on the move again

Hello friends,

I've been moving my studio around a lot lately. And it's happening again this weekend.

This time I think I can really say it's permanent (or permanent for a couple years, anyway)...

Here's the story for those of you who are at all interested.

This past March, I decided to move my studio OUT of my cramped apartment and into a real space with other artists. Many of you who read my blog (or my old blog) remember that I was nervous about this (working from home can be oh, so nice!!) but also very excited about the possibilities of having my studio out of my home. It ended up being a fantastic move. The catch was that the space I found was a sublet--in other words, I would only have it for 5 months. But it seemed perfect (location, space, light), and the studio mates seemed so cool (and, indeed, they were), so I took it.

 

And it was a blast. Best 5 months I've had in a long time. Like "summer camp," I have been known to say.

Then, sadly, a couple months ago, as I knew would happen all along, my sublet was about to end, and I had to find a new space. That's when I moved to a very large building called Yosemite Place, which is a compound for artists. It's an amazing building, old and industrial. I found two incredible studio mates there (I seem to be lucky in this category), and they rented me a space that I thought would work for me. In reality, I fell in love with them, and not the space. More on that in a moment.

So I packed up my stuff and moved to Yosemite Place. That was just two or so months ago. Moving is a pain, and I was really sad to be leaving my other studio, but I was also excited for a new start.

Then, from the moment I was in the new space, I knew I had made a terrible mistake. It was too small for me, and too dark. There was nothing I could do. An artist has to feel good in her working space. And so within a couple weeks I realized that it wasn't going to work, and that I had to find another studio and move again. I felt terrible, too, because I had to break it to my new mates (these two wonderful girls), who, incidentally, were very kind and understanding about the whole thing.

Then I began a search for yet another new studio space. Within 4 days I get a message from one of my former mates (from the place I'd loved and just left) that she was going to grad school for two years (on a whim) and would I like to take her space when she left at the end of September.

Yes!!

So, today and tomorrow I am moving back into my former studio, with my amazing studio mates, into the north end that has a sky light right above and a huge working table and lots of floor and wall space. I can't wait to get back in there and start working again and take pictures of the environment to show you. It's going to be awesome.

Not perfect timing (I have to take two days off from Rare Device to do this, and Rena and I are trying desperately to get the store set up so we can open ASAP), but all very good at the same time.

Happy day. Happy back breaking day of packing and moving, but happy day nonetheless.

Cheers.

Comments

[tonya]

if you could get all your readers to help it would be a snap. i will think happy moving thoughts from Tennessee but that won't help much.

[tricia of bitsandbobbins.com]

oh, i thought you had already moved back!

sorry we didn't get together yesterday. :(

[Mati McDonough]

gawd, it can make such a difference where you work. you know my space... yesterday my friend appeared out of the blue and said she'd help me for a couple of hours to re-arrange it... and now it feels like the "energy" has been re-aligned. if you want some help let me know!

[casey]

What luck!! :) Good luck with all the unpacking and setting up and all that good stuff. :)

[Dawn]

WOW...what a lot of work but it seems to have worked out for the best. Wish I could help you move. xo

[mimulus]

the road to bliss has lots of bumps doesn't it? SO glad your way is clear!

[Christelle]

Good luck Lisa ;)

[stephanie]

you are so right about having specific needs in your studio. for me, lighting plays the largest role.
congrats on the move..re~move..post~move....
on the "going home"

[Victoria E]

Woot - while moving is a pain in the ass (I've been doing it once a year for the past 6 years), it sounds like you'll finally be able to settle, which is a good thing because I can only imagine how busy you and Rena will be once Rare Device opens :O

[amy ross]

What a story! Agreed: can't make art when the work space isn't right. I can't wait to see studio pics soon.

[Nicole]

Yes, I agree, moving is the biggest pain. I still wish I had more space to work myself, but you do what you can. Congratulations on a great work space.

[erin]

what a story....glad it has a happy ending!

[Zoe]

Hey Lisa, I know how you feel with all the upheaval. But, at least you're going back to the space you liked so much :)

Zoe x

[erin lang norris]

OH that is just awesome! I'm glad something so wonderful happened to you, it's not often that people are given another turn with something great from their past.

Good for you, it's nice to hear that you feel at home again :)

[Marissa (aka mLee)]

Hi, I recently discovered your blog and am exploring it. My studio is in my home and while it is wonderful to be able to wake up and work in my jammies I do see how an outside studio shared with other artists would be wonderful. Maybe someday, my current life doesn't lend itself too well to the idea.

Great work.