Some thoughts on having a studio

This morning I left home and ‘went to work’. I haven’t officially had a place of work, to go to, for more than 12 years now. Though I do leave home to go and teach workshops, this felt different.

The first day of what I hope might be lots and lots and lots. I’ve signed a 3 month lease; at this stage that’s a lot of days and I don’t yet know if I’ll be able to cover the rent to continue past that.

So I’m going to make the most of it while I can.

I’ve had many different studio spaces over the past 14 years; since I left my proper full-time work (for maternity leave), and then decided to not go back to work again. And instead to try and make money from my creativity.

Most of these spaces have been either in a corner of a spare room or the corner of the kitchen or loungeroom. The giant weaving I made last month was set up in our bedroom.

Having a space of my own is mighty exciting. I told my daughter today I hoped she wouldn’t have to wait until she’s 41 to have a studio of her own.

For me having this space is about more than just the physical space to create work; it’s the fact of ‘backing myself’ by committing to paying rent. And my husband backing me too, by making sure we can make it happen - financially and logistically with the children.

It will mean more work for him, I imagine. But, in the same way that he was there for me when I wrote my book, I know he’ll be there for this too. While creating his own work and running his own business as well.

I’m going to allow my days to evolve, and not force anything, but I must be honest and say I will always be thinking of the fact I’m paying rent, I’m away from home, I’m asking my husband to be more present and active in the home and parenting roles, which has given me space to be more active in my personal creative self.

Today - my first studio day - I hung some fabrics and stitched pieces. And I started sewing a new quilt. My 4yr old suggested to me I could make quilts for people to buy, who have forgotten how to sew and I told him that was a very good idea indeed.