stairway leading to the studio
This week, the stars and planets aligned: work hours, energy levels, inspiration, determination, materials at hand and a willingness to use them, and the cooperation of two often needy dogs all fell into place! On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, I spent much of my time in the studio.
I hooked the curtains open, so that the heat could get upstairs, and left them that way. So,when a few minutes – or a few hours – presented itself, I could follow the steps up to the studio. I have plenty of cleaning and organizing to do up there, and spent some time on that. I decided that if I were to wait until that was all done before allowing myself to make art, I would never get to it. So, I balanced my time between several different things. My mother used to call it “running around like a chicken with her head cut off.” It is often my favorite way to work!
I cleared the press of all of the work I had piled on it, as I’d been using it as a work surface. I cleared the drafting table of the mounds of collage papers and scraps that were preventing me from using it as it was intended. I cleaned out one deep desk drawer of everything that had accumulated there in the last ten years. In between times, I worked on art.
I pulled out a stack of small collages that needed to be tweaked. Finished, I dampened each one and stacked them between sheets of waxed paper, then weighted them down with a pile of short shelves, so that they would dry flat. I matted a few others, and measured them for frames. I started six new collages based on a dream (that left me with the suggestion that I should use the color red as a neutral). I set up the mat cutter and cut backer board down to size for collagraph plates. And I started six new plates!
It was a good, productive time, and has made me feel anxious to get back into the studio!
This large collage needs some finishing touches, but it’s getting there.
New collagraph plates, in progress.
cindyricksgers 
Yay for studio time! Beautiful work, and I really love the photo of the photo of your stairway leading to the studio. I have a penchant for curtains used in that fashion – room dividers, closets, and stairways. The heavier the fabric, the better.
Keep that groove for studio work going! You sure made a lot of progress in a short time.
Oh, Sara, THANK YOU! It is SO exciting to have new things underway, and new ideas in my head, and lots of impetus to keep going. It’s also nice to be putting finishing touches on things that ave been hanging around for years, waiting for me to find the time. It feels good!
wow wow wow! first, i loved that view of the stairs, with the different colors – all inviting a smile to anyone who admires the steps! you’ve been busy – yay!!!!
Thanks so much, Lisa! The paint job on the stairs is old…at least 12 years old…and needs to be freshened up. I still like the colors, though. Yes, my work hours have been drastically cut, leaving me with a stack of bill that I am unable to pay…but I love having time for the studio! I fantasize about what it would be like if this were always my schedule. And I’m pulling thing out and finishing things that have been just hanging around for years! It feels wonderful!