Tuesday, December 28, 2010

What A Difference Some Paint Makes!

I love this time of year. The hustle and bustle of the holidays are over and a new year is just around the bend. But by Christmas, my studio often looks like a craft store exploded...not a pretty sight! So to usher in the new year, I always like to start with a clean slate...or I should say a clean studio.

But this year, I wanted to do a little more than just scrape the papier-maché off the walls and scrub the paint from the floor. I wanted to make my work space more of a "creative space." My studio is not large, approximately 8 feet x 12 feet. I do have a much larger work area outside of this space that I do the real messy stuff in, but my primary space to create is my studio. The white walls and no-nonsense approach to my space were previously very utilitarian - it got the job done. But that's exactly what it was feeling like...a place to work, not a place to create. In a recent issue of Studio's magazine, some wonderful work spaces by some wonderful artists were showcased; Johanna Parker, Scott Smith, Dani Nelson...all featured amazing spaces that were not just a place to work, but a place to "create."




I realized after reading the magazine that my work area doesn't have to be all work and no play. Just adding some color to the walls could transform the space into something much more creative! And add color I did...orange, yellow and black! Since I love creating Halloween-inspired art all year, I felt the colors would perpetually keep the mood going. For me, painting the walls these colors was a step outside my comfort zone, but I can honestly say that I'm loving it! The space now feels like a creative sanctuary and not a utilitarian work room.


 Now, if I can just get past the feeling that I need to keep it clean and pristine, maybe I can actually start getting some work done.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Chicken Lips on Spookytime Jingles

Wow! Has it really been a month since my last post?! I've been so busy with my Christmas shows and getting ready for the holidays myself that I find it tough to get everything done that needs to be done!


Thankfully, I managed to get two new characters finished just in time for the December update of Spookytime Jingles . Say hello to Jingles the Snow Angel and Petey the Party Pumpkin. Okay, so Petey is not really a new character, but a new version - standing atop a wooden block with vintage Halloween scenes decoupaged on the sides.


Both creations are looking for a good home. Stop on by Spookytime Jingles and take a look to see more photos of each.