I spent some time preparing the studio for my return to work on Monday. I added a third Ikea Raskog cart to my collection and got it all filled up with supplies, washed my brushes (which had been languishing in dirty water for over a week), and reorganized things a bit.
For those of you who are new to the blog, I live in a bachelorette. It has a cabin kitchen and one room, which serves as my office, bedroom, livingroom, and studio. The studio corner is wee, but it works and I’m grateful.
Look at that view! I love how the patio doors make it feel like I’m outside, when I’m actually toasty warm inside.
Beautiful light all day long.
These Ikea carts saved my bacon. There’s no way I’d be able to work in a space this tiny without them.
At night, I have good lamps to work with, which helps a lot. I got these from an office supply store. They clamp on to the table.
I love these carts so hard.
I picked up the table from Curry’s. It was $180 on sale and the legs are adjustable, so I can a) art standing up, which has been really good for me and b) fit my carts underneath it when they aren’t in use. When I’m not working, I can remove the lamps and put a nice table cloth on it, and voila. My space takes on a whole new look and feel. I usually just leave it covered in the detritus of whatever art I’m making, though. I like having a creative mess in that corner of my space. It’s somehow inspiring.
I’ve been working on Radiant.
That’s pretty much been the major focus of my life since October 1st. I have one lesson left (and a bonus, I think) before it’s over and I am already feeling really wistful about it. What a great experience it has been, learning from the likes of the guest teachers in this amazing dream team of mixed media artists! Here’s what I’ve produced so far:
The ultimate class notebook, which we have been filling up with screenshots and notes and sketches and deliciousness throughout the course of the class.
The Mystic. My own creation for this class.
The Nymph, inspired by Jane Davenport
The Inner Child. Inspired by Tamara Laporte
The Girly Girl. Inspired by Christy Tomlinson
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Mandala 1 - Markers
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Mandala 2 - Coloured Pencil
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Mandala 3 - Paint
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Mandala 4 - Limited Palette
All these mandalas were inspired by Julie Gibbons lesson on The Inner Goddess.
The Watcher. Inspired by Kylie Fowler
The Dreamer. Inspired by Jamie Dougherty. This is actually done on a composition notebook meant to be used as a dream journal.
These three paintings of The Stranger were inspired by Dina Wakley.
This is my favourite of the three.
That’s a lot of work to do in less than two months time, but the time has FLOWN. I will be creating my take on Joanne Sharpe’s Doodle Doll meant to represent the Inner Artist next week, and then the class will stay up until October 31, 2015 so folks can take their time and dip in. It was originally meant to be 18 lessons, but with the additional mandalas and the three Dina inspired paintings, we ended up with more like 23. Crazy.
The class is yours for $89 if you want it. Click here.
It’s downloadable (forever access on your hard drive) and I’ll be around until next year to provide assistance and feedback.
And that’s it for me for today. I am feeling oodles better and I’m actually going to venture out tonight to meet my friend, Caroline and her new beau, Will. We’re going to go see my son perform at Imbibe. It will be nice to be out of the house for a while!
Have a beautiful weekend.
hi effy. your portraits are beautiful. i especially love the “i see you”…you got this one right on the money….and she(you) has a twinkle in her eyes too.
i’ve been reading your posts with all of their ups and downs. many,,,too many of us have been there. i remember the fear and the grief. yes, grief. you go through all of the stages. and things do get better. slowly, painfully, and bit by bit. i’m 74 now and happily splashing paint about in my dining room/studio. but sometimes, when i can’t sleep i get swept back to that time in my life when i was a 30 year old, single mother of 2 with no job and little hope…and i find myself in mourning for what could have been…..if i had just moved forward instead of wasting time feeling sorry for myself
i watched the video that wyanne posted. that’s one brave thing she did. i am in awe of her strength. what a wake-up call.
my love to you effy. you have a wonderful life ahead of you.
thank you for these wonderful portraits…and i agree with irene in that the watcher is my favorite. she has a knowing look on her face. hope you continue to get stronger everyday.
Here you are, back on your blog, sharing your life with us – your home, your studio. You’re showing us how you downsized everything, created this beautiful living space, and blend it together with a studio, in a tiny space, that houses a thriving art journaling business, puts out beautiful journal pages like those in Radiant Faces, also runs Book of Days, guests on LifeBook and 21 Secrets, provides us with Wildly Inspired for free, and who knows what else. You’re a mixed media star! For anyone who aspires to be an art journaler, and especially those with limited resources and VERY limited space, you are inspiration personified. Thank you Effy, for all you’ve done, for all you continue to do. You are our Tribal Priestess (sounds prettier than Chief).
You rock!
How one choose a favourite…all the portraits are just wonderful. I love that you create in the smallest of spaces. It just shows that inspiration and creativity can be done anywhere, you just have to be working. Thank you. ♥
I love how you have organised your living space. I love how your Ikea carts fit just right beneath the table. I love that your patio door makes it appear as if you are working outside, while you can be snug and warm, but looking at snow and wild animals. I love how you pour your heart out on FB and here, and wherever else you go to let go. I love your love of your tribe and the way you always show it in the things you do and say.
You are more than artistic inspiration to me, you inspire my life, and are a wonderful role model. I’m glad you are part of my life, Effy Wild. I love you for who and what you are, and for all you do. Thank you for being you.