Here is my latest cage doll Santo (is a girl saint a santa? that's weird!!). Anyhoo, she's consigned to necklace duty in the bedroom and John says she is scary. He says when we fall asleep her head twirls around like Linda Blair's. I sorta hope so.
Journal pages. I'm going to start showing some in process as requested. I like to start them not having any idea where they are going and then watch them morph. I wrote about improv this morning and how much I love reacting to the moment in teaching; being willing to change course and responding to surprise. The journal pages are like that too.
I've uncharacteristically cooked supper 2 nights in a row. John just announced that he is cooking supper tonight. hmmmm. Is my cooking that bad? hee hee. (we know it is)
At the last garage party I noticed Nikki stored all her craft paints upside down so I came home and flipped mine over too (I keep them corralled in a box). Now i can see the color at a glance and the paint is ready to come out the tip when I need it. I feel like the 100th monkey.
And who's got the messiest studio? I can't seem to get it under control no matter what I do but I won't give up. I still have that recurrent dream of finding an extra room on our house. Actually we need about three.
Random studio shots.
Raku doll from about 20 years ago. I am still partial to her guardian spirit. Monoprint in the background.
Oh yeah. I need professional help.
This is a collage made by a friend of a friend. I thought it was really fun and so Portland.
Here is a little personal story if you have time. Over 30 years ago, when I was a broke young mother, I had a flat tire on a lonely country road. Both my young daughters were in the car with me and we were driving home after a school day. So there I was, without resources and stuck. Soon I see an old man driving from his farmhouse to help me. He fixes my tire and it takes about an hour. I wring my hands and thank him and tell him I wish I had money to give him as it has taken precious time out of his work day. I am so grateful.
And he says, "if we aren't here to help each other, what are we here for?"
I will never forget that day, that incident, those words. He is surely gone now but here is his action, his words, living on and rippling out in a hundred directions. xo
53 comments:
Thanks for the studio shots Judy! I love seeing other's work spaces! The messier the better I say!
you are such an inspiration.
hugs to you!
xoxo
i love the doll, just tell your husband to imaging her with big boobs and that might turn the direction of the dream!!lol
i love your studio pics, in reality it is like the most of us!! it may look messy but we know where everything is!!:)
Beautiful doll.
Beautiful artwork, wonderful pics of the studio. I think very few people's studios look like in the magazines and all those people cleaned up before the pictures were taken! Just live and breathe in it.
It's all good. Always wonderful to "hear" from you.
Thank you so much for sharing the pictures of your studio. You shouldn't feel bad about it being messy. Sometimes I look at those pictures of beautiful "decorated" studios and wonder if anybody really makes art in there. My own space is much like yours - overflowing with the stuff of possibility. I think it was Thomas Edison who said "To invent, you need a good imagination and a big pile of junk".
Your doll is beautiful! I also love the studio shots, it's comforting to see 'real' studio space.
My favorite though is the story of the man helping you out. He was so right: We are all connected to each other. As always-you inspire me.
I love your studio. the doll is wonderful . thank you for the flat tire story , I needed that today.
I think all artistic people struggle with gremlins who seem to make a uncontrollable mess of the studio space.
Thanks for the short yet touching story. Hugs!
Love the photos of your studio, it is like suddenly seeing the other side of the art journal and very exciting indeed. I don't think you will be invited to be in books like "where women create" but I doubt much creating is going on in some of those studios as they look like pretty glittery museums... ;-)
Take care!
My art room is about at the level of yours... however, I am not brave enough to take a picture of it! It seems like I always am in the process of cleaning it, or saying that I am cleaning it. Yesterday I was out in the backyard painting on 4 x 4foot canvas... no room in the art studio!
Hi!... from another Judy
I love your blog and was just looking at my RSS feed this morning wondering how you were doing and if you'd post soon. Thank-you for checking in!
Indeed, what are we here for if not to help one another! xox
Lovely story! I will remember that phrase. I have the same recurring dream as you and have done for years wherever I have lived-but have never until now associated it with having too much stuff-of course! I seriously need to stop collecting things and have a big clearout over the summer-it is my goal! I love your Santo doll-I have a fuill sized manikin in the bedroom which is actually quite scary-so John should count himself lucky! I also have dolls. I really need that extra room! I liked seeing your studio and am reassured by other people's mess!
