Here They Come!!

Do you know that here they come! scene in "It's a Wonderful Life"? Right after George and Mary are married, the camera shot is a close up of Cousin Tilly as she shouts, "Here they come! Here they come!", and the new Mr. & Mrs. George Bailey head down the stairs in complete and total joy over their recent union. Oh, there is excitement and joy in the air, and life is oh-so-good at that very moment!

I feel like Cousin Tilly, except I am at the top of the stairs leading to our basement . . . announcing that I have completed the moving of furniture and organizing of a room that has become . . . well, quite frankly, a mess. Here They Come!!! friends, Here They Come!! The photos from of my studio space . . . . ah, I'm so glad to be on this side of the project. Finally.

The challenge? To take our basement and somehow, someway, turn it into a place that was not only my art studio, but a space where Phil Guy (my dearest husband) could close the door, escape, and watch one of his favorite sci-fi files, and in additionally, a place where the girls toys could be housed, and our family computers could hang out. I guess it's kind of like a "union"of sorts . . . like George and Mary Bailey.

Although, this one is more like stuffing a 10 pound turkey in a 5 pound bag.

There isn't a great deal of space available. But I had faith that it could be done.

A few months ago, the basement could be found taking on a creative life of it's own, with projects in the works and life moving in and out at record speeds . . .

But then . . . .

I think a bomb went off.

Our basement had become a nightmare over the holiday season. That's what happens when you are preparing for art & craft shows, have a millions things to accomplish in a day, and just don't have the time to devote to it. So, it became the catch all. When I started the task (about two weeks ago) I found the room looking like . . . this . . . (brace yourself) . . .

Really. I'm not proud of it. Here's another view, just in case you didn't get the full affect . . .

So, I went to work on it.

And it was . . . PAINFUL.

I am sure my family is tired of me talking about it. It was NOT pretty.

But I had a goal and a vision in mind. I knew I needed a place to sit and relax (therefore, a couch or love seat would be required), and I knew I still needed a place to create. I also knew that I needed to fill the walls with inspiration and art that would motivate me to continue living my creative life to its fullest.

And while there are still some things to be done (and some bins to be gone through), and while it really could use a fresh coat of paint (in perhaps a brighter and lighter color), I can finally . . . BREATHE in this space.

My friends, I give you . . . "my studio/TV room/computer/hubby hang out/kids play in" room.

We completely moved the table to the other side of the room, and picked up this cute little love seat (and adorable pillows) from Ikea. I love that RED is such a prominent color in this room. It provides energy and passion to me in all that I do in this space.

 

The center of the room is now completely open for the kids to dance in, do gymnastics in, build puzzles and play games in, and do whatever else their little hearts desire. It feels much more open in this space, and I am loving it!

 

My work desk has moved to the right of the couch. (Boy-oh-boy - that electrical box sure sticks out like a sore thumb, huh? I will do something to hide that. The reality is, though, that this IS still a basement. Lighting is limited, and there are still "basement things" that have a home here. So, we have to work with what we have.) I took one leaf out of my work table, so that I could fit it in the corner of the room now. I know I have gotten ride of some of the work space that I had, but it needed to be done to open up the space in the center of the room. It was worth it.



 

On the wall to the left of my table hangs my inspiration. A couple of Kelly Rae Roberts prints that make me happy, a tile that was a gift to me by artist and dear friend Elizabeth Gonzalez, and a few of my OWN art pieces. I just LOVE how this wall looks. When I sit at my table and glance up, I feel so happy. That's what this space needed to be, my friends. HAPPY.

 

 

Lots of little storage boxes and containers can be found. This box to on the right is a hand-painted cigar box that Phil's Aunt Vicki made. She is an amazing artist and paints the most intricate and vibrant designs. I have a few of her boxes and they look PERFECT in this space, and are so functional, too!

This BELIEVE board contains some of my favorite photos and cards received on this creative part of my life, and is a constant inspiration to me. It has a prominent place in my studio.  

 

Vintage wallpaper samples, photos, and sheet music is just an arms length away - right at my finger tips - and ready to be used in a piece of art. I love having everything handy, right where I need it!

 

I desperately needed some additional light in this space, so I picked up these funky white "bulbs" from Ikea (they were only $14.99). They give off lots of light which helps so much when windows are at a minimum. 

My Phil Guy Bobble Head . . . Oh, how it makes me smile. I think this was a give-away with a McDonald's happy meal, or something, a few years ago. The girls weren't using it, so I found a perfect picture of my dear Phil and put it in the toy. It has remained near my work space since that day, and always will. It makes me feel like he is near me always, even when he is traveling for work and may be thousands of miles away. I love it!

And one of my most prized projects - my Brave Girl Soulbook made at a class with Melody Ross at The Creative Connection Event in 2011. This book reminds me how I felt at the beginning of my creative venture, when I felt on top of the world! I love having it near me, and often pick it up and read what is within it's pages. This book will ALWAYS be so special to me (and looks so lovely next to another one of Aunt Vicki's boxes.)

So, there you have it.

Is it cluttered? Heck, yeah. Remember . . . I'm trying to fit 10 pounds of turkey in a 5 pound bag. But I have a GREAT handle on where EVERYTHING for my creative life is, and Phil finally can close the door and watch a movie as loud as he wants (I forgot to take photos of the other side of the room, where the computers, toys and television are! Oh, dear . . . that's another day!) and the girls have a place to do whatever they want.

It feels good.

Now . . . I'm ready to make some art.

And it's going to be fun!!!!

Thanks for sitting through my studio tour. I'm so happy to be able to share it with you. And I'm wishing you all a wonderful day of peace, and organization!

Peace, my friends.