Category Archives: The View from my Studio

Creativity, Fabric Art, The View from my Studio

Studio Envy and Being Content

January 12, 2017 Espirational 4 Comments

I am blessed to have an in-home art studio. An actual room — with a double window — at the end of the hall — where all my cool art stuff lives — and I (sometimes) actually work, and … it has a door! That door can be closed when the room is a mess. What more could an artist ask for? Well a view of the lake would be nice. And I do get studio envy when I see photos of gorgeous studios that look like they were actually planned, with lots of shelves and cabinet space and a professional photo set up and a custom made work table, and of course all kinds of machines and gadgets. And studios with lots of natural light and a beautiful view? Well that is when I start to drool.

Yes, I am human. I do sometimes want more than I have. Then I think about all the strings that come attached to the stuff we accumulate in this world. Like debt, worry and clutter when we realize we really didn’t need or don’t use all the “stuff.”

So I am happy with my little studio. After all, we live at the lake and if I want to work lakeside I can. It involves packing stuff up and walking about 2 blocks to the lake, but there is a picnic table down there — and a bench — not to mention a view that many people would love to have. Then I realize that there are people who are actually jealous of my little life at the lake and I realize how blessed I am.

After all, being an artist isn’t about what your studio looks like, or even if you have one. It isn’t about having all the latest and most expensive tools, supplies and gadgets. It also isn’t about being rich and famous or people gushing about what a great job you have. The people here where I live (my neighbors) are totally unimpressed. 🙂 Being an artist is about being in touch with and expressing the creative nature of God. And that is a very cool thing. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Talk to me! What’s one very cool thing about your life you wouldn’t trade for anything? Please think about this — we all have one. Post your responses in the comments below.

The View from my Studio

Developing a More “Web Friendly” Artists Statement

March 3, 2016 Espirational 9 Comments

During the process of trying to jump start my art career after a period of inactivity I am learning that things have changed, and that is an understatement. So as I gear up to sell my work online as well as go out to my first local art show in several years I find myself scrambling to get up to speed.

One thing I decided I needed to do was update my artist statement and resume. This is never a bad thing for an artist to have, but let’s face it an old style artist statement and resume can be a bit boring. It can also be a bit difficult to write if you are an artist. It’s a “business document” and we don’t exactly think that way. I am also thinking it might not be the most “web friendly” way of getting yourself out there. I’m not saying that these documents don’t have their place. I’m sure art shows will continue to ask for these documents. They may also still be used in hard copy promotional materials. But for the internet it seems to me that we need something a bit more personal, interactive and loaded with pictures. People have always been curious about artists. They want to meet us and they want to feel like they know us. This is emphasized even more in this age of social networking and marketing.

So I’ve been playing around with finding something that would be better for a blog or website. I’m thinking portions of it could be used in online profiles and the like. It is not quite finished yet. I need a few more photos, but you will get the idea. Please take a look and feel free to let me know what you think. http://espirational.com/who-is-genie/

It you want to start a discussion on art business or artist’s statements in the comments section below, please feel free.

The View from my Studio

The View from my Studio: The Walkers

August 31, 2015 Espirational 1 Comment

Bob and I recently decided to work with Espirational as our “brand” so to speak. That means my art blog is now closed. We now have Espirational.com (this blog) and Espirational.org (Bob’s blog). I will be talking about my art under the topic header of The View from my Studio.

I don’t sit in my studio eight hours a day cranking out art. I couldn’t if I tried. My work comes and goes along with new inspiration. Sometimes inspiration leads to more that one finished work. I am intrigued by Sacred Geometry — especially circles. So I decided to play with labyrinths a little. There may eventually be more “Walkers,” who knows?

Fire Walker