 I knew I would be giving up 50% of the studio space I enjoyed on Warren Road.  Ouch!  I designed and had constructed the studio on Warren Road....windows on the east and west and 4 skylights for northern and southern light. How could I make this space my new home?  (See progress Here and also Here)

    It took a while to accomodate all that I moved from my original location (thank goodness for small closets in the eaves on 2 sides for storage).  The studio here on Hawthorne Avenue, while not as large, is equally functional and comfortable.

This little sink we found in the backyard and had resurfaced.

                                                                                   

An old CD cupboard ......

                                                                       

gets dismantled and....

                                                                             

...becomes 2 storage units for this....

.....and that.

 

A fabric and sewing area

Painting and reference area

A little bit of collaging taking place

One never knows when she might need popsicle sticks, corks, dominoes, dowels or seashells!

My childhood refrigerator is now a stereo center.

Miss Magnolia has already christened the studio with a painting project for her birthday back in February.

A cluttered but creative space

An old science lab table becomes a mobile work table, backed by my 'wall of screams'.

AFTER:
April 2014 -
A comfortable, user friendly, creative space on the third floor here on Hawthorne Ave.

ON THE AVENUE.....

singing in my head......HAWTHORNE AVENUE.....more humming

    Spring has gotten the best of me.  As I hum "Easter Parade" and substitute "Hawthorne" for "Fifth", the frills are on my house not my bonnet.  That is, I am getting around to hanging art.  I'm enjoying dressing up my house with my own art and works by artists both old and new (G. Brady, H. Pryor, T. Disney, M. Sesow, C. Mullen, L. Gourley, M. Dietz, N. Thomas, M. Peyton, M. Bullington, All Star Artists and more).

(M. Peyton)

(M. Sesow)

(C. Mullen)

       

'You are My Sunshine' - min

(M. Bullington)

(G. Brady)

(M. Bullington)

(M. Dietz)

(C. Mullen)

(mine)

(L. Gourley)

(H. Pryor)

(mine)

(C. Mullen)

  

(T. Disney)

(All Star Artists 2010)

(G. Brady)

  

                                                                                                   

  

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE...

HOME.

   Now that the floors have had their final coat of finish, I have begun to bring in a few things each time I head to Hawthorne to do some work.

In Billye's room a painting my mom did in 4th grade

"Hey!  These paintings are from my bedroom
on Warren Road."

And, so my daughter does not think only her things are going to Hawthorne Avenue, I bring some art work for my own bedroom and a desk for the library.

Miss Magnolia uses the computer in the library

Artwork for my bedroom

A ROOM FILLED WITH MEMORIES AND LOVE

One of my favorite features of my house on Warren Road where I live now is my studio.

     

 I designed it, had it built, 

painted it, decorated it,

 furnished it,

 and stocked it with art tools and supplies. 

 It is a place that is 100% me.

   I've sewn, soldered, and sung there.  I have decoupaged, danced and drilled there.  I have painted and printed, felted and carved, and even knitted and napped there.

   Over the past 7 years, I have enjoyed this space both alone and with numerous very special artists.

    For me, my studio is a place which causes a noticeable drop in my stress level simply by crossing its threshold.  Perhaps it is the lingering scent of fresh paint.  Maybe it is the peaceful feeling of being surrounded by calming colors and sentimental objects.   Perhaps it is the mere anticipation of allowing my creativity to flow.  Whatever my Warren Road studio has, I am attempting to transform this 3rd floor attic space on Hawthorne Avenue into my future haven of inspiration and imagination.

    Stay posted for more recent studio transformations, and, when the transformation is finished, all my favorite artists are invited to join me there to create fabulous works and to fill it with unforgettable memories!