In the Studio: Rethinking

I started out this evening trying to get started on some paintings.  It was not happening, so instead, I took a breather and started trying to figure out what to do with my studio space.  I know that studios are not the most organized places.  My studio especially.  It is where the mess happens.  I have found, though, I don't really enjoy being in here when the mess gets out of control, which is often.  I need some way of taming it. It is time to reorganize and hopefully come up with a better functioning space that will not drive me crazy.

My studio is in my home.  It's a weird set up.  I have to walk through it to get from the bedroom to the rest of the apartment.  It's definitely not the first thing I like to see in the morning or the last thing I see at night, but it is what it is.  I'm thinking if I can make the space more ORGANIZED and more like a room instead of a space with piles of crap and unfinished artwork, then maybe it won't be so irritating to walk through.  Also, if it feels more inviting and less intimidating, then hopefully I'd be more inclined to spend more time in the studio, which would be a good thing.

Just to let you know where I'm coming from, here is a little tour of my humble studio space.

THE BEFORE:

This is the main area, the desk.  This is where I do most of my work, including painting.  I'm beginning to think that I need to invest in an easel so I can work on bigger pieces.

These are my paint bins.  All of my paint tubes are grouped according to color and then placed accordingly into the boxes.  The boxes are kept next to my work surface so my paints are always at arms reach.  This is probably the only area that is organized.  I'm assuming the easy accessibility is the main reason the paints get put away.

Here are my "random" bins.  They were suppose to help control the clutter, but now I think they just add to it.

And this is where I was going to organize the papers (sketches, transfers, etc.) for current projects, but I really couldn't tell you what is there now.

This is my amazing closet.  It holds most of my tools, some of my fabric, my tv as well as records and a non-functioning stereo.  My bad, the stereo acts as a bookend for the records.  I think a big problem in my studio is that my supplies are not grouped together in the same location.  My fabric, for instance, is kept in the closet, over by the desk and in another storage unit on the opposite side of the room.  I need to fix that.  I also need to move the records somewhere else.

Here is the other side of the studio.  It too is a dumping ground.  Here you can see my exercise ball as well as clean laundry, that probably won't get put up any time soon, and a cat tunnel that is much loved by both of my companions.

This is the inside of that storage unit.  Like I said, some of my fabric is in here.  My sewing machine is buried somewhere in there.  Also, it has, yet again, a bunch of random stuff that I didn't know what to do with so I shoved it out of sight.  Awesome.

I'm hoping I can create a comfortable, inspiring and organized space.  I'm planning a trip to Ikea soon.  I just need to locate a truck.  I'm expecting to come home with a couple of pieces of furniture that will help in my studio transformation.  I can't wait.  I'll keep you posted on the progress.