studio

If you are a mixed media artist like me, then you probably see potential in everything and have a collection of mark making tools.

Sometimes this pile of potential gets in the way of creating.

Every so often I go through and get rid of the tools that I no longer use. This frees up space in my studio and my mind to create with a bit more clarity.

So I challenge you to go through your supplies or tools and get rid of the things that you don’t use. It will give you a new freedom and lightness. That may show up in your work.

Still need the free easy to make gelatin and glycerin recipe? Get it here.

 

I am almost afraid to admit that, I just came to the understanding that cleaning up my tools and workspace is part of the process of making.

I resist cleaning and some what resent the time that it takes to puts tools away and organize them. But this attitude is not helping me.

So I am trying to embrace the idea that “cleaning” time is just a valuable as the making time. Maybe I can even make it fun. 🙂 Maybe this new attitude will enhance both the making and the cleaning  parts of the process.

I have been looking for inexpensive storage ideas. I found that disposable cake pans/covers work nicely for prints in progress. They are stackable, which means they take up less space.

I got a few see through boxes for longer term storage.

I wonder do you have parts of your making process that you enjoy and others that you resist??

How can we enjoy more of the process of making?

Enjoy –

• Idea gathering
• Experimental mark making
• Creating a finished piece
• Tool gathering
• Space organizing
• Cleaning and starting again

Happy printing!

PS – Join us in 2020 for the Mixed Media Retreat! – Get the details on the workshop page.

Maybe it is the change of seasons, but I have had the urge to simplify my studio space. I have collected:

• paints
• pencils, pens
• markers
• cutting tools
• mark making tools
• stencils
• brushes, sponges
• books, papers
• brayers and inks

I want to:

• go through my stuff
• keep what I love and use
• let go of the rest, that includes the “should” keep and “might use someday”

Now it has taken years to collect all this stuff, so I am going to be patient and give myself plenty of time to sort through it and let go of what I no longer want.

As a mixed media artist, I go through phases and try out different techniques and tools. Some processes I like and keep and others while it was fun to try, I know it will not be part of my daily process.

I couple of ways I approach the process:

1. Sit in my  studio and look around. Notice what inspired me and what drags me down.
2. Clean my main worktable. That gets me feeling good quickly
3. Sort and purge stuff that is stored under tables. This is the stuff that I have not used in a while, so it must not be that important to me. This also creates “new” space to store stuff that I do use.
4. Sort a little each day
5. Take breaks and acknowledge the process that I have made
6. Take pictures to document the process
7. Even 5 or 10 minutes of sorting will create improvement

I hope you find some of these ideas helpful. Enjoy your studio!!!

Get support from an online class. Check out the current offerings on the printmaking workshop page.