Well, we survived that and the snow is gone. I've been out of the village for the first time since Dec 13th - a quick scenic spin on the motorbike. Time to survey the damage to my pots and round up the causalities. I seem to have lost most of my herbs, including some old friends like my twisted little rosemary bush, which had such a pungent aroma. Andy's been clearing the ground for our new big poly tunnel, his Christmas present from his parents (thank you very much Mr and Mrs M) which will take up most of the left hand side of the plot.
My poor little studio has not been tidied for weeks and I could barely see the floor. I didn't really want to either, as the rug was almost grey with - stuff - in places. In my defence, I had confirmation of my other illustration job this month, and am now juggling it with the design work. Both of these have spring/early summer deadlines and both are full time jobs in themselves, so things have slipped somewhat. Look away now, if you have delicate nerves.
By: Paintgranny,
on 9/10/2008
Blog: Middle of Nowhere (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Sue Woollatt, inside my studio, moving studio, studio tour, Add a tag
I love my studio. I never thought I would be lucky enough to have such a comprehensive collection of books and equipment, all of which are invaluable to me as an artist. It has all been carefully garnered over the years, mostly cheaply or for nothing. It is my nest, my solace, my friend. I've posted pictures of it before, and I don't think the Internet will break if I post a few more. As so many of us love looking at other people's books (I certainly do!) I have kept these pictures quite large, so if you want to click on an image, you can browse some of my thousands (really) of books.
This is my main notice board, with various cards from friends - artist and otherwise. The gorgeous dog print is 'Charlie', a superb wood engraving from my printer friend Sue Woollatt. Handy pile of sketchbooks, sewing basket, and that velvet embroidered church runner I found in a jumble sale for about 10p, circa 1985.
This is my main notice board, with various cards from friends - artist and otherwise. The gorgeous dog print is 'Charlie', a superb wood engraving from my printer friend Sue Woollatt. Handy pile of sketchbooks, sewing basket, and that velvet embroidered church runner I found in a jumble sale for about 10p, circa 1985.
The right hand wall, a happy medley of nice books, boxes of paper treasures and toys. And two massive stacks of dvds (from the time before we caved in and aquired a TV). Madeline, a rag doll I made when I was about 18...she was supposed to have a dress. I planned to go into business and make lots of rag dolls, but that was way back in the mid 1980's, before universal internet and long before Etsy was born. It never happened.
Can one ever have enough picture books?
I don't think so...
My work table, just how I like it. I can't work in a mess. A few new needle felt toys sat waiting for...something. And the beginnings of an oil painting I keep trying to find time for.
The left hand corner...
...and my other 'best bookcase'...this one I rescued from a stone outhouse in a graveyard, where I was employed to mow the grass. It was in a damp corner and used for storing paint cans on. I rescued it (with the vicar's permission of course!) and with some cleaning and waxing, it came up lovely. A nice honest bit of handmade country furniture, all wood jointed, with a lovely patina.
The way out...goodbye!
The full set of twelve 'round the studio tour' is on my Flickr page, here, with detailed notes as to what everything is.
1. Facing the studio door, 2. Notice board, 3. Craft book collection, 4. Oak bookcase, 5. Right hand wall, 6. Picture books, 7. Vintage picture books and toys, 8. Work Table, 9. Left hand corner, 10. Best bookcase, 11. The way out
1. Facing the studio door, 2. Notice board, 3. Craft book collection, 4. Oak bookcase, 5. Right hand wall, 6. Picture books, 7. Vintage picture books and toys, 8. Work Table, 9. Left hand corner, 10. Best bookcase, 11. The way out
27 Comments on Studio shots (again), last added: 9/27/2008
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Jack and Jill Book 1963 ..... oh is that the comic? When I started school, I can still remember my very great disappointment that I couldn't read my Jack and Jill comic after my first day!!! I shall have to show Malcolm the photos of your studio - he thinks I have a lot of stuff!! I hope your garden recovers - some of our shrubs are starting to revive after being flattened, so fingers crossed!!
Yes, it is the annual of the comic; I used to get it in the late 1960's, wonderful stuff!
My studio/office makes yours look neat. The Cotswolds is my favorite place. Rosemary
So glad to see you are blogging again.
