Creating Space

I've learned in the past year or two that things do not happen unless I schedule it: workouts, coffee dates, even play time with my kids. While playing with my kids, I've learned that creative play happens most in creative space. 

Two or three months ago I gave the kids two creative shelves in the kitchen. It has their markers, crayons, coloring books, construction paper, old magazines, and a tub full of strange things that kids put on their creations --- googly eyes, Popsicle sticks, stickers. 

Why shouldn't that carry over to artistic endeavors?

Tomorrow I am going to visit a friend and fellow artist and she has a HUGE studio full of every kind of artsy play thing imaginable. I don't, but I have spent today decluttering and setting up creative spaces around the house. So, without further ado, check out my "studios"!

Exhibit A: My Spot

 A wonderful, dear and close to my heart  friend gave me this box full of presents for my birthday. I have since whittled away at the gifts, and refilled the box with pastels, pastel paper, watercolor pencils, graphite, charcoal, and various drawing pads. Every time I open it, I see the note that she wrote for me along the top, and it reminds me that I am loved and known. It also diffuses any self doubt I have about art as I reach for some paper. 

More often than not, I find myself sitting in this spot with a cup of coffee nearby, reading to the kids or talking on the phone. This is also the perfect perch to do some gesture sketching while the kids play. 

Exhibit B: The Thinking Place

Honestly, I do not get to spend a lot of time here, mostly because it is often much, much, much more cluttered than it looks right now. I'm hoping this blog will help change that. I often sit here to write posts, or liststorm, or reseach and watch tutorials for all kinds of things.

Exhibit C: On-The-Run

You'll have to forgive me - I can't quite get this picture to rotate, but, here it is. I'm always changing purses, so I enjoy things that are easily transferable from one bag to another. It's not always feasible, but if I find myself in a waiting room, a long road trip, or in a car with two sleeping babies, I'm very thankful to have at least a pencil on hand. I try to keep a pen around too, and at least this set of regular colored pencils. 

What about you? How do you create space or time for your hobbies?