My parent's house has been and continues to be a station of transition for many in our family and is continuing to be for her grand-daughter and great-grand-daugther, the latter who is inseperable from my Mama's lap. Mama has never been a cooing-cawing type of grandmother and if anything a serious pragmatism has always characterized her but this one great-grand daughter has her wrapped around her finger...talk about mellowing with age.
Sunday we were there for dinner and basketball games (hey, i'm not a sports fan, but i can play along) and it hit me, not that it hasn't before, but not with such resolve that this would be a great solution...i'm going to set up a studio in their basement! Yesyesyes! its a good size basement and the only activity that takes place is laundry down there. It is stuck in early 70's remodel job that Daddy never finished and has a cave like quality because the panelling is dark but Mama said she didn't care what I did with it (talk about mellowing with age)...so I'm going to paint everything white including the concrete floor...but first I have to move out large items that are stored there including an old upright piano (a throwback to my piano lessons) a 60's stereo console (a throwback to my parent's parties where I first heard jazz and blues) a couch and other cast-off furniture pieces...the biggest challenge will be not to get sentimental by the memories that all the items will elicit and be tempted to keep them. I'm going to craigslist the console stereo and the piano, prolly for free for pick-up. I've already starting looking for organizational stuff and mats to buffer the impact of the concrete floor. I'm going to take before and after photos but have set the date for it to be completed by the end of May. I'm still going to take my daily month long art retreat in April simply because I desperately need it!
Hey this is great news both about the space that serves as such a viable answer to the question for studio space and also concerning your resolve to embrace the daily April retreat. I learn so much about "how to" take myself more seriously creatively simply by following the plot and flow of your shared experiences.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it a wonder that a solution can be so close to us that it's difficult to see it "right under our nose"? Yeah, for you seeing it. I look forward to following the transformation of that space.
ReplyDeletesounds like a great solution! Looking forward to pics.
ReplyDeletegreat solution! Hope your remodeling/decorating goes well :-)
ReplyDeletegreat solution! Hope your remodeling/decorating goes well :-)
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I'm eager to see the pictures!
ReplyDeleteIt's always in the last place you look. Congratulations on finding a space. I'm thinking of transforming my dark basement into a studio and have no idea where to start. I'll be interested to see how your redecorating goes.
ReplyDeleteYou go girl!!
ReplyDeleteAnd Acey is absolutely right!
wow, how about that? isn't that just how things happen sometimes? can't wait to see. basements are always great spaces....will the lighting be ok? .....and if you get all messed up you can throw yourself in the washing machine!
ReplyDeleteThis is just a wonderful turn of events. I am so happy. Plus, when you get fatigued, you will have a place to rest and nourish - with your mama. Hugs and smiles all around.
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant idea! I'll bet you will find lots of good karma there and it will be a warm, creative space. Hooray!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea!
ReplyDeleteAs soon as I read your headline I knew that you had found a good place to work. Excellent! For floor paint for your studio --Home Depot has this really great garage floor paint. It comes in white and has cool flecks in it. I put a high gloss shine on that bad boy. Looks GREAT in my studio. Also, don't be so quick to give up the console. I kept the one my parents had, painted it high gloss white (what can I say, I love mid-century modern design). I gutted the cabinet and use it for storage. Go wild, my sister. Also, get thyself to the nearest IKEA, Big Lots, and the thrift store for interesting storage ideas. Peace!
ReplyDeleteDeborah GB
I am so happy for you! You are an inspiration! Cheers.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful solution and I love all white workspaces...calmimg and exciting at the same time. Talk about a blank canvass ready for your artful goodness.
ReplyDeleteLooks great!! Now, IMWTK, how the heck did you get the piano out??
ReplyDeleteteri