We were counting down the minutes to the end of 2020, hopeful that this New Year would bring a bright new beginning that would replace the turmoil in our lives. Purging the worries of the past year, making room for healthier and happier times ahead – that was the plan. It may be starting off a bit rocky, but I’m still hopeful that we’re on the right path. Patience is a virtue that I’m still trying to cultivate. J
In keeping with that trajectory, I’m making room for new things to come into my studio, new ideas, new art materials, new themes . . . literally. Here’s what I’m clearing out:
Old paint clothes that are beyond crunchy
Battered brushes
Paintings I’ve definitely outgrown
Tubes and tubs of paint gone sticky or smelly
Rags, way too many containers and bits and bobs I’ll never use.
(SEE STUDIO TIPS BELOW)
I’m organizing the things I want to keep so I know where to find them. Maybe there’s a smidgen of procrastination in all of this, but I know one thing for sure, my mind has been cluttered with concerns over the state of the world and it’s time to clear it out so that beautiful flow of energy can pass through me again and ignite the Muse. I need a clear head to make room for the creative seed to take root and blossom. Change is necessary. Change is coming.
The light burns brightest when it illuminates a dark room. I want to thank you all for your encouragement, support and inspiration this past year. You have been the light in my world. Wishing you an amazing 2021.
STUDIO TIPS
I thought I’d share a couple of ‘studio tips’ with you and maybe even make this a regular feature in the Newsletter/ Blog post. So, here you go, a few items that make my life easier. If you have any questions, or suggestions of your own, I’d love to hear from you! Send me an email here.
MURPHY’S OIL SOAP is absolutely a necessity! It will clean the paint off virtually anything, including the clothes you had on when you just planned to do one little touch up and then head out the door and found yourself with that little ‘oops’ of paint. It cleans the paint off brushes, even hardened acrylic and works for water based oil paints, too.
The SILICONE SCRUBBY is easy on your skin and nails, much better than the nail brush I was using! It’s easy to clean and doesn’t clog up or get smelly.
And the STEEL WOOL gets stubborn bits of paint off the stainless steel sink and counter in my studio.
And it’s ALL from Dollarama, so you don’t have to pay the hefty art store prices for these easy clean up items.
I hope that makes life a little easier for you in your studio. If you have any questions, or suggestions of your own, I’d love to hear from you! Send me an email here.
If you have a moment to share a few of your thoughts with me, I’d love to hear how art has made a difference to you in this past year.
Be sure to check out the latest paintings in Abstracts, Sea & Land, and Sky.
BE SAFE. BE KIND TO YOURSELF AND TO OTHERS. WISHING YOU A HAPPY YEAR.