New Times, New Studio

 When we moved to Pender Island, almost three years ago, losing my beautiful studio space and dedicated wet room (for dyeing and painting) wasn't too much of a hardship. We were going to be traveling a lot more and my philosophy was that I'd adjust my art to fit my space: small space = small work.....

And that worked for a while, we traveled, I walked two Caminos in Spain and Portugal, did an art residency in Iceland and we made lots of plans for the future....

Then the world went sideways and my art practise changed yet again! I took online classes and workshops, I went back to working large and I yearned for space to be messy and creative....

I started thinking about leaving home and I found a delightful space about 15 minutes away....so I packed up my studio and moved two weeks ago! Needless to say that I'm thrilled and I'd like to invite you in....

The studio is behind the circled window, Hope Bay is a lovely, picturesque seaside building that has a gallery, offices, a chocolate shop (yes!) another artist studio and sometimes a restaurant. 

Our neighbour Graeme helped us with his truck. I forgot to empty my thread drawers so heard the threads go ping, ping, ping onto the driveway!

I have cutting and painting space that measures 4' x 6' with lots of storage underneath.

There's a large counter that runs about 8' long. At the left end, I'm having a sink installed in a couple weeks, great for washing up and essential for my screen printing!

A few years ago when I built my studio in Victoria, I used a great book by Lois Hallock about organizing your studio space. Her premise was to think about a work triangle such as you'd have in your kitchen, only it was "sewing, cutting and pressing". That book has been very useful in planning out this studio as well. Map and measure and arrange on paper before moving it all in!

My sewing machine is right beside the window, absolutely tons of light - west facing and a nice view onto the courtyard and waterfront below.

The view from my window, the walkway goes down to the wharf, fishing boats and the daily mail boat...when times get better I hope the restaurant will open again. In the meantime the chocolate shop makes a delicious cappuccino!

My design wall is up and I'm working on another piece for my Industrial Shoreline series! I still need to put art on my walls and tweak some hanging space for papers but its all mine, I even have a little coffee corner with a kettle! I hope you'll stop by sometime....