Hallelujah for real studio shots. Those staged ones in magazines have no appeal for me. They depress me. Sorta' how a Martha Stewart Magazine affects me. Suddenly, I'm somewhat depressed and unhappy with what I have and how it looks. Or you start to wonder what is wrong with you for your home not to look so 'together' and beautiful. Thank you, sweet Judy, for showing the studio of a creative frenzy... how a real artist works! Seriously, those I see in magazines are not places I could work. I'd be completely frozen. Love your mess!!!!!!
Back home in Spain we say Santa, if she is female, she is a Santa.
Thanks a lot for the photo tour of your studio. You have a fair amount of clear space to work in, it is still too early to call the professionals :-)
Just when I think I can't love your posts anymore (because of your journals, your incredible photos, and art) you go and write more words that bring me to tears. Beautiful. You are going through such a hard time, but you are helping others and sending boundless inspiration everywhere. I really don't know how to thank you...I'll help someone else, how's that for a start? ♥ Kathy
your studio shots were wonderful, but truly that means you are a REAL artist as you have loved your supplies so well - the story about the flat tire is wonderful...
and so lovely in that his touching resonated just as your words resonate with us in blogland....
one day i hope to be you
I love your creative space Judy. You should see my kitchen table right now, it's bad. I just finished making a collage painting for my sons 4th grade teacher and there's little bits of paper and paint all over.
Wishing you well♥
Jenny
It was fun to see your space, my friend ! I think there is just something messy about mixed media people, artists who like to dip into many pots. It is fun to clean up every now and then - I did it two weeks ago, purged and tidied and organized. But as of now, it is looking pretty messy again. I have just decided that it just part of the wonderful process...
It was a real pleasure to see bits of your world again. And I love the sweet story...we are definitely all in this together...
Sending big love !
I almost laughed out loud when I saw your studio - mainly cause it looks like mine. Geez.
And your story - oh my, so touching.
Hope you are doing well.
xixi
I spent the day going through my studio, rotating out the art and putting up newer stuff and chasing dust bunnies. Want me to come do yours? I enjoy purging, organizing and all that good stuff. (yeah, I know, I am weird.)
I love the story. The Dalai Lama says "Kindness in my religion." Your story made me think of that.
Sending all kinds of good energy your way. *hugs*
Your studio looks like a place where work gets done. Not a prissy magazine shot.
Hi Judy,
LOL, now I feel like the 100th monkey for just finding your lovely blog. What a joy! The story about the tire + the man was so touching.
Oh the Linda Blair necklace duty doll had me nearly falling off my seat! You are hilarious + I'm so fortunate to be able to connect with you in this way as you put air in my inspirational tires!!!
Thank you so much for sharing the well of joy + wisdom that is YOU.
Gratefully,
Carissa
I'll bet you know where everything is in your studio even though it's creatively messy...I know mine is messy too, but I feel like if I cleaned it, after the first painting it would look like that again...so it stays messy. I love your work-my sister has taken workshops with you and I hope to one day as well.
I love love love the "mess" that's the best part about having a "studio". Mess it up, then just walk out for some fresh inspiration. Thanks for sharing all these images and mostly for sharing yourself. The story with the old man is heartwarming.
Keep well.
Oh you don't need help! Your an artist! We crafty types are like that...
Judy, Your journals inspired me. I keep some now that are pretty involved and was looking for a way that I could maintain the practice when times get nutty. I LOVE the short daily entries mixed with great images and big words.
Wow Judy, incredible journal pages, inspiring studio space full of yummy supplies and a wonderful story at the end. It's moments like that that shape us into the people we are today. I will now never forget those words he said to you either.
Oh and the doll is just gorgeous!!!!!!!!
I never saw those scary doll movies, so glad, and i think your santos/as is wonderful! I am in process in the studio making them for a show in Taos next month, and this one is great! love the story! awesome!!
I just turned all my craft paints bottom up. Thanks Judy! What a wonderful idea!
Love the doll.
Thank you for your story! Where would we be if not for the positive things in this world!
I love your studio and your journalling photos!
I hope you are having a speedy recovery!
Thank you for sharing!
Bless that man! May we all learn from him and continue that legacy.
I too love seeing that I am not alone in having a much less than pristine looking art studio.
I learned this past weekend in a class about turning the bottles upside down. Another student said she turns cottage cheese upside down too, as it prevents it from developing mold. Something about keeping the air out of the container. Instructor said same goes for liquid mask.
Do you realize how loud your voice is in your writing? ;-)
Oh Goodness Mercy! Your Santo is beautiful. Guardian of the Necklaces... I want to make one someday...adding it to my never-ending list of to-dos. You are such an inspiration. Be blessed!
