Simply..creative chaos....

30/7/2018

Before I could tackle the chaotic studio it was important to me that the rest of the house was calm and orderly. This took no time at all as thanks to Fly Lady routines which are second nature now, and my previous Kondoing, my house is, on the whole, a calm place - that 'click point' has been reached and I love it!

I have had a major block about my painting and unblocking is proving difficult. I've lost direction. Maybe I should write rather than paint. I've been a painter for twenty years. I've painted and sold several hundred works. Maybe I'm 'painted out'. I am hoping that clearing the studio will clear my way forward.

I will put that decision aside and deal with the practicalities of the physical stuff. Firstly I have created categories::

Saleable finished work large, medium and small
Finished works I want to keep (I may move these to another room)
Unfinished work
Blank canvasses
Work on paper which I will put in the plan chest (a major clearing task in itself)
Sketches, notebooks, cuttings, postcards etc - masses of this!
Materials - oil paints/watercolour paints/inks/pastels/brushes/pens/paper/sketchpads
Packaging (takes up a lot of space)
Old frames
Related paperwork (I have not been good at keeping records)

Quite a lot to accomodate in a space just under 3 x 4 metres.

One of the things I love about the studio is that I can play music there as loud as I like! Oscar Peterson helped me on my cleaning/clearing way - it seems to take up part of the anxiety area of my brain....

I was going to spend half and hour.

I spent more than half a day.

Progress!

Heavenly scent and warm wishes help keep me calm..

12 Comments

Mary

31/7/2018 01:31:51 am

The good news is that you don't have to decide how to be creative in one day (one week, one month...), nor do you have to choose one creative outlet over another (painting vs. writing) as you have more than sufficient talent for both! As you indicated in your previous comment to me, perhaps there is a bit of fear about what you will face once all the rest of your spaces (studio, shed) are clear. Understandable. It might be that having these untidy spaces has been a place for you to leave more than just a pile of things, It may also have been a safe place for you to metaphorically leave some chaotic feelings that may have remained unresolved since Barry died. Untidy space. Untidy feelings. Like most things in life, no simple answers, but it seems you are ready to move forward--so play that music as loud as you like and keep the momentum going. The other sound you will hear is your readers loudly cheering you on. xo

Freda

31/7/2018 01:02:41 pm

i am almost in tears reading your insightful comment Mary - feelings are messy and not easily tidied or organised and I had not made that connection which I believe is spot on. The support I get from you and many readers of this blog is so very very valuable to me.

Linda

31/7/2018 01:34:32 am

Creative bubbles rising to the surface again. You've done it with the garden , studio and painting next. Well done Freda!

Freda

31/7/2018 01:03:24 pm

Oh thank you Linda.

Gail

31/7/2018 04:45:04 am

Ma (Japanese term for white space) is pregnant with fresh possibilities. When you get this all done, and you will bc you already have the organization skill set and the will, the ma will encourage you toward the next step.

Freda

31/7/2018 01:06:01 pm

The Japanese have some lovely subtle concepts (like wabi sabi) which I would like to know more about. Thank you for that Gail.

Julia

31/7/2018 05:31:23 am

Only you will know if/when you are painted out..but if you have sold several hundred works in 20 years of painting, that is completely incredible...completely! On a much more mundane note, we are here at the cottage and have taken 2 giant carloads to charity and 2 equally large loads to the dump for recycling etc. when our family arrived, they could feel the difference, een though most of what we took was not out and around...it was all in nooks and crawlspaces..but the energy was different! Maybe OUR energy is different too..:-)

Freda

31/7/2018 01:08:49 pm

Well dond and how wonderful that the family noticed. Stuck energy is being whooshed out of the studio every day now.....and my energy is certainly different too. Isn't it fascinating?

Lotta link

31/7/2018 10:51:53 am

I was thinking about the difference between clear space and empty space. One is full of joyful potential and the other can sometimes fill us with fear because there is nowhere to hide and we have to meet ourselves... But both good :-)

Freda

31/7/2018 01:12:37 pm

Marie Kondo says 'When your room is clear and uncluttered you have no choice but to examine your inner state'. A bit scary but so interesting too. You are so right Lotta. I've always said I love empty space, but clear space suggests good energy...

cath

31/7/2018 11:58:16 am

That's an impressive list of categories you have made. And even if it is an impressive list of objects to find space for in your studio also I think you have made a really big step in, what is it again: just one day.

I love the fact that you are - once again- willing to share this process with us as I am aware the courage it takes to tackle what must at times feel like a really vulnerable process.

Just a thought: could what you call a block (about your painting) be a protection?

The kamperfoelie (honeysuckle) goes well with the card.

Freda

31/7/2018 01:17:28 pm

Oh yes. Protection. Stirring up memories - even happy ones - can be painful. I get so much back when I share here - so much wisdom, insight and humour. Vulnerable? Yes. But aren't we all. Thank you Cath.

Simply..creative chaos....

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