What super books you have on your shelf. I have all my daughters old books and won't part with any -hubby would love a good clear out but they are such treasures!!
We have been busy creating our little blog shop - pop over if you want to see what we have been up to(follow Sisters Crafty Creations link from my blog)
Your books are beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.
your working space is beautiful gretel. i love all the little bits you have, hear and there, round and about. i would love to sit at your bookshelves and look through each and eavery book.i am in the midst of a super mega clean at the moment but it will never be a homegrown cosy area like yours.dx.
I can make no derogatory about your studio as mine needs a good thorough straightening. Is that a brontosaurus high up on your shelf? Love the tidied version of your studio. Who plays the guitar????
You won't be able to find anything now you know......... I know this from experience.... and why aren't there cats draped over everything?
Great collection of "stuff".......just great!
An 'organic' room, it definitely evolved and wasn't the result of intelligent design!
I think I would feel quite at home there!
Am determined to make jam out of all the frozen strawberries I have. THIS WEEK! or maybe next
Personally, I believe it is an impossibility to be creative and neat and tidy at the same time!! You studio looks like it has a lot of treasures and inspiration packed into every nook and cranny.
Love the books.
Well done, PG. I did a bit of a clear out in this apartment yesterday. Woke up this morning, took a look around the place, and didn't see any improvement at all!
Guess I have to give it another go next week. Funny thing is, I actually do better with a certain degree of clutter around me. Friendly folliage, indoors style.
Hoping that some of your garden will have the power to survive.
Best wishes to you as you juggle those assignments and explorations. Thanking you again for your comments and also for letting us go along with you on those walks round the great outdoors! xo
Glad you are free of snow - that's our job for today, clearing all the snow-created debris from the garden & taking it to the dump. A poly-tunnel eh? What are you planning to plant? Exciting!
As to your studio, that makes me feel a whole lot better about my houseful of stuff (no studio to confine it to!) I must sort out my 'art corner' now, having finally got the OK that the potato illustrations are finished. What am I going to do now??
I find it impossible to keep tidy and I'm sure too much tidiness is the sign of a deranged mind!
Janet, yes it is some kind of *saurus*, she's is called Flo. I used to play guitar, and I try to get a bit of practise in, but I never do - but I keep it handy, just in case!
Cathy, there are NO CATS allowed in the studio, and they don't even try. I can't afford to have cat hairs in valuable work or have my felt things trashed, so it's a no-go zone for all felines. I'm actually pretty anal when it comes to knowing where things are, so hopefully nothing has been TOO tided away!
And in the midst of it all you produced even more beauty. Looks like home to me.
I have a few of the same books as you and I WANT ALL THE OTHERS TOO! I love your studio, it's filled with inspiration and comfort. Thanks for the visit Gretel! :)
Looks exactly like a extremely creatives work space should look! Cluttered = inspiration everywhere.
Everything looks so comfy and intruiging - mine's just a big mess even after it's tidied! I had a big laugh about the jars of jam and chutney, it was a very familiar scenario .....Looking forward to seeing what you grow in the polytunnel.
Labels? What labels! Mine are just a jumble on the shelves mostly although I did use some heat set ones on the jams.
Looks tidy to me before and after. Mine is much worse at present mostly due to a spot of kitchen renovation - all that stuff had to go somewhere for a while :)
Seriously though - how can you be creative and work on several things at once and be minimalist tidy. I look at some of those magazine pics and wonder if anyone even lives there, much less if they do anything useful.
viv in nz
Ahhh, a good clear out is wonderful isn't it? I'm overdue for one too. And I'm SO glad to know that I'm not the only one with unlabelled jars in the cupboard...I think it makes dinners much more adventurous.
I am so glad to see that someone elses house does not resemble a show home all the time. I think it's the flip side of being creative that sometimes we leave our stuff to gather. Having said that however Mason du Rose is looking particularly 'windswept and interesting' at the moment and we've got a burns night party tonight, ooops. Vikki xx
And behold, it is well and truly tidied! Well done.
Sorry to hear about your herb casualties, though.
If things didn't get untidy I just don't think we would like it so much when they were, I know I wouldn't.....poly tunnel sounds very exciting.