I see many things in your studio that you've worked on over the last one or two years - and it's great to glimpse them again. I thought I saw the corner of a floor cloth. Love the checks. And appreciate the story of the man who fixed your tire. He's got my outlook - my "religion." (always have time for your stories!)
I love the visual of the Linda Blair head spinning around, you made me laugh. Hope you are well and getting healthier in your voice. Your studio is a marvelous confabulation of lots of parts. It makes me smile because I can see you creating so clearly right in the middle of all of it! Your hands probably know where everything is, even if your brain doesn't. Love all the faces- monoprints, dolls, you have so much company there. xox Corrine
i loved to see your space of work, and your art journal pages are lovely
i can't wait to see you post your journal process. I love your journals and wish you would teach near the east sometime. oh well,i can dream. I would like to know what kinds of pens you use and how you pick the images you use in your journals
two thoughts...
i'll come help you organize your stuff...if you'll come teach me what to do with my organized stuff...deal?
Love your story... I helped an older lady one day and she was so greatful "as an old lady to have some help and I told her "I'll be an old lady someday too" and she said to me... and it still gives me such a wonderful feeling...she said to me "and when you are old i'll come help you".
Your story reminded me of mine.
thanks! let me know when you want to start on the room.
I have the recurring dream of undiscovered spaces, too. It's always such a pleasant surprise for me!
And I also have the messy workspaces, one in the dining/library/office/storeroom, and one in the bedroom where I watch tv at night.
I think those magazine studios are just meant to make the rest of us feel bad - they certainly work that way for me!
you don't need professional help, you just need more SPACE! it's hard to contain all that creative energy in such a small area.
Yes, I am a messy too.
I have been thinking of you often, even though I have not written a bloody thing.
Just wanted you to know.
You should print out your blog pages and journal on them. Writing on writing. Your written blog entries are as wonderful as your journal entries.
Upside down paint containers. BRILLIANT!!
xo Karen
Love to take a look at your studio!!! Be glad to have one, messy or not! I would give a lot to have my own place!! The journal pages are gorgeous as always - and it is so nice (that's not the right word I guess... don't know how to say it otherwise...) to see/read you work in the same way as I do.
I LOVE your studio--it's so appealing to look at all the STUFF!! Wish I had a space that size!! Thanks for passing along the idea for storing craft paints. Genius!!
I am neat and organized and know where to find everything in my house. You make me wish I were messy. ;-)
Judy the head twirling comment made me laugh and the studio shots made me feel better. I went into my studio with my 9 year old grandson and he said it looked like an episode of Hoarders. Shock it looks fun to me! Keep having fun.
You'll appreciate my mess as I appreciate yours!
Click Here to compare messes!
And, I couldn't resist making a silly video
Click Here for silly video
Loved your story about the farmer. I, too, have always been fortunate to have strangers or family help when I needed it.Love the studio pics, too. Makes me feel more normal. Thanks for sharing.
loved the farmer story - think I may have to quote him!
I have an old man saying too. One day I was in line at the grocery store with two roudy kids and a VERY full cart. On old man walked up in line behind me with a tube of toothpaste. I asked if he'd like to go ahead of me and he said, "Honey (we were in Texas so that's an okay saying), if I'd been in a hurry, I'd a come yesterday". I try to remember that when I get frustrated about getting something done, it's often my own fault cuz I waited so long to start.
Lotta good wisdom available from our elders!
Your studio, creations and words make my day. So glad to have finally found your blog!
Yes, a female saint is a Santa (think Santa Barbara) but when you are talking about Saints in general you would say Santos, meaning, Saints in general.
Your creativity makes me crazy with inspiration! Love the photo of your studio, which takes away the feelings of "not being good enough" because my studio doesn't look like those in magazines!
You Rock!
you so do NOT need professional help....your studio chaos is so yummy! as long as you know where everyting is! then you're fine!
right!
ciao bella
creative carmelina
I want to hear more about the garage party. What do you all do? What ever it is I bet the neighbors can hear you laughing.
Love the doll!!!
Help each other...exactly!
I should clean my studio today but after seeing yours, mine is good. (grin) Now I can paint or clay or ...
See how you just helped me with my chores? ;)
Your studio is the best that I have ever seen... Can I come and vist please.
Oh and that Raku doll is wonderful I fully understand your connection with her.
Have a happy 4th July.
~ Julie
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