Current Reality

Written on October 7, 2011 by in paintings on display, process Leave a Comment
studio photo 10/7/11

State of the studio as of October 7, 2011

 

Ahem. Yep, there’s a lot of work to be done before my studio is ready for the Western Wake Artists Studio Tour on November 12th & 13th!

This situation could be discouraging, but not when I remember that REALLY knowing your current reality is essential to creating. I agree with Robert Fritz: when you’re very clear about both your desired outcome AND your current reality, the structural tension between the two energizes your creation. In other words, it’s great to know you want to get to New York City, but how you get there will differ radically depending on whether you’re leaving from Atlanta or Chicago! So it helps to know that this is my starting point for the clean, organized and welcoming studio I plan to create by November 11th. I hope you’ll drop by to see the results!

Shows and events you won’t want to miss:

This Saturday, October 8th, be sure to catch Works of Heart: The Triangle’s Art Auction Against AIDS, at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh. Here’s the schedule:
Free Public Preview of available artwork, 11 am – 4 pm
Silent Auction, 6 pm – 7:45 pm
Live Auction, 8 pm – 10 pm

While you’re at the Progress Energy Center, you can also check out the Regional Artist Showcase in the Betty Ray McCain Gallery, which includes three of my Reservoir paintings. Or join us for the closing reception on Tuesday, October 18, from 5:30 – 7:00 pm. Either way, you’re sure to see a lot of great art in a beautiful space.

SPARKcon!

It was such a great experience to participate in SPARKcon this year (September 15th-18th)! I will definitely mark my calendar early next year so I can make it to more of the events. I enjoyed seeing so many of you at the artSPARK gallery, and of course it was extra fun that one of my paintings won first prize! Thanks for celebrating with all of us.

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SOTS: Houston, we are operational!

Written on November 6, 2009 by in studio stories 6 Comments


That’s right – after several weeks of clearing, setting-up, unpacking and organizing, my studio is finally operational! Woo hoo! It was such a thrill yesterday to actually work IN the studio after so many days of working ON it. Soon I hope to be able to show you photos of works in progress. Here are images of the whole process.

This isn’t the only project that’s coming to a conclusion, though. On October 22nd I finished a 21-day challenge to do 30 minutes of cardio exercise every day. That was a great experience, both working in the exercise habit and joining, with 30+ other questers, Dyana Valentine’s 40 Days of My Body challenge. Had a great visit with Dyana on the very day I finished my challenge – you can see the video interview here.

In September and October I participated in two of Alyson Stanfield’s online business classes for artists: Blast Off! and Cultivating Collectors. Finished the latter today! Learned a lot and met a bunch of other artists in the process. Check out Alyson’s marketing advice for artists at her Art Biz Blog.

It’s been a busy few months (add in a few travel excursions, as well), but I feel that all of these endeavors are building a strong foundation for the work to come. And I’m ready to get to it!

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More Studio Progress

Written on September 30, 2009 by in studio stories 2 Comments

Photos of yesterday and today’s results:

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SOTS 9/28

Written on September 28, 2009 by in Uncategorized Leave a Comment


090928_Studio
Originally uploaded by cmorf2000

Started on the studio today. Cleared half of the floor so tomorrow I can put down vinyl cloth (the bright blue roll leaning against the fireplace).

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SOTS 9/25

Written on September 25, 2009 by in Uncategorized 2 Comments


090925_Study
Originally uploaded by cmorf2000

Progress on the next wall yesterday and today. I have space in the middle of the floor to do exercises; all the give-away books have been taken to the local used bookstore (for cash & store credit – yay!); the homeless office supplies are at least stowed and accessible. I love this desk, but it doesn’t really fit this space, or any space in the house. Think I may sell it to help fund some storage cabinetry.

Plan to complete a small building project in here over the weekend. Look for the Before & After on Monday! Then it’s on to the studio.

Have a great weekend!

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SOTS 9/24

Written on September 24, 2009 by in Uncategorized Leave a Comment


090924_Study
Originally uploaded by cmorf2000

Yesterday’s progress on the study/studio reorganization project. Click on the photo for more details.

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State of the Studio (SOTS) 9/23

Written on September 23, 2009 by in Uncategorized 2 Comments

I’m finally fully unpacking and organizing my Study and Studio. Study’s first because it actually needs less work (you might not believe that based on the photos, but it’s true!), and because I need room in there for the stuff that will be moved out of Studio temporarily. So, it begins. Follow the progress in pictures: SOTS 9/23 photos .

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Moving Mayhem

Written on September 11, 2008 by in Uncategorized Leave a Comment

Well, mayhem may be too strong a word. Nevertheless, moving is quite disruptive, whether household or studio, and at present I’m doing both! The previous studio was great, but had become too much of a commute when we moved house a couple years ago. The newest location gives us room for both home and studio, so once all the transactions are complete (i.e., sale of previous home) there will be quite a savings in gas, rent, and utilities. Finally relocated all the studio stuff by the end of July (a BIG thank-you to everyone who helped). The new place is a fixer-upper, so there’s plenty to do to get both living and working spaces functional. Most of the studio is still in boxes, but I have managed to begin setting up the office/watercolor area and have even started a couple new pieces. Painting progress has been slowed by the onslaught of basement-soaking rains, which have kept me busy pushing around water, placing fans, and researching site drainage strategies. Here are some photos of the emerging office/watercolor room. The woodshop is in the basement, and not yet fit for viewing, but before the rain it functioned well enough for me to build the work surface shown in the photos. And what studio is complete without a supervising cat?

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